OpenAI appoints Laura Modiano to lead global Founder Experience

OpenAI has appointed Laura Modiano to lead its Founder Experience function at a global level, in a role based in London.

The newly expanded function will focus on supporting startups building on OpenAI technology from early development through to scaling. It will cover founder programmes, technical activation, ecosystem partnerships, investor relationships and startup community engagement.

Announcing the appointment, Modiano stated: “I’m excited to be stepping into a new role at OpenAI leading Founder Experience, taking the work I’ve been doing with founders, developers and investors across EMEA to a global level.”

On the startup journey, Modiano observed: “The jump from builder to founder is one of the most important moments on their journey: going from experimenting, hacking and prototyping to building a company, creating value for others and shaping what’s next.”

Modiano emphasised that the initiative is built on a guiding principle: “We’re building this function around a simple belief: if you are building in the service of others, then we are in the service of you.”

Founder Experience, Modiano noted, is designed to help founders “move fast, be supported from Day 1 and through every stage of growth,” while also amplifying startup stories across global ecosystems.

Laura Modiano has worked across technology, healthcare and venture ecosystems. Modiano joined OpenAI in 2024 working with startups before transitioning into the Founder Experience role in 2026.

Modiano has been an angel investor since 2021 and previously spent four years at Amazon Web Services, where Modiano led venture capital and startup business development across EMEA, with a focus on healthcare and life sciences.

Earlier in her career, Modiano advised startups and hospitals on technology and AI innovation, holding roles at NHS England and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.