Startup Coaches, Events, and Resources

I've sat on every side of the founder table — as a co-founder who raised from pre-seed to Series A, as a VC evaluating hundreds of pitches, as an angel investor with 10+ portfolio companies, and as a startup banker advising growth-stage companies on the financial architecture that actually matters. I coach founders on fundraising strategy, investor positioning, cap table decisions, and the board dynamics that no one prepares you for. If you're navigating a raise, managing a board that's getting more complex, or just trying to make cleaner decisions while everything is moving — I can help. My style is direct and tactical. I won't give you theory. I'll give you the frameworks I've used and the patterns I've seen across hundreds of founder conversations.

Welcome to my profile! With an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School and extensive experience in advising and leading product growth at various startups, I am passionate about helping startup founders achieve their goals. I have successfully guided 18 entrepreneurs through the complexities of product market fit, go-to-market strategies, and monetization, leveraging my expertise as a CPO/SVP of Product & UX. My hands-on experience includes advising AI and SaaS startups, improving trial-to-paid conversions, and launching innovative products. Whether you're looking to refine your product strategy or accelerate growth, I'm here to help you navigate the startup landscape. Let's connect and take your startup to the next level!

Having founded four companies, I’ve experienced the full spectrum of the entrepreneurial journey—one exit, bootstrapping two ventures, and raising over €1 billion in funding throughout my career. In 2019, I launched the first-ever Techstars accelerator in Italy, which quickly became one of the network’s top-performing programs. My portfolio companies have raised over $100 million post-program, with five successful acquisitions. As an investor, mentor, and executive coach, I focus on early-stage B2B companies (and sometimes B2C) across various industries, supporting the most ambitious founders worldwide. My own founder experience in Germany and Southeast Asia has equipped me to understand and guide entrepreneurs on their path to success, and I've backed companies in the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Welcome to my profile! As the CEO and Co-Founder of Gable, I am passionate about marketplaces, hr tech, and proptech. If you are looking to build a marketplace, or a startup that sells to HR or Workplace/IT - let's talk! With a strong foundation in technology and leadership from my time at Microsoft, where I led innovative projects in AI and security, I bring a wealth of experience to the startup world. My journey also includes directing the Stanford MSx Program, where I combined my expertise in product management with a focus on the future of work. Whether you're looking to launch your startup or scale your business, I'm here to guide you through the challenges and opportunities.

Hello and welcome to my profile! My professional career spans roles at competitive firms like Bain & Company (management consulting), Greycroft (VC/growth equity), and Snap Inc. (marketing & technical project management). I led resume reviews, interviews, and hiring decisions across all levels at each of these companies. On the college front, I was privileged to attend the University of Southern California (USC) on a merit scholarship. I majored in Economics and also graduated from their prestigious Thematic Option honors program. I've since supported several students through their own application processes, helping them craft compelling narratives, strategically position their applications, and prepare for interviews. While I have significant experience in various industries, I’m most passionate about technology, entrepreneurship, finance, and retail / consumer brands. Let's work together to make your career dreams a reality—reach out to start your journey today!

I have been a founder, advisor, and educator at the highest levels, giving me insights – that no one else has! – on the decisions and actions that allow founders to win. Since joining Duke's faculty, I've worked 1:1 with 125 founders across all stages and industries. I've taught award-winning MBA courses ("The Favorite Course of MBAs," Poets&Quants), led investment accelerators (Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs), and have helped founders start, scale, exit, and pivot their careers in startups. Before teaching, I bootstrapped Closure – a funeral industry software company – and went from "startup idea" to a 25-employee, 8-figure exit in 5 years.

Hi, I'm Brian. I coach leaders from every level who see good things ahead and want help navigating to them in a way that saves time and money. If you are a small business owner (aspiring or actual) I can help you make progress to get what you want. I work with leaders to to refine their message, define direction, and execute on simple actions to produce REAL results. I have experience coaching first-time team leaders, department directors, and C-suite executives to foster leadership excellence. My approach is centered around asking powerful questions that reveal truth and help you navigate your unique path forward. Additionally, my experience as an entrepreneur myself puts me in a position to understand what it means to take an idea and grow it into a business with impact. To be frank, you have all the information you could ever want at your finger tips. Your progress isn't really tied to information. It's tied to thoughtful and deliberate application of that information. That's where I can help. If you are a small business owner, whether you are at the beginning or already well on your way, I can help you get where you're going more efficiently and effectively. Let's connect to explore how we can work together to accomplish the bright future you see ahead!

I’ve been in your shoes—I know the ups and downs of building a startup from the ground up. I founded my own company that was accepted into Y Combinator, the world’s leading startup accelerator. Going through YC gave me firsthand experience with fundraising, refining a pitch, building a product that customers love, and navigating the fast-paced, high-pressure environment that every founder faces. From finding a real cofounder to navigating early investors, I want to help.

Welcome to my profile! With my combined operator and VC experience, and also coaching many founders, I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of starting and scaling their ventures. Let's work together to navigate your entrepreneurial challenges! Reach out to explore how I can support your journey.

• Stanford GSB MBA Candidate – Class of 2027 • Coaching | Case prepped and mentored 30+ undergraduate and MBA students • Bain | Worked for Bain & Co. before school, focusing on retail and consumer case work • Startup | Grew wholesale for a men’s athleisure brand from $0 to $4M • Resumes | Edited 50+ resumes in undergrad and reviewed 200+ resumes as Bain recruiting lead • Speech & Writing | Wrote and delivered commencement speech for Miami University Farmer School of Business graduation ceremony • Interview Training | Trained as Bain interviewer to score case interviews and behavioral questions • GMAT / Test-taking | Scored in highest percentile of GMAT test-takers