# Shane Hegde

> Shane Hegde is the co-founder and CEO of Air, the New York company building a system of record for creative work. Air helps more than 100,000 creatives across 2,100 businesses collect, approve, and share visual content, managing 120M+ assets. A Stanford grad from Mangalore, India, Hegde started in TMT private equity, co-founded a fintech startup called Swap, and ran digital strategy at REVOLT before teaming up with college roommate Tyler Strand to build Air in 2017. In January 2025 the company raised a $35M Series B led by Avenir, backed by a syndicate of around 100 former CMOs and brand founders.

- **Role:** Co-Founder & CEO at Air
- **Organizations:** Air, Swap, REVOLT Media & TV, HPS Partners
- **From:** Mangalore, India
- **Nationality:** Indian-American
- **Education:** B.S., Stanford University
- **Known for:** Co-founded and scaled Air to 100,000+ creatives across 2,100 businesses, Air manages over 120 million creative assets, Raised a $35M Series B in January 2025 led by Avenir, ~$70.5M total funding

## Career timeline

- **2010** — Co-Founded Swap, a venture-backed fintech startup, serving as CEO
- **2013** — Completed B.S. at Stanford University
- **2010s** — Worked in TMT private equity at HPS Partners
- **2010s** — Served as Chief Digital Strategist at REVOLT Media & TV
- **2017** — Co-founded Air with college roommate Tyler Strand
- **2022** — Grew Air 240% while cutting 70% of operating expenses by Q4
- **2025** — Raised $35M Series B led by Avenir; Air surpasses 100,000 creatives and 120M+ assets

## Achievements

- Co-founded and scaled Air to 100,000+ creatives across 2,100 businesses
- Air manages over 120 million creative assets
- Raised a $35M Series B in January 2025 led by Avenir, ~$70.5M total funding
- Built a syndicate of ~100 former CMOs, creative directors, and brand founders as investor-mentors
- Maintained triple-digit growth through economic uncertainty with NDR above 120%
- Grew 240% in 2022 while cutting 70% of operating expenses

## Latest updates

- **2025-01** — Air announced a $35M Series B led by Avenir, raised from a position of strength roughly 60 days from profitability.

## Links

- Website: https://air.inc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanehegde
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/myaircamera
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myaircamera

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/shane-hegde
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-03