Austin Fall 2025

Founder Institute Austin Mentors

Founder Institute Mentors join weekly feedback sessions, host office hours, and in general provide you feedback every step of the way. In addition, through our Equity Collective, Mentors are invested in the success of your company both during and after the program.

See the list of current and past mentors for the Austin program below.

Aaron Ali

Aaron Ali

CEO @ Helix
Aaron Chavez

Aaron Chavez

Managing Partner @ (un)conventional ventures
Abdellah Aouf

Abdellah Aouf

Chief Executive Officer @ GO PLATFORM
Abe Chu

Abe Chu

Co-founder & CMO @ NextSeed
Abhi Dobhal

Abhi Dobhal

Founder/ COO/CFO @ Warehouse Republic
Abhishek Kumbhat

Abhishek Kumbhat

Dr @ SapidBlue Technologies
Adam Weinroth

Adam Weinroth

CMO & Advisor @ Various Startups
Adeo Ressi

Adeo Ressi

CEO @ Decile Group / VC Lab
Aeryn Cagle

Aeryn Cagle

Aki Ohashi

Aki Ohashi

Vice President @ Evolution Ventures
Albert Baez

Albert Baez

President @ Blended Sense
Alexander Alt

Alexander Alt

Founder | Angel Investor @ Holstein Technology Ventures
Alexandru Bogdan

Alexandru Bogdan

Co-CEO @ Linnify
Amanda Lettmann

Amanda Lettmann

CEO, COO & Co-Founder @ Kardia Ventures/ SimpleDisability, Inc.
Amanda Eakin

Amanda Eakin

VP Marketing @ SaveDay
Amanda Patterson

Amanda Patterson

CEO @ RocketFuel Labs
Amos Schwartzfarb

Amos Schwartzfarb

Managing Director @ Techstars Austin
Andrew Millet

Andrew Millet

Founder @ Process Pro Consulting
Andy Hart

Andy Hart

Advisor @ a Mana Project
Anita Roberts

Anita Roberts

@ Silicon Hills Capital
Anu Pansare

Anu Pansare

CEO @ Volyx
Arturo Piña

Arturo Piña

President @ ProductCamp Austin
Ashley Jennings

Ashley Jennings

Managing Director @ Texas Innovation Center - Technology Commercialization at UT Austin
Ashley Connell

Ashley Connell

CEO & Founder @ Prowess Project
Becky Taylor

Becky Taylor

Interim Executive Director @ Austin Technology Incubator
Ben Stacey

Ben Stacey

CEO @ Pitchverk
Ben Chaib

Ben Chaib

Bob Bridge

Bob Bridge

Founder and Executive Director @ SWAN Impact Network
Bora Laci

Bora Laci

Assistant Director of Programs @ SMU Tower
Bre Cruickshank

Bre Cruickshank

Founder & CEO @ Radical Girl Gang
Brendan Kennedy

Brendan Kennedy

Co-President: Austin @ Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs Texas
Brett Beckett

Brett Beckett

Vice President - Finance & Strategy @ Realogy - Independence Title
Brian Hammer

Brian Hammer

Founder & CEO @ Residual Media
Brian Childress

Brian Childress

Architect, Technical Advisor @ Calendly
Brian Sparkes

Brian Sparkes

Head of Communications @ Bay Angels
Brianna Mc Kernon

Brianna Mc Kernon

Chief of Staff @ Aspen Insights
Candace Ohm

Candace Ohm

Founder @ Canz.Art
Candice Digby

Candice Digby

Partnerships and Events Director @ Vapor IO
Cara McCarty

Cara McCarty

CEO @ Betterleave
Caroline Healey

Caroline Healey

Director @ Antler
Catalin Briciu

Catalin Briciu

Co-Founder | Co-CEO @ Linnify
Chad Barrett

Chad Barrett

Business Performance Adviser @ Insperity
Charles Martin

Charles Martin

Co-Founder @ Flux Bucket
Chintan Oza

Chintan Oza

Founder @ Anantam Ecosystems
Chris Palmisano

Chris Palmisano

Investor @ Sano Ventures, LLC
Chris Turnley

Chris Turnley

Chris Smurthwaite

Chris Smurthwaite

Founder @ VC Insider
Christiana Yebra

Christiana Yebra

CEO @ Vouch
Corey Rose

Corey Rose

Vice President, Global Technology & Innovation @ Opportunity Austin
Cs Freeland

Cs Freeland

Co-Founder @ Texas Venture Association
Dana Marruffo

Dana Marruffo

Principal @ Buzz Public Relations, LLC
Dana Abramovitz

Dana Abramovitz

Founding Team @ SXSW
Daniel Alvarez

Daniel Alvarez

Vice President, Disruptive Technology & Disruptive Commerce @ JPMorgan Chase & Co
Daniel Hernandez

