Jelle Prins

Jelle Prins

Jelle Prins (1984) is co-founder of Cradle.bio. Cradle is building a platform for designing proteins using artificial intelligence. Because proteins, as tiny machines in our bodies, are responsible for everything that is created and broken down, we can in theory cure all diseases if we can design the right proteins. In addition, proteins can replace traditional production methods for, for example, medicines, chemicals, food ingredients, and materials for our clothing. Production methods that use these extremely small protein “machines” are many times more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Jelle is also co-author and initiator of the AI Deltaplan, which was adopted by the Jetten I cabinet as the National AI Strategy.

Jelle began his career as the first designer/product manager at Uber in 2009. He designed the original apps for passengers and drivers, introducing features such as tracking an approaching driver and automatic payment after a ride. These were the very early days of what is now a multibillion-dollar company. However, in 2009 they didn’t yet have an office, and Jelle worked from a different coffee shop every day.

Jelle left Uber after some time to start his own company. With this company, he was, among other things, responsible for the first apps of Booking.com and CataWiki. After a few years, Uber asked him to return and offered to acquire his company, including the team. With this team, Jelle started Uber’s first engineering office outside San Francisco. Later, he became responsible for several Uber Product Design teams around the world.

In 2020, Jelle left Uber and was asked by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to lead the development of the CoronaMelder.

Jelle is available for “fireside chats” with a moderator and the audience. In these sessions, he enjoys sharing his stories from his years at Uber, designing the CoronaMelder, and his transition into the world of biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

Jelle Prins at TNW 2018: