John Zeratsky

John is a design partner at Google Ventures, where he helps startups succeed by focusing on user experience.

During his four years at Google, John led design projects for YouTube, AdWords Editor, DoubleClick Search and Google Help Forum. He worked with product managers, engineers, researchers and other designers to create and launch products that solve problems for real people.

John also helped create FeedBurner, used by millions of web publishers for distribution, analytics and monetization. He designed application UI and marketing materials, wrote boatloads of copy, provided customer support, and acted as ad hoc product manager in a busy startup environment. FeedBurner was acquired by Google in 2007.

He’s an active advisor to startups and friends with crazy ideas. He loves turning ideas into products and understands the central role of user experience in the success or failure of those products.

Previously, John ran a small design agency, designed a daily newspaper, and taught sailing. He studied journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and two crazy cats.