Daniel Hernandez

Founder & CEO @ Palaterra
Daphne Bernicker

Daphne Bernicker

CEO @ HumanAim
Dave Heimnuck

Dave Heimnuck

CEO / Founder @ Hidrent
Dave Blake

Dave Blake

Owner @ Spirit Pieces
David Kobierowski

David Kobierowski

David Robinson Jr.

David Robinson Jr.

Founding Member @ Blueprint Local
David Franklin

David Franklin

Founder & CEO @ knowRX
David Gibson

David Gibson

David Mandel

David Mandel

Managing Partner @ Managing PartnerManaging Partner Emerging Ventures Fund
David Valentino

David Valentino

Managing Director @ Austin Venture Association
David Hendrawirawan

David Hendrawirawan

Founder @ Data Integrity First
Dean Cruse

Dean Cruse

Principal @ DC Marketing
Dennis Dayman

Dennis Dayman

Startup Advisor & Seed Investor @ Bluewater International, LLC
Dennis Menendez

Dennis Menendez

@ Founder Institute Austin
Diane Yoo

Diane Yoo

Managing Partner @ Medingenii Capital
Dianthe Skurko

Dianthe Skurko

Principal @ GVC Partners
Dr. Nikki Siso

Dr. Nikki Siso

Founder @ The Conscious Collective
Dustin Byington

Dustin Byington

@ Two12
Ed Latson

Ed Latson

CEO & President @ Opportunity Austin
Edward Madongorere

Edward Madongorere

Co-Founder, CEO @ Moon
Emma Borochoff

Emma Borochoff

Head of Marketing @ 8fig
Emmit Schultz

Emmit Schultz

Founder & CEO @ Savi, Inc.
Eric Fishhaut

Eric Fishhaut

President @ MKB Services
Eric Samdahl

Eric Samdahl

CEO / Founder @ GHSD Group
Eric Salwan

Eric Salwan

Co-founder @ Firefly Aerospace
Erin Pitts

Erin Pitts

Founder / Creative Partner @ The Label Collective
Ezinne Udezue

Ezinne Udezue

@ WP Engine
Fabian Geyrhalter

Fabian Geyrhalter

Founder and Principal @ FINIEN
Francesco Cassinerio

Francesco Cassinerio

Mentor @ Founder Institute Texas
Frankie Arvelo

Frankie Arvelo

Startup Counsel @ Arvelo PLLC
Franklin Kamnang Ngansop

Franklin Kamnang Ngansop

Cofounder @ Vitamin C&S Coaching
Gabriel Rucker

Gabriel Rucker

Co-Founder & CEO @ Founding Titans
Garrett Dailey

Garrett Dailey

Co-Founder; CEO @ Lucid Consulting
Gary Forni

Gary Forni

Chairman @ Central Texas Angel Network
Gennadiy Goldenshteyn

Gennadiy Goldenshteyn

Managing Partner @ First Principles, LLC
Ghazi Saddem

Ghazi Saddem

CEO @ Ghazi Saddem Consulting
Gigi Kizhakkechethipuzha

Gigi Kizhakkechethipuzha

Founder @ ImpelHub
Gray Mc Dowell

Gray Mc Dowell

Certified Business Performance Advisor @ Insperity
Guc Ozenci

Guc Ozenci

Connector | Advisor @ ConnectOp
Guy Parker

Guy Parker

Chief Strategy & Creative Officer @ Ambient Way
Harrison Wells

Harrison Wells

VC @ Notley
Haynes Dallas

Haynes Dallas

CEO @ Managed Facility Solutions (MFS),
Hazel Chappell

Hazel Chappell

CEO | Founder @ ishca health Inc
Heath Butler

Heath Butler

Founder/Managing Partner @ Gestalt Growth Advisors
Heather Buffo

Heather Buffo

Heidi Leach

Heidi Leach

Vice President, Emerging Tech & Disruptive CommerceVice President, Emerging Tech & Disruptive Commerce @ JP Morgan
Horacio Rodriguez Rilo

