Based in Pasadena, California, ProRata builds technology that enables generative AIs to properly attribute contributing content and share revenues on a per-use basis. By doing so, the company protects creators while helping to prevent unreliable content from compromising AI results.
Investors include Idealab Studio, Revolution Ventures, Prime Movers Lab, and Mayfield Fund.
Founded by Bill Gross
ProRata was founded by Bill Gross and incubated at Idealab Studio. Gross is widely credited with inventing the concept of the pay-per-click monetization model for Internet search when he founded GoTo.com in 1998. After a successful IPO and becoming the global market leader in paid search, the company was acquired by Yahoo! Today, his pioneering model powers the multibillion-dollar online search market and is used by millions of websites around the world.
Since 1996, Idealab Studio and Idealab have launched more than 150 companies that have turned into over 50 acquisitions and IPOs.
WHO WE ARE
Meet the team
BILL GROSS
Chief executive officer
Bill is Co-founder and CEO. He’s also Founder and Chairman of Idealab Studio, a leading technology incubator. Over the last 30 years, Idealab has created and operated more than 150 companies and had more than 50 successful IPOs and acquisitions.
TAREK NAJM
Chief technical officer
Tarek is an experienced technology founder of AI start-ups. He’s also a former Distinguished Engineer and Technical Fellow at Microsoft, where he built their online advertising platform and managed a team of over 2,000 high-performing professionals.
Current AI answer engines rely on shoplifted, plagiarized content. This creates an environment where creators get nothing, and disinformation thrives. ProRata is pro-author, pro-artist and pro-consumer. Our technology allows creators to get credited and compensated while consumers get attributed, accurate answers.
“Current AI answer engines rely on shoplifted, plagiarized content. This creates an environment where creators get nothing, and disinformation thrives. ProRata is pro-author, pro-artist and pro-consumer. Our technology allows creators to get credited and compensated while consumers get attributed, accurate answers.”
Bill Gross, CEO
BILL GROSS
Chief executive officer
Bill is Co-founder and CEO. He’s also Founder and Chairman of Idealab Studio, a leading technology incubator. Over the last 30 years, Idealab has created and operated more than 150 companies and had more than 50 successful IPOs and acquisitions.
TAREK NAJM
Chief technical officer
Tarek is an experienced technology founder of AI start-ups. He’s also a former Distinguished Engineer and Technical Fellow at Microsoft, where he built their online advertising platform and managed a team of over 2,000 high-performing professionals.
JONAS LEE
Chief commercial officer
Jonas is a start-up executive with extensive commercialization experience as a founder of multiple early-stage companies in diverse industries.
ANNELIES JANSEN
Chief business officer
Annelies is a global digital media transformation and growth expert with deep experience in developing global partnerships across media and commerce. Former VP Commerce Partnerships at Meta and Chief Digital Officer at News UK, Telegraph, and ITV.
MARCIA GOODSTEIN
Chief operating officer
Marcia has deep experience in internal operations, having managed and coordinated fast growing teams with complex dynamic structures at Idealab for 25+ years.
ERIK HORACEK
Chief financial officer
Erik is an experienced finance executive who has worked at companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500. He is passionate about helping technology startups achieve scale through using data driven insights to guide business decisions and ensure long-term financial health.
MARCIA GOODSTEIN
Chief operating officer
Marcia has deep experience in internal operations, having managed and coordinated fast growing teams with complex dynamic structures at Idealab for 25+ years.
ERIK HORACEK
Chief financial officer
Erik is an experienced finance executive who has worked at companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500. He is passionate about helping technology startups achieve scale through using data driven insights to guide business decisions and ensure long-term financial health.
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JONAS LEE
Chief commercial officer
Jonas is a start-up executive with extensive commercialization experience as a founder of multiple early-stage companies in diverse industries.
ANNELIES JANSEN
Chief business officer
Annelies is a global digital media transformation and growth expert with deep experience in developing global partnerships across media and commerce. Former VP Commerce Partnerships at Meta and Chief Digital Officer at News UK, Telegraph, and ITV.
Ian Ferreira
Chief product officer
Ian is an experienced technologist with both start-up and enterprise experience. He spent a decade at Microsoft in engineering leadership and product management roles. Recently, he ran the AI solutions team at AMD and was Chief Product Officer at Core Scientific AI.
Ian Ferreira
Chief product officer
Ian is an experienced technologist with both start-up and enterprise experience. He spent a decade at Microsoft in engineering leadership and product management roles. Recently, he ran the AI solutions team at AMD and was Chief Product Officer at Core Scientific AI.
