StartX

🚀 Sign Up for the 9/26 Info Session Webinar for StartX Spring 2025! 🚀 Applications for the Spring 2025 batch are now open and close on October 13th. Don’t miss your chance to join the premier startup community, accelerator and fellowship for Stanford founders! To support prospective applicants, we’re hosting a series of info sessions to help you learn more about the program and application process: 🖥️ Webinars: • 9/26, 4-5 PM (Tomorrow!) https://lu.ma/3whj3uek • 10/8, 5-6 PM https://lu.ma/ugk2sca9 🏫 In-Person Info Session @ Stanford GSB: • 10/3, 6:30-8 PM https://lu.ma/xe87xx0k During these sessions, you'll gain insights into: • An overview of StartX and our program • The application process and key timelines • What we look for in successful applicants You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and connect with the team directly. Sign up today to secure your spot! Also feel free to share this with your friends and colleagues. 📄 Ready to apply? Submit your application here: https://startx.com/apply

Last week’s event at The Stanford d.school was a fantastic exploration of the future of digital ecommerce. We were thrilled to have our CEO, Kyle Wong, as part of the expert panel! 🎤💡 Alongside leaders like Marc Kirmoyan from SAP and Justin Ferrell Lisa Kay Solomon from The Stanford d.school, Kyle shared insights from his entrepreneurial journey and how AI and design thinking are transforming ecommerce—elevating it from simple transactions to deeply engaging, human-centered experiences. The discussions opened up exciting conversations about making digital shopping more intuitive, personalized, and impactful. A huge thank you to The Stanford d.school and SAP for hosting this forward-thinking event. We’re excited to see how these insights shape the future of ecommerce! 🚀🚀🚀 #StartX #DigitalEcommerce #Innovation #DesignThinking #AI #Stanforddschool #SAP #Leadership

We are back with another StartX Founder Spotlight! Meet Lawrence Gentilello: A visionary entrepreneur now leading Optery, a cutting-edge data privacy company. His journey is a true testament to innovation, resilience, and pushing boundaries in the tech world. Five years before Facebook, StartX alum Lawrence Gentilello and two Stanford classmates co-created Steamtunnels, the university’s first online Facebook. By combining Stanford's "WhoIs" directory with student photos from the printed Facebook, the platform offered an early glimpse into the future of social networking—until it was shut down by Stanford’s administration. Despite the setback, Lawrence’s entrepreneurial spirit never wavered. Today, he is the CEO and Founder of Optery, a company on a mission to put consumers in control of their personal data. Optery’s award-winning opt-out software automatically removes private information from hundreds of data brokers, empowering individuals to reclaim their privacy in the digital age. Before founding Optery, Lawrence sharpened his expertise in data management and tech leadership. He led Accenture’s Data Management Platforms practice in North America and held key roles at Oracle and BlueKai, shaping the industry’s data-driven solutions.. As a Stanford undergrad, Lawrence co-founded innovative companies like Screenleap, which pioneered frictionless screen sharing long before remote work became common. As a StartX alum, he continues to inspire future founders with his vision and impact. We are so thankful to have you in our community! Stay tuned as we bring more incredible stories from our diverse and unique StartX community! #FounderSpotlight #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #StartX #Stanford

We are back with another StartX Founder Feature and we are ecstatic to introduce Rachael Wallach, the founder and CEO of Limber Mobility. 💫 Rachael’s story begins when an unexpected fall resulted in a spinal cord injury at just 18 years old. This life-changing event shaped her future, inspiring her to spend a decade working with the UK’s National Health Service and serving on the board of advisors. Her work eventually led her to become Vice Chair of the UK’s largest disability charity, where she advised on policy and government initiatives. Witnessing the rapid evolution of technology, Wallach became aware of how people with disabilities were being left behind. Determined to drive innovation, she applied to Stanford GSB with a mission to create impactful change. 🌎 Upon entering Stanford’s StartX incubator, Rachael founded Limber Technologies, a company initially focused on creating customized wheelchairs. “With six months of free office space, I was able to officially register my company and begin building a strong network of fellow entrepreneurs”, Wallach said. During her time at StartX, her company pivoted to developing sensors designed to detect when someone is at risk of falling—a crucial innovation given that 1 in 4 older adults experience difficulty walking, leading to 36 million falls annually and $50 billion in healthcare costs. Wallach mentioned that StartX played a critical role in this transition, providing guidance on registering her company, managing her student visa, and connecting with lawyers. Rachael’s advice to others in the StartX program is simple yet powerful: “ It's all about the community. Ask for help, be curious, and lean on the network of founders who are eager to support you." Rachael Wallach, we are so thankful to have you in our community. 💚 🖤