Horacio Rodriguez Rilo

Founder @ Boop
Howard Freidman

Howard Freidman

Managing Partner @ Bluechip Jets
Hugh Forrest

Hugh Forrest

Chief Programming Officer @ SXSW
Ian Bidot

Ian Bidot

@ Jon Brumley Texas Venture Labs
Ignacio Castro

Ignacio Castro

Managing Partner @ 128vc
Ivelin Ivanov

Ivelin Ivanov

Venture Advisor @ Founder Institute
Jacqueline Hughes

Jacqueline Hughes

Founder @ Austin Startup Week
Jaleh Daie, Ph.D

Jaleh Daie, Ph.D

Chairman/Founder, AgFoodHealthSpan (AFH Vertical) @ Band of Angels
James Phelan

James Phelan

Investment & Growth @ The Cannon
Janice Omadeke

Janice Omadeke

CEO @ The Mentor Method
Jasmin Brand

Jasmin Brand

Founder / CEO @ Her Texas
Jasmin Brand

Jasmin Brand

CEO and Founder @ Her Texas
Jason Taylor

Jason Taylor

Jason Assir

Jason Assir

Principal Consultant @ Opex Digital Consulting
Jason Scharf

Jason Scharf

Creator and Co-Host @ Austin Next
Jason Rigolli

Jason Rigolli

Jason Rigolli

Jason Rigolli

Mahdlo @ CRO
Jason W. Taylor

Jason W. Taylor

President & Founder @ CodeLaunch Accelerator
Javier Arriagada

Javier Arriagada

Founder & CEO @ Straton Investments
Javy Martinez

Javy Martinez

Managing Director | Startup Advisor | Event Host @ Founder Institute North Texas
Jeff Eversmann

Jeff Eversmann

Mentor @ FI
Jenaro Diaz

Jenaro Diaz

Founder & CIO @ Minero
Jodie Slater Hastings

Jodie Slater Hastings

Co-Founder @ The Slate
Joe Daniels

Joe Daniels

Partner, Co-Chair - Emerging Companies @ Partner & Co-Chair, Emerging Companies Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Joe Merrill

