
Startup Insights: Lessons From Successful Founders
Building a company from the ground up comes with both challenges and breakthroughs. In this panel, you’ll hear directly from successful founders who have navigated the early stages of entrepreneurship and scaled their startups into thriving businesses. Our panelists will share candid stories about their journeys, the biggest lessons they’ve learned, and what they wish they knew when starting out. From fundraising and product development to hiring and growth, you’ll gain actionable insights into what it really takes to build and lead a successful startup.

How to Break Into YC: Advice from Alumnus
Getting into Y Combinator is a dream for many founders—but the application, pitch, and selection process can feel opaque and daunting. In this session, join Nick V., co-founder & former COO of Relay (a YC-backed startup) and top-rated Leland coach, as he pulls back the curtain on what makes a YC application stand out. Nick will walk you through what YC looks for, how to frame your idea and progress, and what mistakes most founders make (and how to avoid them). You’ll leave this session with sharper clarity and concrete steps to strengthen your candidacy.

Scaling Startups: Lessons from the Trenches
In this panel, Arjun S., Daniel M. and Liza M. will share hard-won insights from scaling startups through the messy, high-growth stages. From finding product–market fit and building the right team to raising capital and navigating growing pains, you’ll hear real stories about what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re an early-stage founder, part of a startup team, or simply curious about the realities of scaling, this session will give you practical takeaways, candid advice, and inspiration to tackle the challenges ahead.

From Idea to MVP: The Early Stage Startup Journey
Turning a great idea into a viable product is no small feat. In this panel, hear from Audrey C. (Moringa School, LendHer Capital) and Brice D. (Zaymo) - founders and startup veterans who’ve successfully navigated the early-stage journey—from validating an idea and building a first version to gathering feedback and iterating fast. Our speakers will share hard-earned lessons, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical advice for moving from concept to launch. Whether you’re a first-time founder or just curious about the process, you’ll walk away with a clearer roadmap for bringing your vision to life.

Ask Me Anything: Entrepreneurship and Startups
Join us for an open Q&A with Rohit A., an experienced founder, startup advisor, and investor. Rohit will share candid insights from his journey building and scaling ventures, navigating fundraising, and working with early-stage teams. Whether you’re just exploring entrepreneurship or already building your own company, this is your chance to get personalized advice on topics like ideation, product-market fit, fundraising, hiring, and more. Bring your questions — no topic is off-limits.