Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang is a businessman, lawyer and philanthropist whose entrepreneurial endeavors led him to found the nonprofit Ventures for America (VFA), which connects young professionals to innovative companies in economically challenged cities. In late 2017, Yang announced his run for the presidency under the slogan "Make America Think Harder" (MATH) along with his defining policy proposal of Universal Basic Income (UBI), which is a supplemental income offered to American adults to prepare them for the economic challenges incurred by artificial intelligence and automation. Prior to suspending his presidential campaign in February 2020, Yang built a strong digital coalition and attracted a base of loyal supporters called the Yang Gang.

Andrew Yang (born January 13, 1975) is an American businessman, attorney, lobbyist, and political candidate. Yang was a candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries and the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary. He is the co-chair of the Forward Party. The son of Taiwanese immigrants, Yang was born and raised in New York State. He attended Brown University and Columbia Law School. Yang became a prominent candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries. His signature policy was a universal basic income (UBI) of $1,000 a month as a response to job displacement by automation. 

Yang has been credited with popularizing the idea of universal basic income through his candidacy and activism. News outlets described Yang as the most surprising candidate of the 2020 election cycle, going from a relative unknown to a major competitor in the race. Yang qualified for and participated in seven of the first eight Democratic debates. His supporters, informally known as the "Yang Gang", included several high-profile celebrities. 

Yang suspended his campaign on February 11, 2020, shortly after the New Hampshire primary. After his campaign ended, Yang joined CNN as a political commentator, announced the creation of the political nonprofit organization Humanity Forward, and ran in the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Yang conceded the race shortly after the initial ranked choice votes were released, which placed him fourth.

Andrew Yang, as the Founder of Venture for America, had a clear and ambitious vision. His goal was to recruit hundreds of talented young individuals, nurturing them to become entrepreneurs and leaders in high-growth companies. By doing so, he aimed to create new jobs and opportunities across the nation.

Over the span of six years, Yang's vision evolved and expanded beyond what he initially imagined. He personally immersed himself in the journey, visiting and working in all eighteen cities where Venture for America had a presence. Witnessing the impact of his program, Yang saw how businesses, founded by young entrepreneurs he had recruited fresh out of college, were thriving and positively affecting the lives of many.

Moreover, he took pride in the transformation of hundreds of idealistic and mission-driven college graduates into capable managers, leaders, and founders. This personal growth extended beyond their professional roles, as he observed them becoming stronger, kinder human beings. The entire experience led Yang to head a community that shared a common belief in the potential of exceptional individuals to create positive change in both the country and the world.