Joe Merrill

Partner @ Sputnik ATX / Linden Ventures
Joe Beard

Joe Beard

Founder / CEO @ Advisor
Joey Jones

Joey Jones

Co-Founder/Chief Revenue & Compliance Officer @ CurveBlock Ltd
John Bianchi

John Bianchi

CEO @ The Omega Agency
Jonathan Libby

Jonathan Libby

Partner Development Manager @ Tableau
Jose Padilla

Jose Padilla

Jose Angel Ortega

Jose Angel Ortega

Investor @ VC
José Luis Silva Vázquez

José Luis Silva Vázquez

Co-Founder & Managing Partner @ Dux Capital
Joseph Liu

Joseph Liu

Venture Partner @ Wise Ocean
Joyce Durst

Joyce Durst

CEO & Co-Founder @ Acceleration Growth Partners
Juan Thurman

Juan Thurman

Managing General Partner @ SWAN Impact Fund
Juan Martinez

Juan Martinez

Founder @ HyveCity
Judy Tsuei

Judy Tsuei

Founder @ Wild Hearted Words
June W Choi

June W Choi

Managing Partner @ Serval Ventures
Justin Mc Kenzie

Justin Mc Kenzie

Vice President @ Bandera Electric Cooperative
Katie Russel

Katie Russel

Executive Director @ Central Texas Angel Network
Ken Pomella

Ken Pomella

Business Coach & Consultant @ Ken Pomella, LLC
Kendall Gallagher

Kendall Gallagher

Head of Sales @ Skaled
Kennie Matthews

Kennie Matthews

Chairman & CEO @ M Infrastructure, Inc.
Kevin Sharp

Kevin Sharp

General Partner @ WIV Ventures
K.J. Royal

K.J. Royal

Founder @ Join Sprints
Kristie Whites

Kristie Whites

FOUNDER & CEO @ Serving Social
Kristy Alballero

Kristy Alballero

Co-Founder & CFO @ IOOGO
Kwame Boler

Kwame Boler

Co-Founder & CEO @ Spritz
Kyle Wiggins

Kyle Wiggins

@ Assembly
Laura Kamrath

Laura Kamrath

CEO @ Zebra Marketing Solutions
Lauren Washington

Lauren Washington

Co-Founder @ Black Women Talk Tech/Fundr
Lauren Postler

Lauren Postler

Founder & Managing Partner @ Solution Focused
Levi McMellian

Levi McMellian

CEO | Founding Partner | Managing Director @ CFO4Life
Lily Turner

Lily Turner

Manager, Global Investment & Innovation @ Opportunity Austin
Lito Rodriguez

Lito Rodriguez

Partner @ DWX Par
Logan Jennings

Logan Jennings

Managing Partner @ Global Profit Advisors
Lucas Chaya Del Pino

Lucas Chaya Del Pino

Entrepreneur - RE investor @ CHL Rentals
Malcolm Woods

Malcolm Woods

Founder - Alumni @ Meander Travel
Mara Rada

Mara Rada

Chief Operations and Strategy @ Loon (loonbio.com)
Marc Nathan

Marc Nathan

Senior Director of Market Development @ Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Marcos Rodriguez

Marcos Rodriguez

Mentor Investor @ Rodriguez Capital Holdings LLC
Maria Pienaar

Maria Pienaar

Principal @ First Principles
Mariana Muntean

Mariana Muntean

Founder & CEO @ Cinevva
Mariano Gonzalez

Mariano Gonzalez

Founder and General Partner @ MGV Capital Group
Mario Soave

Mario Soave

Founder @ CleverFi
Marlon Montgomery

Marlon Montgomery

Director of Technology & Product @ Globant / MediaTech.ventures
Martín Martinez

Martín Martinez

Founding & Executive Director @ Founder Institute Texas
Mason Mote

Mason Mote

Founder, Managing Partner & General Counsel @ Pearl River Companies
Matt Brown

Matt Brown

HEAD OF TECH & GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT @ Galaxy Venture Capital
Mauricio Delgado

Mauricio Delgado

Co-founder and CPO @ Nada
Maxim Nazarov

Maxim Nazarov

Investment Director @ FinSight VC
Melisa Pinto-Rivera, MS

Melisa Pinto-Rivera, MS

Founder @ Creativa Impact Capital
Melissa Unsell-Smith

Melissa Unsell-Smith

Co-founder and President @ https://rectifydata.com
Mellie Price

Mellie Price

Executive Director @ Texas Venture Labs, University of Texas at Austin
Mercedes Bankston

