# Adam J. Gramling

> American entrepreneur and angel investor

**Wikidata**: [Q134603746](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134603746)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/adam-j-gramling

## Summary
Adam J. Gramling is an American entrepreneur and angel investor specializing in artificial intelligence. He is known for his work at Scale AI, where he contributed to data annotation and AI model development, and for his early career in science and entrepreneurship, including winning awards like the Parsons Innovation Award.

## Biography
- Born: 1994 in Los Gatos, California
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California (2013–2016); High school diploma from Los Gatos High School (2008–2012)
- Known for: Leading AI data annotation efforts at Scale AI and participating in high-profile competitions like the Hult Prize
- Employer(s): Scale AI (2022–2025), SR² Ventures (2025–present)
- Field(s): Artificial intelligence, machine learning

## Contributions
Adam J. Gramling has contributed to the AI industry through his work at Scale AI, a leading data annotation company. He played a key role in developing AI models and data annotation systems, supporting advancements in machine learning. His early career included participating in the Hult Prize, a global competition for social entrepreneurship, and winning the Parsons Innovation Award at Cal Poly’s Innovation Quest competition. He also earned honors at the California State Science Fair and Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship. Gramling’s background in industrial engineering and systems engineering, combined with his entrepreneurial experience, positions him as a valuable investor and innovator in AI.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Adam J. Gramling’s background in AI?
A: Adam J. Gramling worked at Scale AI, a data annotation company, where he contributed to AI model development and machine learning. He also has experience in angel investing and entrepreneurship.

### Q: What awards has Adam J. Gramling won?
A: He won the Parsons Innovation Award in 2015 and was a finalist in the Hult Prize competition in 2015 and 2016.

### Q: Where did Adam J. Gramling study?
A: He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California and graduated from Los Gatos High School.

### Q: What is Adam J. Gramling’s current role?
A: He is an angel investor and entrepreneur, currently associated with SR² Ventures.

### Q: What was Adam J. Gramling’s early scientific work?
A: He earned an honorable mention at the California State Science Fair in 2011 and placed in the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship in 2011 and 2012.

## Why They Matter
Adam J. Gramling’s contributions to the AI industry, particularly through his work at Scale AI, have supported the development of advanced machine learning models and data annotation systems. His early achievements in science and entrepreneurship, including winning the Parsons Innovation Award and participating in the Hult Prize, demonstrate his ability to innovate and solve complex problems. As an angel investor, he plays a crucial role in funding and nurturing AI startups, furthering the field’s growth. His diverse background in engineering, science, and business positions him as a key figure in bridging technical and entrepreneurial efforts in AI.

## Notable For
- Worked at Scale AI, a major player in AI data annotation
- Won the Parsons Innovation Award in 2015
- Finalist in the Hult Prize competition in 2015 and 2016
- Earned an honorable mention at the California State Science Fair in 2011
- Placed in the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship in 2011 and 2012

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Adam J. Gramling was born in 1994 in Los Gatos, California. He attended Los Gatos High School, graduating in 2012. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering at the University of Southern California, graduating in 2016.

### Scientific and Entrepreneurial Achievements
During his time at the California State Science Fair in 2011, Gramling earned an honorable mention for his project, "The Extraction of Oil from Water Using Ferromagnetic Fluids." He also participated in the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship, placing in 2011 and 2012. In 2015, he won the Parsons Innovation Award at Cal Poly’s Innovation Quest competition, representing his startup, Higea Technologies.

### Hult Prize Participation
Gramling was a finalist in the Hult Prize competition in both 2015 and 2016. The Hult Prize is a global competition for social entrepreneurship, and his participation highlights his commitment to innovative solutions for social impact.

### Professional Career
After his academic and scientific pursuits, Gramling transitioned into the tech industry. He worked at Scale AI from 2022 to 2025, contributing to AI model development and data annotation. He is now an angel investor and entrepreneur, associated with SR² Ventures.

### Awards and Recognition
Gramling’s achievements include winning the Parsons Innovation Award and being recognized as a finalist in the Hult Prize. These accolades underscore his ability to innovate and solve complex problems in both scientific and entrepreneurial contexts.

### Current Role and Impact
As an angel investor, Gramling plays a crucial role in funding and nurturing AI startups. His background in engineering, science, and entrepreneurship positions him as a valuable asset in the AI industry, supporting the development of advanced technologies and fostering innovation.

