Startup Careers

With a robust background as a former McKinsey consultant and a current Wharton MBA candidate, I bring a wealth of experience to help you navigate the competitive landscape of startup careers. My journey from engineering at Rice University to strategic roles at Shell and McKinsey has equipped me with unique insights into both corporate and startup environments. I've successfully coached over 60 candidates into MBB firms, and I'm passionate about leveraging that expertise to help you break into the startup world. Whether you're refining your pitch, honing your problem-solving skills, or crafting a compelling narrative, I'm here to provide clear feedback and insider insights.

Breaking into startups is harder than it looks: the roles are often unlisted, the processes are inconsistent, and your background (MBA, Consulting, IB, etc.) doesn't automatically qualify you the way you'd expect. During my MBA at Kellogg, I recruited for BizOps, Chief of Staff, and Strategic Projects roles across ~15 startups, ultimately accepting a Chief of Staff offer at Arch, a Series B FinTech. Before that, at Human Capital, I worked directly with startup recruiters to place talent across a Series A–D portfolio so I understand what hiring managers are actually looking for, and how to succeed in an interview process. I help MBAs, consultants, and operators with: - Positioning your background for generalist startup roles - Building and executing a networking strategy to get into roles - Resume and application prep that speaks the startup hiring language - Interview prep for long, ambiguous, multi-stage startup processes If you're trying to break into a BizOps or Chief of Staff role at a startup, book a free intro call.

Welcome to my profile! As a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of multiple innovative startups, including Mintplex Labs and Whale Laboratories, I bring firsthand experience in navigating the dynamic world of startups. My journey through Y Combinator and my role in scaling AI and software products have equipped me with the insights needed to help aspiring entrepreneurs and startup professionals succeed. Whether you're looking to break into the startup scene or elevate your current venture, I'm here to provide tailored advice and strategic support. Let's connect and chart your path to success in the startup world!

I'm here to help you navigate the complexities of breaking into and building your startup career. I was once in your shoes as I transitioned from consulting into startups. I began my startup career at Uber in the early days, and have since worked at multiple early-stage startups, one of which was acquired by Airbnb. I have been fortunate to experience 3 exits - 2 IPOs and an acquisition. I know how to think through the challenges of choosing one startup over another, navigate an industry pivot, and weigh the trade-offs of working at an early-stage vs. an established startup.

With an MBA from Chicago Booth and extensive experience across the startup and venture capital ecosystems, I specialize in helping candidates and founders navigate high-stakes career moves. As a Senior Associate Director & Industry Advisor at UC Berkeley, I have guided over 1,500 students and alumni through the competitive tech and VC landscape. My core expertise lies in offer evaluation and compensation strategy—helping advisees secure optimal titles, maximize base pay, and structure equity packages. Through strategic equity negotiation, I have helped my clients generate millions of dollars in long-term wealth. Whether you're evaluating a startup offer or preparing to negotiate your equity, I’m here to help you maximize your value.

I help CEOs and operators as they prepare to raise capital by translating investor expectations into clear, practical fundraising guidance. I have 4+ years across Private Equity, Growth Equity, and VC, and most recently served as an investor on Summit Partners’ flagship $10B fund, focused on technology investments. I also spent a year at Griffin Gaming Partners, where I evaluated earlier-stage gaming companies and infrastructure businesses. I graduated from Harvard, where I taught the largest Venture Capital club on campus to 100+ undergraduates. I designed the curriculum myself and mentored students on investing fundamentals, company analysis, and how to think like a VC or growth equity investor. I bring that same investor perspective to helping founders sharpen their pitch, anticipate diligence questions, and communicate their business more effectively.

Welcome! With over 20 years of experience in leadership roles across top companies like Flowcode and Bluecore, I bring a wealth of knowledge in executive coaching and startup career development. As the Founder of Surko Coaching, I specialize in helping high-potential leaders transition from operational roles to boardroom command, enhancing their executive presence and strategic decision-making skills. My approach is tailored to address self-limiting beliefs and build resilience, ensuring my clients are equipped to thrive in dynamic startup environments. Whether you're looking to refine your leadership style or navigate complex organizational changes, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and chart your path to success!

I've worked across almost every stage of technology company, from 9-person IT shops to MongoDB and AWS, before leaving Big Tech to join Poolside as employee #47. At Poolside, I experienced the startup journey firsthand: rapid growth, building teams and products from scratch, changing roles as the company evolved, working directly with executives, and ultimately navigating a major strategic transaction and company restructuring. I can help people evaluate startup opportunities beyond the headline salary or company hype: stage and runway, equity and dilution, role scope, founder quality, career upside, compensation, risk, and whether joining actually makes sense for where you want your career to go. I'm particularly useful for people deciding whether to leave a larger company for a startup, comparing multiple offers, negotiating startup compensation, or trying to understand what working at an early-stage company is really like.