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Soleio

Co-founder of Combine (design-led VC), angel investor/advisor; former Head of Design at Dropbox and Facebook's 2nd product designer

ExecutiveLeads from the backOld schoolProductAISystems
A foundational product designer who has translated hard-won craft into shaping and funding the AI-era tools — and the designers who use them — that are redefining the practice.

Signature win. Designed the Facebook Like button and built Dropbox's design org from 3 to 40+, then helped capitalize the modern AI design stack (Figma, Cursor, Vercel, Perplexity).

The case

editorial · CCBEI · with sources
CraftFacebook's 2nd product designer; designed the Like button, Messenger, Groups; held the bar on products touching billions and led Dropbox design craft.9
CommunicationRenowned 'emotive connector' and recruiter; frames design as bridging what a company wants to become with what users experience — the clarity/legibility thesis embodied.9
BusinessInsists designers understand metrics, conversion, and business impact; scaled design as a value driver at Facebook/Dropbox and now picks durable AI-forward winners as an investor.9
Education[Education recalibrated toward editorial baseline] Built Dropbox design from 3 to 40+, recruited and developed top talent ('Yankees of design'); active ADPList mentor preaching 'get on the bike' hands-on learning.6
InnovationFounded Combine (design-led VC) and backs the AI creative stack — Figma, Cursor, Vercel, Perplexity, Replit, Framer; champions AI tools that amplify designers rather than replace them.9

Endorsed by peers

illustrative · opens with verified accounts
OverallI'd work for them86
CraftRaised my craft bar94
CommunicationMade the case for design94
BusinessMade design matter to the business94
EducationTaught me something I still use62
InnovationShowed me a new way to work94

Verified peers only — one tap with LinkedIn. Names stay private; we show role and industry. Bars are illustrative until the participation backend is live.

Stories

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