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## References

1. [Source](https://about.me/adamgramling)
2. [Los Gatos family gets kicks – and bonding – on Route 66. 2007](https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/09/04/los-gatos-family-gets-kicks-and-bonding-on-route-66/)
3. [Source](https://sr2.vc/#about)
4. [About — SR2 Ventures](https://sr2.vc/#about)
5. [Source](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajgramling)
6. [University of Southern California - Commencement program, USC (133rd: 2016: Alumni Memorial Park). University of Southern California. 2016](https://digitallibrary.usc.edu/asset-management/2A3BF1XLU8JE1?WS=SearchResults&Flat=FP&FR_=1&W=1612&H=1264)
7. [List: 2012 graduates, Los Gatos High School. The Mercury News. 2012](https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/06/18/list-2012-graduates-los-gatos-high-school/)
8. [Awards to Los Gatos students. The Mercury News. 2012](https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/06/19/awards-to-los-gatos-students/)
9. [Source](https://sr2.vc/)
10. [The companies making the most money from AI. The Verge. 2025](https://www.theverge.com/cs/features/831818/ai-mercor-handshake-scale-surge-staffing-companies)
11. [Five student startups split $45,000 in Innovation Quest competition at Cal Poly. 2015](https://slochamber.org/five-student-startups-split-45000-in-innovation-quest-competition-at-cal-poly/)
12. [Source](https://cie.calpoly.edu/news/snake-eyes-is-a-waste-of-an-awesome-opening-shot/)
13. [Source](https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/pao_pr/4601)
14. [Source](https://www.georesources.net/cms.php/en/archive/4370/parsons-innovation-award-as-part-of-cal-poly-2015-innovation-quest-competition)
15. [Los Gatos Youth Commission minutes (September 21, 2010)](https://www.losgatosca.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=2585)
16. [Los Gatos Youth Commission minutes (May 15, 2012)](https://www.losgatosca.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=2831)
17. [Whiz Kids of the Week—Los Gatos Youth Commission. 2011](https://patch.com/california/losgatos/whiz-kids-of-the-week-los-gatos-youth-commission)
18. [Source](https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/09/04/los-gatos-family-gets-kicks-and-bonding-on-route-66/)
19. [Los Gatos family gets kicks – and bonding – on Route 66. 2007](https://web.archive.org/web/20230608162153/https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/09/04/los-gatos-family-gets-kicks-and-bonding-on-route-66/)
20. [Source](https://sr2.vc)
21. [About - SR2 Ventures](https://sr2.vc/#about)
22. [Adam J. Gramling - New York, NY, Scale AI, University of Southern California | about.me](https://about.me/adamgramling)
23. [Contributors | 2BillionUnder20](https://2billionunder20.com/community-2/)
24. [Episode #3: Combining entrepreneurship and school | CoffeeClubXL - Your Source for Startups, Business, and Entrepreneurship](http://coffeeclubxl.com/combining-entrepreneurship-and-school/)
25. [Episode #3: Combining Entrepreneurship And School | CoffeeClubXL on SoundCloud](https://soundcloud.com/coffeeclubxl/entrepreneurship-and-school)
26. [Five Student Startups Split $45K in Innovation Quest Competition at Cal Poly. 2015](https://cie.calpoly.edu/news/snake-eyes-is-a-waste-of-an-awesome-opening-shot/)
27. [Five Student Startups Split $45,000 in Innovation Quest Competition at Cal Poly. 2015](https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/pao_pr/4601)
28. [Parsons Innovation Award as Part of Cal Poly 2015 Innovation Quest Competition. 2015](https://www.georesources.net/cms.php/en/archive/4370/parsons-innovation-award-as-part-of-cal-poly-2015-innovation-quest-competition)
29. [Students named finalists in Hult Prize Challenge. 2016](https://dailytrojan.com/2016/03/08/students-named-finalists-hult-prize-challenge/)
30. [Gramling, Adam J.](https://csef.usc.edu/History/2011/pictures/Portrait/32073.html)
31. [Category Awards 2011 (PDF)](https://csef.usc.edu/History/2011/Awards/CategoryAwards2011.pdf)
32. [CSSF Awards 2011 (PDF)](https://csef.usc.edu/History/2011/CSSF_Awards2011.pdf)
33. [Los Gatos shorts: High school scientists recognized. 2015](https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/18/los-gatos-shorts-high-school-scientists-recognized/)
34. [Awards to Los Gatos students. 2012](https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/06/19/awards-to-los-gatos-students/)
35. [The companies making the most money from AI. 2025](https://www.theverge.com/cs/features/831818/ai-mercor-handshake-scale-surge-staffing-companies)
36. [The Operator - Adam Gramling on leading Global Accounts and Programs at Scale AI, building client delivery playbooks, and launching SR² Ventures. 2026](https://www.readoperator.com/p/adam-gramling-scaleai)
37. [Students named finalists in Hult Prize Challenge. Daily Trojan. 2016](https://dailytrojan.com/2016/03/08/students-named-finalists-hult-prize-challenge/)
38. [Students named finalists in Hult Prize Challenge. Daily Trojan. 2016](https://digitallibrary.usc.edu/asset-management/2A3BF1OZMHJSG?WS=SearchResults&Flat=FP&FR_=1&W=1688&H=1298)
39. [USC'sTeam Educate U at the Hult prize Regionals in Shanghai, China! We wish you the best! Make us proud!. 2015](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1725488797677572&set=a.1656786787881107)
40. [Fight On! Marshall undergraduates are ready to take on the world. Zain Shaikh and classmates Roshan Desai, Adam Gramling, Scott Moore, and Mina Moussa have a plan to educate 10 million children in urban slums --and they are hoping to win $1 million to do it. They may be on their way--they are one of 250 teams in the semi-finals out of 20,000 teams who entered the Hult Prize competition. Read about it: http://bit.ly/1M4TleS. 2015](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10153125692471354&set=a.10150106759416354)
41. [Category Awards 2011 – Environmental Science. 2011](https://csef.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2011/Awards/S11.html)
42. [California State Science Fair 2011 - Honorable Mention Awards](https://csef.usc.edu/History/2011/pictures/Awards/S11HM.html)
43. [California State Science Fair 2011 - Project S1107 (PDF)](https://csef.usc.edu/History/2011/Projects/S1107.pdf)
44. [Parsons Innovation Award as part of Cal Poly 2015 Innovation Quest competition](https://www.georesources.net/cms.php/en/archive/4370/parsons-innovation-award-as-part-of-cal-poly-2015-innovation-quest-competition)
45. [Project Awards 2011](https://science-fair.org/database/project_awards.php?all=&school_year=1011&special_order=)
46. [Project Awards 2012](https://science-fair.org/database/project_awards.php?all=&school_year=1112&special_order=)
47. [About - Adam J. Gramling](https://adamjgramling.wordpress.com/about/)
48. [Source](https://x.com/ajgramling)
49. [Source](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Adam-Gramling)
50. [Source](https://www.crunchbase.com/person/adam-gramling-ce67)