Simon Ru, Angel Investor

Simon Ru is a two-time founder, investor, and board member with over 20 years of experience building fintech platforms and two-sided marketplaces. He founded UpNest, which was acquired by Realtor.com/NewsCorp, and has served as a strategy advisor and sponsor at Berkeley SkyDeck, where he launched the SkyDeck Intern Scholarship to connect disadvantaged students with the startup ecosystem. His career reflects a focus on entrepreneurship, impact investing, and innovation. From early product roles at eBay and PayPal to scaling startups and advising accelerators, Ru has consistently worked at the intersection of technology, marketplaces, and social impact. He also extends his interests into documentary film production, serving as executive producer for Eating Our Way to Extinction. As an angel investor, Simon has backed ventures in AI and consumer platforms. His portfolio includes Scale Social AI and Mustard, highlighting his interest in early-stage companies that combine practical innovation with social and environmental impact.