Meet the Founders Behind Evrim

Behind Evrim’s mission to facilitate access to resilient data collection solutions are two founders who’ve spent their careers building software to solve problems at the intersection of technology and mission. Meet Chris Smith and Hannah Lensing!

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From Co-Workers to Co-Founders

Chris Smith (CEO & Co-Founder) and Hannah Lensing (CPO & Co-Founder) began working together at Thomson Reuters Special Services, a U.S. government-focused subsidiary of the global news and business intelligence firm. Over four years, they co-led development and delivery of advanced software programs for federal law enforcement, defense, and intelligence communities. 

Their earliest joint success came in 2021 when they won 1st Place in the EPIC App Challenge (hosted by INSA & AFCEA), developing a tool that identified phishing vulnerabilities on LinkedIn profiles at scale. Their collaboration spanned everything from hands-on code to personnel management - to high-level program management — including technical execution across multiple program initiatives that resulted in successful transition contracts. 

Chris brings deep systems engineering and architecture experience to Evrim. A former Lead Software Engineer for federal agencies, he built threat intelligence platforms that processed and enriched thousands of cyber indicators per day. He's also led the development for a cyber network threat emulation technology designed to strengthen defense network infrastructure.

Hannah, meanwhile, brings a rare combination of analytical, technical, and leadership depth to Evrim. Her career spans intelligence analysis, data science, people, and technical program management. She’s developed product strategies with USG customers, written winning technical volumes for contracts, and led teams through highly complex, first-of-its-kind technology development cycles.

“Founding a company with Chris was a no-brainer. We collaborate effortlessly, and I trust him completely. He’s one of the best engineers I’ve ever worked with - a true systems thinker who time and time again turns what seems like a point solution into a scalable, impactful product.” Hannah, Evrim Co-Founder

‍Why Evrim

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At Evrim, Chris and Hannah are combining their technical depth and operational experience to help companies collect web data that’s often overlooked, unstructured, or inaccessible — and turn it into real, actionable insight. 

“I’m grateful to the mentors and early experiences that shaped my entry into the data world. I had a front-row seat to the unglamorous but foundational work of collecting data at scale, and I saw how that control over the pipe translated into exceptional customer outcomes. The teams doing this work weren’t just building tools, they were shaping the future on their own terms. For a while, I traded thoughts in group chats about bringing that kind of capability to mission-aligned and commercial contexts alike. When this new wave of AI showed just how much leverage could be unlocked, the decision became clear, it was time to make the leap.” Chris, Evrim Co-Founder

While many data companies chase scale through automation, Chris and Hannah understand that real data transformation starts with the questions users ask — and the friction they face along the way to acquire the right data.

They’ve worked directly with intelligence officers, policy analysts, cyber investigators, and executives. And at every level, they’ve observed the same pain points: too much of the wrong data - not enough of the right data and tools failing to adapt to dynamic mission environments.

Outside the Office

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Chris is a former student athlete, a twin, and a proud Yinzer with degrees across economics and technology from Mercyhurst and a Master’s in Applied Data Science from Syracuse University. He is an avid endurance junkie running marathons and clocking in miles on his road bike, all while listening to the latest tech podcast.

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Hannah is a lifelong hockey player, a patent inventor, and a proud Michigan State (Go Green!) and George Mason alumni - with three degrees in Applied Information Technology, International Relations, and Comparative Cultures and Politics. You can find Hannah at a local coffee shop, bouldering at her climbing gym, or rewatching seasons of The Great British Bake Off and Clarkson’s Farm.