Continuing our StartX Founder Series, we’re excited to introduce Senan Khawaja, the Co-Founder & CEO of Kollegio, who is revolutionizing higher education with cutting-edge AI. 💫 A Stanford graduate with a degree in econometrics and international development, Senan’s journey reflects his passion for creating equitable educational opportunities. He is driven by his mission to leverage the power of technology and education to create positive and lasting impact in the world. Recognizing the lack of accessible college counseling, Senan founded Kollegio AI to aid the admissions process. The platform, which has attracted nearly 10,000 users globally, assists students in navigating everything from school selection to admissions essay writing, all while upholding ethical standards—no auto-generated essays. Senan Khawaja isn’t just building a company; he’s leveling the playing field in education, ensuring every student has a fair shot at success. We are so grateful to have Senan in our StartX Community! 💚 To Learn more ➡ : https://www.kollegio.ai/

StartX Summer 2024 VIP Night! 🎉 Last Thursday, we hosted our Summer 2024 VIP night that featured the incredible innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that thrives here within the StartX community. Our Summer 2024 founders showcased projects that unveiled the future of innovation. From pioneering deeptech solutions to next-generation AI applications, our founders are not just innovating—they're setting new standards across industries. The energy was electric, the ideas were transformative, and the potential was limitless with over 200+ attendees. This event was more than just a showcase—it was a celebration of the relentless drive and creativity that fuels startups at StartX. We're immensely proud of what our founders are building and can’t wait to see how they’ll impact the world. Thank you to everyone who made the night unforgettable, and a special shoutout to the entire StartX team and community of alumni, mentors, and partners for making this event possible!#StartX #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups

Introducing the Founder Spotlight Series to highlight our community! Starting with Kathryn Zealand | SKIP | StartX P24 Kathryn's entrepreneurial journey began in an unexpected place: a pet fish business she started at age 12. Balancing early business endeavors with prepping for her Science Olympiads, Kathryn’s passion for tackling challenges was clear and has continued throughout her entire career. This early experience set the stage for a career characterized by innovative problem-solving and drive to make a difference at large scale. Kathryn’s career journey may look scattered, but it’s tied together by a drive to leverage her practical skills and quantitative background to address the world’s most pressing challenges. She produced policy documents and organized conferences for the International Criminal Court and human rights NGOs in Egypt, Senegal, & Uganda. She modeled climate change with quantum mechanics. She set up the Diabetes Care Project, the largest randomized controlled trial for diabetes care worldwide. She developed an economic development strategy for Nigeria while at the McKinsey Global Institute. Kathryn didn’t just want to work on a good cause but was thoughtful maximizing impact. She then went to Google X, Alphabet’s “moonshot factory,” where she eventually became GM for several high-tech robotics projects. In 2019, Kathryn saw her grandmother’s mobility decline and was disappointed by the lack of solutions for 1-in-5 adults who struggle with movement. After years of prototyping and refinement of wearable robotics solutions, Kathryn spun the project out into Skip, co-founded with Anna Roumiantseva. Much like e-bikes sit between pedal bikes and motorbikes, movewear sits between clothing and exoskeletons to provide support. Skip recently unveiled their first product called MO/GO, an "e-bike for walking," developed in partnership with Arc’teryx. MO/GO’s potential to revolutionize mobility has received significant attention: According to a Fast Company article, the exoskeleton is intuitive, beautifully designed, and transformative, showcasing Skip's vision of blending advanced technology with practical, life-enhancing products. Kathryn credits her global upbringing and experiences to her ability to fearlessly challenge the status-quo: “If you see something like healthcare done in several different ways in different places, it becomes easier to imagine alternative futures, and then work to make it a reality.” Kathryn Zealand’s journey is one of relentless pursuit of innovation and impact. From selling pet fish to launching moonshot technologies, her journey has been a testament to curiosity's power and desire to make the world a better place. Her work continues to inspire and push forward the boundaries of what’s possible. She has proven again and again that even the most ambitious goals can be achieved with passion and determination. We are so grateful that Kathryn in our StartX community! https://lnkd.in/gQbz-mT4

