Shanaz Hemmati — Quick Facts
| Full Name | Shanaz Hemmati |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American (immigrant from Iran) |
| Ethnicity / Descent | Persian / Iranian descent |
| Education | BSEE, Electrical & Computer Engineering – University of Texas |
| Occupation | COO & Co-Founder of ZenBusiness |
| Past Role | Global VP, Information Systems at HomeAway / VRBO |
| Known For | Scaling ZenBusiness to unicorn status, operational leadership in tech |
| Recent Achievement | ZenBusiness valued at $1.7B (2021) |
| Recognition | Silver Stevie Award 2024, “Woman to Watch” features |
| Controversies | None publicly documented as of 2025 |
| Spouse & Children | Not publicly disclosed |
| Religion / Beliefs | Not publicly disclosed |
| Current Focus | Leadership, growth, tech operations, mentorship |
Shanaz Hemmati is a technology executive and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and COO of ZenBusiness, the platform that helps first-time business owners start, manage, and grow their companies. Her journey from immigrant roots to leading a startup with a $1.7B valuation, offers lessons in perseverance, adaptability, and technical leadership.
Early Life, Background & Education
Shanaz Hemmati was born in Iran and later immigrated to the United States. 0 Her parents emphasized education, and she moved to Austin, Texas, to pursue her studies. Shanaz Hemmati earned her Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas (Texas ECE).
Family, Parents & Siblings
Public records don’t fully detail her parents’ names or siblings. However, Shanaz Hemmati has spoken about her immigrant upbringing and the sacrifices her family made to support her education and opportunities.
Career & Rise to Prominence
Experience at HomeAway / VRBO
Before ZenBusiness, Shanaz Hemmati held technical leadership roles at HomeAway / VRBO. She was the Global VP of Information Systems there, managing data infrastructure, analytics, CRM, ERP and leading global teams through major growth phases. Shanaz Hemmati remained with HomeAway when it was acquired by Expedia, navigating transitions and scaling systems. 5
Founding & Scaling ZenBusiness
In 2017, Shanaz Hemmati co-founded ZenBusiness, a startup designed to streamline business formation, compliance, banking, and management for entrepreneurs. Under her operational leadership, ZenBusiness reached a valuation of about $1.7 billion in November 2021. She oversees technology, finance, operations, customer success, human resources, and growth functions. In 2024, Shanaz Hemmati won a Silver Stevie Award for Women in Business in recognition of her industry leadership efforts.
Philosophy & Leadership Viewpoints
Shanaz Hemmati believes every entrepreneur needs two essential skills: perseverance and adaptability, the ability to endure failures but also to pivot fast when things aren’t working. In interviews and blogs, she has stressed the importance of focusing on core strengths, staying mission-driven, and evolving through feedback and iteration. Shanaz Hemmati has also been vocal about embedding diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) into ZenBusiness’s core, achieving notable female representation in leadership and operations.
Personal Life: Family, Beliefs & Values
There’s limited public disclosure of Shanaz Hemmati’s personal life, her spouse, children, or religious beliefs are not widely shared. She emphasizes values of inclusion, mentorship, and giving back, often speaking about supporting underrepresented founders and accessibility in entrepreneurship.
Recent News, Recognition & Controversies
- In 2024, Shanaz Hemmati won a Silver Stevie Award recognizing women leaders in business.
- Shanaz Hemmati has been featured as a “Woman to Watch” in Austin Woman magazine for her impact and leadership in tech.
- In 2025, ZenBusiness published leadership interviews and insights highlighting adaptation and focus as drivers of growth.
- No substantial controversies are publicly documented as of 2025. Shanaz Hemmati maintains a respected reputation in tech and entrepreneurship circles.
Biography Table
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shanaz Hemmati |
| Nationality | American (immigrant from Iran) 17 |
| Ethnicity | Persian / Iranian descent |
| Education | BSEE, Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Texas 18 |
| Occupation | Co-Founder & COO, ZenBusiness |
| Past Role | Global VP of Information Systems, HomeAway / VRBO 19 |
| Known For | Scaling ZenBusiness to a unicorn, operational leadership in tech |
| Recent Recognition | Silver Stevie Award 2024, “Woman to Watch” features 20 |
| Controversy | None publicly known as of 2025 |
Summary
Shanaz Hemmati’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, technical excellence, and operational leadership. From immigrant beginnings to co-founding a billion-dollar startup, she embodies the traits she preaches: perseverance, adaptability, and purpose-led growth. As she continues to guide ZenBusiness in 2025, her journey inspires entrepreneurs worldwide to build boldly, pivot wisely, and lead with humanity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shanaz Hemmati
Who is Shanaz Hemmati?
- Shanaz Hemmati is an entrepreneur and technology executive, known for co-founding ZenBusiness and serving in leadership roles at HomeAway/VRBO prior.
What is Shanaz Hemmati’s educational background?
- Shanaz Hemmati holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas. (ece.utexas.edu)
What role does Shanaz Hemmati hold at ZenBusiness?
- Shanaz Hemmati is a co-founder and the COO (Chief Operating Officer), overseeing operations, technology, growth, and customer success.
What was the valuation of ZenBusiness?
- ZenBusiness was valued at about $1.7 billion in November 2021. (capitalfactory.com)
What companies did Shanaz Hemmati work at before ZenBusiness?
- Shanaz Hemmati held leadership positions at HomeAway / VRBO, including Global VP of Information Systems, managing data, analytics, and global systems. (betweentwocoos.com)
What are the two skills Shanaz Hemmati says every entrepreneur needs?
- Shanaz Hemmati emphasizes perseverance and adaptability the ability to persist through hard times and pivot when things aren’t working.
Is there any controversy around Shanaz Hemmati?
- As of 2025, no major controversies are publicly documented. Shanaz Hemmati is viewed as a respected figure in tech and entrepreneurship.
Where is Shanaz Hemmati from originally?
- Shanaz Hemmati was born in Iran and later moved to the United States, making her part of the Iranian-American immigrant community.
Does Shanaz Hemmati publicly share her personal life?
- No. There is limited public information about Shanaz Hemmati spouse, children, or religious beliefs. She tends to focus publicly on her work and leadership philosophy.
About the Author
Praise Graciebby is a content creator on The StarProfile, where she writes celebrity biographies, sports updates, gossip, and trending news. With a passion for entertainment and lifestyle journalism, Praise provides readers with simple, accurate, and up-to-date profiles of public figures worldwide.
: Age, Education, Family, Co-Founder of ZenBusiness, Ethnicity, Net Worth){kind=link}
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