Ivan Zhao is an accomplished Asian American designer and technology entrepreneur. He is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Notion, a popular productivity tool that has gained widespread recognition since its inception in 2013. Born and raised in Asia, Zhao graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in computer engineering. With his passion for design and technology, he started his career as a product designer at Inkling, a digital publishing platform. Later, he joined True Ventures as a designer in Residence, where he got the opportunity to explore his entrepreneurial ambitions.
In 2016, Zhao co-founded Notion alongside Simon Last, another talented designer. Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, project management, and task management into a seamless collaboration tool. With a focus on simplicity and customizability, Notion quickly gained popularity among individuals and teams looking for an intuitive and flexible solution. As the CEO of Notion, Zhao led the company's growth and successfully secured funding from prominent investors, including Sequoia Capital and Index Ventures. His dedication and innovative approach have contributed to the success of Notion, which has become a revolutionary tool in the world of productivity software.