Rob Hayes is a prominent venture capitalist and managing partner/director at First Round Capital, a seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco. He joined the firm in 2007 and has been instrumental in investing in early-stage technology startups, focusing on sectors like software, consumer internet, and enterprise solutions. Hayes has a strong track record with notable investments including Uber, Warby Parker, and Notion, contributing to First Round's portfolio of over 500 companies. His approach emphasizes founder support and hands-on guidance in the initial phases of company building.

Prior to First Round Capital, Hayes built a career in the tech industry during the dot-com era. He served as Vice President of Business Development at AltaVista, a pioneering search engine, and was a co-founder of NetZero, an early internet service provider that offered free dial-up access and grew to millions of users before being acquired by United Online in 2001. Earlier roles included positions at venture-backed startups, honing his expertise in scaling online businesses. Hayes is known for his insights into market trends and has spoken at industry events on topics like startup funding and innovation.

Hayes maintains professional ties with key figures in the VC world, including partner Josh Kopelman, co-founder of First Round Capital. He is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and contributes to the broader tech ecosystem through mentorship and advisory roles. While details on his personal life remain private, his career reflects a deep commitment to fostering technological entrepreneurship in the United States.