Eric Lefkofsky

Eric Lefkofsky is the founder and CEO of Tempus AI (NASDAQ:TEM), arguably the most ambitious commercial deployment of AI on clinical and molecular data in oncology, plus a serial founder (Groupon, Echo Global, Mediaocean, Lightbank). His personal angel pattern leans into AI/ML in healthcare, diagnostics, and medical devices, with checks at Seed and Series A of $250k+. Chicago-based, national reach. Best fit: founders building data-rich clinical AI, multi-modal diagnostics, oncology-adjacent infrastructure, or any company that needs to navigate hospital data partnerships and pharma research deals; anyone with a credible answer to the real business model behind clinical AI (which is rarely the model itself and usually pharma or payer). Lightbank is the more scalable path for most founders; Lefkofsky’s personal calendar is dominated by Tempus. Entry path is LinkedIn or the Lightbank team; warm intros through Tempus, Groupon, or his Chicago network are stronger. Not a fit for telehealth services, consumer wellness, or biotech founders without a data or AI angle. Lefkofsky will push hard on commercial reality, on what hospital actually buys this and at what price; if you cannot ground your AI thesis in a real payer or pharma contract within 24 months, look elsewhere.