Startup Coaches, Events, and Resources

I have founded 3 companies, one in tech marketing, one in health informatics and one in peer-to-peer healthcare. I have also advised startups in education, construction, property technology (proptech), consulting, marketplace applications and healthcare. My work, advisory work and board seats, combined with training from the Columbia Coaching Certification Program, give me strong skills to coach startup founders and executives. Not every situation will make sense, though, and I'll be honest when I don't think it's a good fit from my perspective.

Hi everyone! With over two decades of experience in the startup ecosystem, I have a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs and companies thrive. As the founder of multiple accelerator programs, including the highly-competitive USC startup accelerator and Hong Kong's first funded accelerator, I've guided over 3000 companies across diverse industries such as AI, edtech, and healthtech. My expertise lies in strategic growth, market entry, and improving unit economics, having helped startups raise over $350M and achieve successful exits. Additionally, as an adjunct professor at USC, I teach courses on growth marketing and venture initiation, making complex concepts accessible. Let's work together to turn your startup vision into reality. Reach out to get started!

I’m a co-founder of Amby Health, a Y Combinator W25 startup. I studied computer science at MIT as an undergraduate and later left a master’s program in machine learning to pursue my startup full time. I’ve been through the YC application process, the batch itself, and fundraised on Demo Day, which gives me firsthand context on how YC evaluates founders and early-stage ideas. I can help with: 1. YC applications and strategy Clarifying your story, tightening answers, and focusing on what YC actually cares about, especially for early or pre-traction teams. 2. Startup and career decision-making Thinking through startup versus big tech tradeoffs, timing risk, and why I chose the startup path over roles at companies like Google or Meta. If you are looking for clear, candid feedback from someone who has recently navigated these processes, I am happy to help.

I have spent 5 years coaching startup founders on fundraising, product, and growth strategy.

McKenzie Bauer is experienced in coaching startup founders, especially female founders because she’s lived the journey firsthand. As the co-founder of Thread Wallets, she helped grow the brand from a small idea launched out of her childhood bedroom into a nationally recognized lifestyle company. Through that process, she gained deep, practical experience in branding, marketing, leadership, and culture-building—all while navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Her background has made her particularly skilled at helping founders clarify their vision, build resilient teams, and scale with authenticity. She’s passionate about mentorship and emotional intelligence in leadership, using her own lessons from the startup world to guide others through early-stage challenges with confidence and creativity. As a Forbes 30 Under 30 Alumni in the Retail and E-Commerce Category, McKenzie's intuitive marketing skills, desire for authenticity and community building helped land Thread on the INC. 500 twice in 2020 and 2021.

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!

Welcome! With over two decades of experience in leadership and executive coaching, I specialize in empowering startup founders to navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses. As the Founder of Surko Coaching, I have partnered with high-potential leaders to enhance their executive presence, strategic decision-making, and resilience, ensuring they are equipped to lead with confidence and clarity. My extensive background includes roles such as Chief Experience Officer at Flowcode and Senior Vice President of Customer Success at Bluecore, where I drove significant growth and operational excellence. I am an ICF Accredited Coach and hold certifications in Career and Leadership Coaching, which I leverage to tailor my coaching approach to each client's unique needs. Let's connect to explore how I can support your journey to success!

Welcome to my profile! With a rich background in entrepreneurship and business development, I am passionate about guiding early-stage founders to success. As the Co-Founder of Sonic Unity and Entrepreneur in Residence at Oneday, I have firsthand experience in launching and scaling innovative ventures. My role as COO at QUALITY has honed my skills in strategic planning and leadership, ensuring that startups thrive in competitive markets. I also bring expertise from my consultancy, Be My Guest, where I specialize in building iconic brands and sustainable business models. Let's work together to turn your startup vision into reality—reach out to start your journey today!

I’ve worked across multiple startups, helping founders build products, hire early teams, design systems, and make decisions in the middle of chaos. I’ve taken on fractional executive roles, built AI-enabled workflows, shaped product and go-to-market strategy, and supported teams through the messy but important zero-to-one stages. My background blends strategy, operations, product thinking, and real hands-on execution — which means I can help you work through whatever you’re facing as a founder. My coaching focuses on clarity, momentum, and sustainable decision-making. Whether you’re validating an idea, building an MVP, sharpening your GTM, navigating early hiring, or trying to scale yourself as a leader, I help you break things down, see the blind spots, and move forward with a plan that actually works. You get a mix of strategic thought partnership and practical operator-level support.

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.