Jeff Bezos’ Top Advisor Steps Down From Electric Vehicle Startup Slate Auto
Melinda Lewison, who headed investments at Jeff Bezos' family office, has left Slate Auto's board. This move could signal a shift in Bezos' involvement with the electric truck maker.
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The head of Jeff Bezos’ family office, Melinda Lewison, has stepped down from the board of directors of Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup backed by Amazon’s founder. According to state filings reviewed by TechCrunch, Lewison's departure is effective as of a few months ago. This leaves Bezos without direct representation on Slate’s board as the company prepares for its first production run of low-cost electric trucks later this year.
Slate Auto did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Neither Lewison nor Bezos responded to emails seeking comment. With no direct presence on the board, this move raises questions about Bezos' support and involvement with Slate at a time when he is reportedly focusing on robotics through his new venture, Project Prometheus.
Project Prometheus, which raised over $6 billion last year, is said to be seeking funding for an AI-focused industrial automation fund. The precise level of Bezos' involvement in Slate has always been somewhat murky. The company has not disclosed how much money Amazon founder contributed during its first fundraising round in 2023, totalling around $120 million.
Furthermore, Slate Auto has not confirmed whether Bezos participated in the Series B funding that brought its total to around $700 million. In January 2023, Slate announced a $650 million Series C round, with the only named lead investor being TWG Global, run by Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter. Slauson & Co., an existing investor and former Amazon alum, also participated.
Chris Barman, Slate's first hire and now-former CEO, said at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 that Bezos was 'pretty hands-off.' However, the company is indeed filled with Amazon veterans. It was co-founded by Jeff Wilke, former Amazon Consumer CEO, and its new CEO Peter Faricy is a former VP of Amazon Marketplace.
Despite the lack of direct involvement, Slate Auto retains a strong Amazon connection through its leadership structure. This move could signal a broader strategic shift in Bezos' approach to electric vehicle ventures or simply reflect his focus on other projects like Project Prometheus and automation efforts.