Mercedes Bankston

Founder @ Funderstar LTD
Miao Yan

Miao Yan

Global Product Manager-Alternate Energy @ Xylem
Michael Morton

Michael Morton

CEO @ Morton Consulting Group
Michelle Witt

Michelle Witt

Principal @ Propelled Marketing
Mike Breck

Mike Breck

Principal @ Acuity Thinking
Mike Solow

Mike Solow

Molly Walsh

Molly Walsh

Director @ Founder Institute, Miami Florida
Muhammad Hamza Altaf

Muhammad Hamza Altaf

@ Soop.io
Naina Agarwal

Naina Agarwal

Mrs @ Apple
Najiba Wajiha Mahboob

Najiba Wajiha Mahboob

CEO @ Toureela
Nakevia Miller

Nakevia Miller

Founder @ Nakevia Designs
Narek Gevorgyan

Narek Gevorgyan

Natasha Gorodetsky

Natasha Gorodetsky

Founder&Head of Product @ Product Pursuits
Nathan Ryan

Nathan Ryan

CEO and Co-Founder @ Blue Sky Partners
Navin Jagannath

Navin Jagannath

Principal @ KRP Consulting
Neha Sampat

Neha Sampat

Founder, CEO @ Contentstack
Nelly Yusupova

Nelly Yusupova

Founder @ TechSpeak.co
Nelly Yusupova

Nelly Yusupova

Founder @ TechSpeak.co
Nick Hahn

Nick Hahn

President & Founder @ Creative Liberation
Nikola Korac

Nikola Korac

CEO @ Downstream IT Solutions
Noah Wallach

Noah Wallach

Founder @ Hope OS
Oji Udezue

Oji Udezue

@ Typeform
Oksana Malysheva

Oksana Malysheva

Managing Partner & CEO @ Sputnik ATX
Oleg Lysiak

Oleg Lysiak

Partner Success Manager @ Honeycomb Software
Omar Zaki

Omar Zaki

Founder @ Qima Ventures
Pablo Vidal Arean

Pablo Vidal Arean

CMO @ VC Lab
Paola Origel

Paola Origel

Co-Founder & Managing Partner @ ChainLink Capital
Paul O'Brien

Paul O'Brien

CEO @ MediaTech Ventures
Pavan Kumar

Pavan Kumar

Founder @ 3pmVentures
Peter Busch

Peter Busch

@ Meet Jane
Prerna Sharma

Prerna Sharma

Associate Partner @ Antler
Q Manning

Q Manning

Head of Design @ SmartAC.com
Rafael Kartaszynski

Rafael Kartaszynski

CEO @ TechEdge Dynamics
Rahul Agarwal

Rahul Agarwal

Principal Technical Product Manager @ Hasura
Ram Prasad

Ram Prasad

Fractional CPO/CTO @ Delence
Richard Delgado

Richard Delgado

Partner @ ERA Capital Partners
Riley Knox

Riley Knox

Founder @ Accelerate3D
Robert Balderas

Robert Balderas

Founder & CEO @ Bob's Containers
Rogelio De los Santos

Rogelio De los Santos

Cofounder and Managing Partner @ Dalus Capital & FI Monterrey
Roger Heaston

Roger Heaston

President & CEO @ Refinition
Roland Peña

Roland Peña

SVP Global Tech & Innovation @ Opportunity Austin
Saima Siddiqui

Saima Siddiqui

Director of Product Management @ Joyride.com
Sally Aiello

Sally Aiello

Business Development @ Walmart
Samuel Riehn

Samuel Riehn

Chief Executive Officer @ SBIR Advisors Inc.
Sara Davidson

Sara Davidson

Managing Partner @ Undeniable Ventures
Scott G. Cornelius

Scott G. Cornelius

VP @ Refinition
Sean Bauld

Sean Bauld

Founder & Chief Experiment Officer @ spxk
Sean Voigt

Sean Voigt

Founder & Managing Director @ Mount Koya Capital & Advisors
Sebastien Long

Sebastien Long

Founder & CEO @ Lodgeur
Shelby Stephens

Shelby Stephens

Founder & CEO @ GrowthMatch
Shlomi Podgaetz

Shlomi Podgaetz

Director/CEO @ Rizasmart Consulting
Shree Moorthy

Shree Moorthy

Senior Vice President @ Vertex Software
Sloan Foster

Sloan Foster

Principal @ Envisage Associates
Sneha Lundia Agrawal

Sneha Lundia Agrawal

Founder & CEO @ Step2Growth
Sophia Clark

Sophia Clark

Founder & Creative Director @ Galiatea
Stefan Brunner

Stefan Brunner

Angel Investor @ CTAN
Sterling Smith

Sterling Smith

CEO @ Sandbox Commerce
Steve Jennis

Steve Jennis

Founder and CEO @ Jennis Consulting Group
Tarun Gulati

Tarun Gulati

Founder & CEO @ Contemplate
Taylor Johnson

Taylor Johnson

Partner, Performance Coach @ The Liminal Collective
Thom Singer

Thom Singer

CEO @ Austin Technology Council
Tiana Laurence

Tiana Laurence

GP @ Laurence Innovation
Tim De Silva

Tim De Silva

Founder & CEO @ Culture Pilot
Tony Banning

Tony Banning

Chairman @ Smash
Trey Ikard

Trey Ikard

@ WIV Ventures
Ty Audronis

Ty Audronis

Founder/ ceo @ Tempest Droneworx
Ty Audronis

Ty Audronis

CEO @ Tempest Droneworx
Tyler Durman

Tyler Durman

CEO & Founder @ Ignition Growth Consulting
Ugochi Owo

Ugochi Owo

CEO @ Flindel
Unnat Bak

Unnat Bak

CEO @ Revscale
Valentina Gomez

Valentina Gomez

CX-UX-UI Designer @ Yonderinteractive
Valliappan Narayanan

Valliappan Narayanan

Director of Engineering @ AT&T
Vidhi Data

Vidhi Data

@ She Raises Capital
Vivek Dixit

Vivek Dixit

Managing Partner @ 369 Growth Partners
Wesley Grottesman

Wesley Grottesman

Partner @ Brand Foundry Ventures
William Douglas

William Douglas

CEO @ OpticWise
Wogbe Ofori

Wogbe Ofori

Founder @ Wrx Companies
Yagub Rahimov

Yagub Rahimov

Founder @ Polygraf AI
Yemi Oluseun

Yemi Oluseun

Growth & GTM For FinTechs @ The Change Hive
Yj Lin

Yj Lin

Senior Program Manager @ Dell
YJ Lin

YJ Lin

Program Manager @ Dell for Entrepreneurs
CTA BG

Apply to FI Core

Join the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator

The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,500 entrepreneurs raise over $1.85BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.


Copyright © 2025, Founder Institute, Inc. All Rights Reserved