Thank you to Ashraf Hebela, CFA for an insightful and candid discussion on the investing landscape. And Erin Lashbrook for bringing together such an amazing set of people in the JP Morgan world across biotech, sustainability and AI to StartX. The StartX program gets even better with this network and resources. We look forward to this partnership to support the best of Stanford founders and build a better future. Last week, we had the privilege of hosting a JPM-sponsored fireside chat with two incredible leaders in the innovation and startup space: Ashraf Hebela, Co-Head of Technology Banking & Head of Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan, shared his vast experience serving startups across Technology, Disruptive Commerce, Life Sciences, Climate Technology, and Healthcare IT. With a deep understanding of the Innovation Economy and a national team dedicated to helping founders succeed, Ashraf's insights were invaluable. Kyle Wong, CEO of StartX, brought his unique perspective on driving growth and innovation within the startup ecosystem, making the conversation even more enriching. It was a fantastic afternoon of learning, networking, and engaging discussions, followed by a delicious lunch! Thank you to Erin and everyone on the JP Morgan team who joined us, and thanks to Ashraf and Kyle for their time and insights. Let’s continue to drive innovation and support the next generation of startup founders! hashtag #StartX #Startups #Innovation #TechBanking #Entrepreneurship #Networking #SiliconValley

Last Thursday, we hosted an incredible panel featuring some of Silicon Valley's most influential venture capitalists! We were honored to have: Sarah Smith, Founder of Sarah Smith Fund and Stanford professor, who shared her invaluable insights from her journey at Meta/Facebook, Quora, and Bain Capital Ventures. With $50M invested in 70+ companies, Sarah provided deep wisdom on building company culture and supporting founder CEOs. Bilal Zuberi, Partner at Lux Capital, who captivated the audience with his wits and nearly two decades of experience in deeptech and healthcare investments. He has led investments in companies like Applied Intuition and Aurora Solar, and holds a PhD from MIT. Richard Boyle, General Partner at Canaan, offered a masterclass on real estate tech, AI, robotics, and marketplaces. As the former CEO of LoopNet, he led the company through a successful IPO and a $900 million sale to CoStar Group. His investments include Apartment List and Diligent Robotics. The event was a fantastic opportunity to gain insights from top investors and connect with industry leaders. Also a huge thank you to our moderator, StartX CEO Kyle Wong, for guiding an insightful and inspiring discussion. Thank you, everyone who attended and made it a memorable evening! #StartX #VentureCapital #Networking #SiliconValley #Entrepreneurship #Startups

One of our favorite events of the summer session thus far 😎, the Unicorn Panel @ StartX! We had the privilege of hosting the StartX Unicorn Founders Panel, featuring two visionary entrepreneurs: Charlie Gao, founder of Lime and Crafting, and Jonathan Siddharth, founder of Turing. A huge thank you to our moderator, StartX CEO Kyle Wong, for guiding an insightful and inspiring discussion. The quality of insights from these industry leaders and experts was truly transformative, leaving us all motivated and ready to take on new challenges! Afterwards, we hosted a community dinner, where the conversations and connections continued. It was a fantastic evening of collaborating and building relationships! #StartX #UnicornFounders #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Inspiration #Community