Derek Slater
Founding partner
Went from EFF activist to 15-year corporate veteran on Google's policy team, and still runs every policy battle like a campaign.
Can quote any movie back to you, usually at the right moment.
Tech policy strategy
Old wisdom.
New frontiers.
We've led policy development inside the companies shaping today's technology frontiers. Now we help them, and the institutions holding them to account, get it right.
Why Proteus
In Greek mythology, Proteus was a prophetic god of elusive sea change, capable of giving wise counsel to those who wrestle long enough with the toughest questions.
That's the job. Technology is ever-changing, and policy must change with it. You need versatile advisors who can help you adapt to a shifting policy landscape, always keeping an eye on the future vision you're building towards.
Our bench
Our partners have built and led policy teams at major technology companies. An extended network of specialists joins as projects need.
Betsy Masiello
Founding partner
Has worked on everything from privacy to ride-hailing to quantum to drug policy, and is happiest when the problem is brand new.
Explorer of inner space. Ask her whether AI has one too.
Advisors
Deep expertise? Put it to work.
We're adding a small number of folks to our bench. If you want to apply your know-how to real-world strategic challenges, reach out.
Start a conversation →Both sides of the table
Companies building frontier technology, and the institutions shaping its public interest, trust us with their hardest questions. We work with:
AI and technology
Frontier AI labs, global technology companies and the startups challenging them.
Open ecosystems
Open-source foundations, developer platforms and engineering consortia.
Philanthropy
Foundations funding the public-interest side of technology.
What we do
More on our work →I.
Principles
Define what you stand for, and build the plan and team to act on it.
II.
Counsel
Deep dives on thorny questions, distilled into clear choices.
III.
Campaigns
Coalitions of unlikely allies behind a shared cause.
IV.
Message
Words that hold up with policymakers, press and the public.
Case study
A frontier AI lab scales its policy function
We worked alongside the company's policy development leader to grow the function and support policy teams around the world through accelerating policy change.
- Structure and hiring: advising on team design and the hiring plan as the function grew.
- Arms and legs: substantive research and strategy to get the work done in the early months.
- Ongoing counsel: strategic input and advice as the team matured.
Case study
Organizing the open ecosystem to develop a voice in state policy battles
We brought together researchers, non-profits and companies from across the open ecosystem to give them a shared voice in state policy.
- Convening: bringing diverse stakeholders together around common policy challenges.
- Shared principles: identifying areas of shared interest and agreed-upon principles.
- Policy change: channeling that collective voice into real change in statehouses.