Ventures

Companies Jack Phan has built, exited, and operated — from Handyman Online and ReliableRemodeler.com to the Oregon AI Accelerator.

Now

  • Oregon AI Accelerator

    2025–present

    Founding Director

    Launched November 17, 2025. A three-month hybrid program backed by a regional coalition (Metro Region Innovation Hub, PSU, OHSU, OSU, OEN, TAO, TiE Oregon) focused on human-centered, responsible AI.

    Outcome: Google-backed; pilot of 20 startups; up to $50,000 equity-free grants; no equity taken

  • Menu Mingle

    present

    Co-founder & CPO

    Co-founded with Dru Holley. One of the founder-first ventures Jack backs through his focus on underrepresented, female, and BIPOC founders.

  • Accent Innovations

    present

    Contributor (exact role pending — see note)

    Dr. Katie Pierson's venture in aviation speech intelligibility — one of the founder-first companies Jack backs. Jack's exact build role (and whether to name ORONYM/VCAM publicly) is pending his confirmation [JACK-COPY:accent-role-011].

Internet pioneer

  • Handyman Online

    1996–2001

    Head of Technology

    Built the first algorithm to match homeowners with contractors online (1997). Backed by more than $24 million in venture capital led by TCV and First Analysis.

    Outcome: Acquired by ServiceMagic (2001) → became HomeAdvisor → now part of Angi (NASDAQ: ANGI)

Founded

  • ReliableRemodeler.com

    2001–2008

    Co-founder & CTO

    Co-founded with Eric Doebele and bootstrapped from scratch onto the Inc. 500. Jack stayed through QuinStreet's IPO to earn out his equity.

    Outcome: #187 on the 2007 Inc. 500; acquired by QuinStreet (NASDAQ: QNST) in a deal valued at more than $25 million

Operating roles

  • Operating roles (reinvention years)

    2008–present

    VP Strategy/EIR · President & COO · CTO · CMO→CEO · Founder

    Across the reinvention years Jack moved deliberately through different seats: Digital Trends (VP Strategy / Entrepreneur in Residence), Money Crashers (President & COO), AGEIST (CTO), AirDeck AI (CMO then CEO), and PhanZu (founder, co-founded with Willamette Week publisher Mark Zusman).