A unique platform

Our scientific approach is made possible by investment in three key areas.

Talented scientists.

Guided by the scientific method, we devise models that begin with inspired ideas and hypotheses.

Powerful engineering

Technology drives our business. We use machine learning, distributed computing and other technologies to find connections in the world’s data.

Transformative data science.

We’ve been pushing the frontiers of Big Data since before it was a buzzword. To us, it’s just data. We work with vast sets of it, from tens of thousands of diverse sources.

Our Co-Founders

Two Sigma was co-founded by a computer scientist and mathematician who understood the potential of bringing technology and data to investment management.

David Siegel

David Siegel

Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Two Sigma

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John Overdeck

John Overdeck

Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Two Sigma

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David Siegel

Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Two Sigma

David is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He co-founded Two Sigma, where he currently serves as Co-Chairman.

Inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, David was drawn to computer science at a young age and developed a deep interest in programming. This interest sparked a life-long passion for building intelligent computational systems, reflecting the belief in technology’s potential to improve virtually every human endeavor.

After graduating from Princeton, David received a PhD in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he conducted research at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

In 2001, he co-founded Two Sigma on the belief that innovative technology and data science could help discover value in the world’s data. Today, Two Sigma, through its use of algorithms and with its unique culture, drives transformations in many industries including investment management and insurance.

David’s philanthropic efforts underscore his conviction that education, science, and technology are the keys to a better world. In keeping with this vision, he founded Siegel Family Endowment in 2011 to support organizations and leaders that will understand and shape the impact of technology on society. David devotes significant time and energy to actively engaging with this work. He is the Chairman of the Board of Overseers at Cornell Tech, a board member of Carnegie Hall, and of the Robin Hood Learning + Tech Fund. After co-founding the board of New York City FIRST, he furthered his commitment to the organization by joining the national FIRST board. David’s service also includes roles on the Global Advisory Board of Khan Academy, the Advisory Board for Stanford’s Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society, and the Advisory Council for Princeton’s Center on Information Technology Policy.

In 2014, David co-founded the Scratch Foundation to support Scratch, a block-based programming language and online community for kids that helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century.

As a member of the MIT Corporation, David has the pleasure of serving on the Visiting Committee for the Media Lab, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines, as well as with the advisory group for the Task Force on the Work of the Future. He is Founding Chair of the advisory board for MIT Quest, an initiative to discover the foundations of human intelligence and drive the development of technological tools that can positively influence society.

David Siegel

John Overdeck

Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Two Sigma

John is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Two Sigma.

John began his career at D.E. Shaw & Co., where he rose to managing director. While at Shaw, he directed the firm’s Japanese equity and equity-linked investments and supervised the firm’s London investment management affiliate. Prior to co-founding Two Sigma in 2001, John spent two years at Amazon.com, first as vice president and technical assistant to Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos. He went on to lead customer relationship management at Amazon.com, directing Amazon’s renowned personalization, community, and targeted marketing features and technology. He also led critical efforts to make Amazon’s customer technology more scalable.

John serves as chair of the Institute for Advanced Study, National Museum of Mathematics, and Bedtime Math Foundation, and  serves on the board of Robin Hood. He is also the president of Overdeck Family Foundation, which supports innovative programs and research that measurably enhance education inside and outside the classroom.

A lifelong math enthusiast, John won a silver medal for the United States in the 27th International Mathematics Olympiad. In 2017, John was honored by the Academy of Achievement for being a pioneer in technology and investment management.

John earned a B.S. in Mathematics (with distinction) and a M.S. in Statistics from Stanford University.

John Overdeck

Our Leaders

Carter Lyons

Co-CEO, Two Sigma

Read More : Co-CEO

Scott Hoffman

Co-CEO, Two Sigma

Read More : Co-CEO

Carter Lyons

Co-CEO, Two Sigma

Carter Lyons is Co-CEO of Two Sigma. He was formerly Two Sigma’s Chief Business Officer, partnering closely with the leadership of the firm’s investment management and private investment businesses to expand client relationships, deliver new products and solutions, and nurture new partnerships. Previously, he was Co-Head of Two Sigma Advisers. He joined Two Sigma in 2011 as Head of Investor Relations and was responsible for the company’s fundraising and relationship management efforts.

Prior to Two Sigma, Carter worked at BlackRock as Managing Director within the Global Client Group’s U.S. and Canadian Institutional team. In this role, he was responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with institutional investors, as well as for overseeing account managers’ marketing and client service for institutional clients. Carter has also held leadership roles at Barclays Global Investors and Franklin Templeton.

Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Lehigh University and is a CFA charterholder.

Scott Hoffman

Co-CEO, Two Sigma

Scott Hoffman is Co-CEO of Two Sigma. He served as the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Lazard, a preeminent global asset management and investment banking firm, until his retirement in September 2023 after a distinguished career at the firm that spanned nearly three decades. During his tenure at Lazard, Scott assumed a broad range of responsibilities, including legal and compliance, internal policies, communications, information security, and internal audit. He worked closely with the firm’s leadership on client matters and as a counselor to Lazard’s board of directors and played an instrumental role in M&A and the firm’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.

Scott began his career at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, specializing in mergers and acquisitions and securities law. He earned an undergraduate degree in Government from Dartmouth College and a law degree from the New York University School of Law, where he is a member of the board of trustees.

Scott is also a member of the board of Film at Lincoln Center.

A history of invention

Since 2001, we’ve searched for ways that data and technology can make us better at what we do. We never stop researching and developing.

This is a carousel with events organized by year. Navigate using the previous and next buttons, or jump to a new slide by clicking the year.

Two Sigma is founded in New York City

We make Soho our home

Our very first trade

We start trading futures and FX

We hire our 100th employee

Houston office opens

We celebrate 5 years of live trading

London office opens

Private investments business launches

Two Sigma Securities begins operation

A big year for hiring; our team grows 40%

Our first infrastructure project launches: DCAT helps researchers access and process our many data sets

Our first TS Cup coding competition

First company-wide Hack Day

Hong Kong office opens

Logo for Two Sigma Ventures

Two Sigma Ventures begins operation

We enter the insurance space

Data Clinic launches

Logos for Two Sigma Employee resource groups for Women and LGBT at Two Sigma

Employee Resource Groups for LGBT and Women launch

We hire our 1000th employee and celebrate our 15th birthday

Employee Resource Group introduced for people of color

Our TS Cup pits human air hockey players against artificial intelligence systems programed by Two Sigma teams

Two Sigma Insurance Quantified begins operation

Collision lab at Cornell Tech campus opens

AlphaStudio platform launches

Tokyo office opens

Two Sigma’s robot, Sparky, competes in FIRST Robotics Corporate Challenge

Shanghai office opens

Two Sigma Real Estate Begins Operation

Employee Resource Group introduced for people with disabilities

News & Insights from around Two Sigma

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