Startup Coaches, Events, and Resources

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!

I built a startup from scratch, solo, through to launch. I made mistakes and learned a lot, but I wish I'd had someone to help me navigate the mental side of it. Spinning multiple plates day after day is exhausting. The decisions never stop, the pressure doesn't let up, and there's rarely anyone in your corner who genuinely understands what that feels like. Having a voice of reason to help manage workload, stress and priorities would have been invaluable. That's exactly what I offer now. Although I primarily work with financial traders, the overlap is significant. Both worlds demand the same thing, showing up and performing, day after day, regardless of what yesterday looked like.

I provide independent strategy, solutions, and coaching for entrepreneurs so they can grow their businesses to the next level. I am passionate about working with innovative entrepreneurs and startups to develop unique strategies to grow and fund their businesses. Whether you are a startup on the track for traditional venture-capital financing or an entrepreneur on a more offbeat path, I can collaborate with you to develop and implement a creative and practical strategy for success. I also mentor and coach with a number of organizations that develop startups including Techstars Los Angeles, the Preccelerator, and the Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics, working with their portfolio companies as they prepare to present to investors. In addition, I have advised entrepreneurial programs at schools including the Incubator School, Marlborough School, and Project ECHO. For seven years, I ran the coaching program at Women Founders Network, an accelerator that connects women building high-growth businesses with the tools and resources they need to achieve business success. Since 2013, WFN alumnae have raised over $100 million in funding. If I look familiar, it may be because I speak regularly on issues related to startups, tech and women in business and have appeared in publications including The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Inc.com, Fortune, CNBC, StartupNation, Women 2.0, and GenHERation.

I help scientists and engineers navigate the lab-to-boardroom transition as startup founders. I work with technically-trained founders in industries ranging from AI to materials to biotech, helping them grow as high-performance executives. I was founding CEO and later CSO of a venture-backed Silicon Valley AI startup (citrine.io). Northwestern PhD, Stanford MBA. Served on the engineering faculty at both Stanford and Northwestern.

I've been mentoring and coaching founders on communicating the value of their venture since 2019. Leveraging storytelling principles, we develop a pitch that showcases their idea and locks in the minds of prospective investors and clients. Once the story is written, I'll help you deliver it with polish and poise.

I've started multiple companies during business school and am currently the Co-Founder of Lifespark, a fast-growing men's reproductive health company. I'm passionate about all things consumer, healthcare, and tech.

Entrepreneur & VC investor turned executive coach. Went through the founder journey myself, from incubating an idea at a Stanford class, to customer discovery and early prototyping + MVP development, getting early traction, raising angel checks, putting together a core team, and launching => after a couple pivots built to 10M USD revenue while operating in five countries. Was backed by elite investors like Founders Fund. While at Stanford, was a student of Steve Blank's, the creator of the "Lean Startup Approach", in his class "The Lean Launchpad". Certified coach under the Co-Active Training Institute, Upbuild, and the Aletheia Advanced Coaching Training program. Have personally guided over a hundred people in exploring venture capital and entrepreneurship, as well as in general career coaching. I would love to meet you and hear about your goals. Please feel free to reach out if interested in exploring further.

Hey! I’m Michael, a founder and operator with a track record of building and scaling brands that reach over 25 million people monthly. I’m the Co-Founder and CEO of Famous Media Group, the parent company of AsianFeed, one of the largest Asian-centric digital media brands in the world. Through this work, I’ve partnered with leading organizations including Netflix, Disney, NBC, Instagram, Sony Pictures, the White House, and the U.S. State Department, and have contributed to high-impact initiatives such as the first-ever Lunar New Year activation at the Super Bowl and the 2024 Japanese State Visit. My work has landed me on Forbes 30 Under 30 and Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas, and I’ve been featured in outlets including CNN and Vox. After years of building and scaling a company, I earned my MBA from The Wharton School, adding a strong strategic and financial lens to my hands-on operating experience. I work with founders who are launching something new or scaling what they’ve already built, offering practical, real-world guidance rooted in experience rather than theory. If you’re looking to turn an idea into a company or grow an existing business with clarity and confidence, I’d love to help you move forward.

Building a successful startup isn't just about having a great idea—it's about having the clarity, resilience, and authentic voice needed to navigate the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship. My journey from corporate accounting to author and coach taught me that the most sustainable businesses are built by founders who understand their "why" and aren't afraid to lead with their authentic selves. Having helped multiple small businesses launch successful endeavors, I've seen how startups thrive when founders combine strategic thinking with deep self-awareness and the courage to advocate for their vision. I specialize in guiding startup founders through both the practical and personal challenges of building a business. Whether you're struggling to articulate your value proposition, finding your voice as a leader, or navigating the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, I help you build not just a successful business, but one that aligns with your values and leverages your unique strengths. My approach recognizes that startup success requires both analytical skills and emotional intelligence—and that your personal growth directly impacts your business growth.

Welcome to my profile! With a rich background in AI, biopharma, and medtech, I bring a unique blend of expertise to help startup founders navigate the complexities of launching and scaling their ventures. As a former founder of a venture-backed medtech startup and an advisor/investor in early-stage companies, I understand the challenges and opportunities in the startup ecosystem. My experience at Boston Consulting Group and as a Principal Program Manager Lead in AI equips me with strategic insights to drive innovation and growth. Whether you're refining your business model or seeking investment, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and turn your vision into reality!