Catherine Havasi
Also known as Havasi Catherine
Catherine Havasi helped build ConceptNet, a common-sense knowledge base for computers. In 1999 she co-founded Open Mind Common Sense with Marvin Minsky and Push Singh. In 2010, soon after earning a Brandeis PhD, she started Luminoso to build common-sense AI. Boston Business Journal named her to its 40 Under 40 in 2014, and Fast Company included her in its 100 Most Creative People in Business list in 2015. As of October 2026, she is building a new stealth mode venture in the national interest space.
- Now at
- stealth mode venture
- Works
- 72
- Citations
- 7,203
- h-index
- 22
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026.
Timeline
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1996–1999
Science fair alumna
She is an alumna of the Science Talent Search in 1999 and the International Science and Engineering Fair in 1996, 1998 and 1999.
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1999
Crowdsourcing common sense
In 1999, she co-founds Open Mind Common Sense with Marvin Minsky and Push Singh; their crowdsourced repository of common-sense knowledge becomes ConceptNet.
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2010
Founding Luminoso
Soon after her Brandeis PhD in 2010, she starts Luminoso to build common-sense AI.
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2014
Named to 40 Under 40
Her name appears on Boston Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list of business and civic leaders in 2014.
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2015
A Fast Company creativity list
Fast Company includes her in its 100 Most Creative People in Business list in 2015.
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2018
Chief strategy officer at Luminoso
In 2018, she is cofounder and chief strategy officer of Luminoso, and she runs ConceptNet.
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April 2025
Co-chair of the National Leadership Council
The Society for Science names her co-chair of its National Leadership Council in April 2025, alongside Kevin Heller.
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As of October 2026
A stealth mode venture
She is currently building a new stealth mode venture in the national interest space.
Sources and credits
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