Robinhood CEO's AI startup sponsors former Eclipse founder accused of sexual misconduct
Quick Take
- Harmonic, a math-focused AI startup co-founded by Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev, is awarding former Eclipse CEO and founder Neel Somani with a “research sponsorship.”
- Last month, Harmonic said it planned to provide $1 million worth of sponsorships to students and researchers.
- Somani denied allegations of sexual harassment after receiving pressure from Eclipse invest Hack VC to resign.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev's math-focused AI startup is awarding former Eclipse Labs founder and CEO Neel Somani with a "research sponsorship," according to a post on Tuesday.
"We’re excited to announce Neel Somani, the first recipient of our Rising Mathematician Research Sponsorships," Harmonic posted to X. "His continuing mission: to explore the strange new world of math + AI."
Tenev then reposted the announcement. Harmonic, co-founded by Tenev, raised $120 million late last year, valuing the company at $1.45 billion, according to Reuters.
Last month, Harmonic said it planned to provide $1 million worth of sponsorships to students and researchers. “Just like in sports and the arts, we have superstars in mathematical research. Harmonic is excited to take this first step and commit resources to help mathematical pioneers expand the frontiers of human understanding,” Harmonic CEO Tudor Achim said in a statement.
Allegations and resignation
Somani founded the blockchain R&D firm Eclipse in 2022 and exited his role as CEO in 2024 amid pressure from Eclipse investor Hack VC and other parties regarding allegations of sexual misconduct. The former executive has denied these allegations.
"I have never sexually assaulted or harassed any woman," he wrote at the time. "This is a serious issue endemic to our industry and society in general, and I don't mean to minimize it by my denial of these false allegations."
Eclipse is the developer of an Ethereum Layer 2 that utilizes the Solana Virtual Machine. Sydney Huang took over as Eclipse CEO last year.
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