Nafis joined in 2024 and works with product-oriented, early-stage teams focused on building consumer and enterprise applications and infrastructure. Prior to Accel, he was a product manager at AdMob (acquired by Google), co-founded and was CTO at MoPub (acquired by Twitter), and was CEO of Elements (acquired by Circle)—all three are Accel-backed companies. He’s originally from Louisiana and graduated from Stanford (though he did drop out of the PhD program—two degrees were apparently enough!).
Get to know Nafis
What was your first job?
I was a busboy in the only Chinese restaurant in my small town of Louisiana. I have a vivid memory of getting stuck in the walk in (refrigerator)...many years before The Bear.
What’s your go-to productivity hack?
5 AM Yoga. I've been practicing Mysore yoga for 15 years. I've found it to be an amazing way to start the day in flow state.
What’s the most impactful piece of advice you’ve received?
My mentor, investor, and dear friend Michael Dearing once told me that I get to wake up every day and design for the life that I want. And, that every day is an opportunity to prototype. Taken together, I try to walk the windy, bumpy road of happiness.