Co-Founder, Partner
James Hamilton is an entrepreneur and technologist focused on building businesses and brands that thrive and endure. He is the co-founder of oakpool, a founder and employee-owned digital marketing firm that builds teams, systems, and software to help brands achieve sustainable growth. oakpool works globally, with team members and clients across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. Past and present clients include GORE-TEX, Goslings Rum, Caesars Entertainment, and Zum.
At oakpool, James leads new product and service development, including oakpool.ai, which focuses on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO or AI Search Optimization) — helping brands become legible, referenced, and surfaced inside modern AI search engines like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Claude.
Along with his work at oakpool, James has spent nearly a decade in early-stage venture capital and company formation, working as an investor and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at firms in Boston, London, and the Bay Area. He earned his MBA at Imperial College London and his BA at the College of Charleston.
James comes from a family of artists, curators, gallerists, and writers, and approaches entrepreneurship as a creative act. Beyond his work, James is passionate about travel, skiing, fly fishing, the arts, and our planet.
James Hamilton
James Hamilton We are thrilled to share the trailer for a new short documentary from Pandion Creative
James Hamilton A Rose by Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet But Will It Rank in
James Hamilton Pouring high octane gas on the fire As we reflect on the first half of
James Hamilton Its many forms and purposes I recently spent some time reflecting on the concept of
James Hamilton Generative Engine Optimization is Here to Stay Co-Authored by James Hamilton, and Dan Zazworsky. How
James Hamilton The global local approach Airbnb is a marketplace platform that connects travelers with local hosts.
James Hamilton The cobbler’s children have no shoes What’s that old saying? “The cobbler’s children have no
James Hamilton The earth from above There is at least one redeeming quality about Play Airlines, the
James Hamilton 90% Symmetrical In Chess, the act of copying an opponent’s moves at the beginning of
