While running an education startup, Tim Zheng struggled to find a platform that combined accurate data with seamless automation. He saw firsthand how inefficient sales tools hindered business growth. Frustrated by the limitations of existing solutions, he and his team built an in-house tool that rapidly scaled their user base from 5,000 to 150,000 in just six weeks. Recognizing a widespread need for a smarter, all-in-one prospecting platform, he founded Apollo.io, where he now serves as CEO. Under his leadership, the company has become a leading force in sales intelligence, offering automation-driven insights that help businesses unlock their full market potential.
Born and raised in San Francisco, Zheng grew up in a household of engineers who encouraged his passion for technology. By high school, he was already coding, which set the foundation for his future in data science. He earned a scholarship to Stanford University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer science. At Apollo.io, he focuses on enhancing sales intelligence capabilities, refining automation, and expanding the breadth and accuracy of the company’s vast data ecosystem. His commitment to optimizing workflows means that tasks requiring 20 clicks on other platforms take just a few in Apollo, making it an industry leader in efficiency and usability.
Zheng believes that the best ideas come from solving real problems. He built Apollo.io not just as a business but as a direct response to a challenge he encountered repeatedly—companies struggling to reach the right audience with the right data. By using Apollo.io internally for sales prospecting, outreach, and reporting, he ensures continuous improvement, keeping the platform agile and aligned with market needs. His hands-on approach to innovation cements his role as a driving force in the future of sales technology.