The head of Jeff Bezos' family office, Melinda Lewison, has stepped down from the board of directors at Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup backed by the Amazon founder. This decision, noted in various state filings, indicates a shift in Bezos' direct involvement with the company as it gears up to launch its affordable electric truck later this year.
Documents filed with the Delaware, Florida, and Massachusetts secretaries of state reveal that Lewison's departure occurred in recent months. This leaves Bezos without direct representation on the board, raising questions about his ongoing support for Slate Auto amidst his new focus on robotics through his latest venture, Project Prometheus. This initiative has already attracted over $6 billion in funding and is reportedly seeking an ambitious $100 billion for a new fund aimed at automating industrial companies with artificial intelligence.
While the specifics of Bezos' investment in Slate Auto remain unclear, the startup has not disclosed the amount he contributed during its initial funding round in 2023, which totaled approximately $120 million. Additionally, it is uncertain whether he took part in the company's Series B funding, which raised its total capital to around $700 million.
Recently, Slate Auto announced a significant $650 million Series C funding round, primarily led by TWG Global, a firm associated with Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter. Existing investor Slauson & Co also confirmed its participation in this round.
Former CEO Chris Barman, who was among Slate's first hires, remarked at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 that Bezos has adopted a "hands-off" approach. He noted that while Bezos had participated in discussions about the vehicle's development, he primarily allowed the team to focus on bringing the product to market.
Despite the changes, Slate Auto continues to benefit from a strong foundation of talent, with co-founder Jeff Wilke, the former CEO of Amazon Consumer, and current CEO Peter Faricy, a former VP at Amazon Marketplace. The company is also staffed by numerous individuals with Amazon backgrounds, indicating a robust connection to the tech giant.
As Slate Auto prepares to launch its innovative electric truck, the evolving dynamics within its leadership could influence its strategic direction and market positioning. This development underscores the potential for growth and innovation within the electric vehicle sector, paving the way for a sustainable future.
