Pi-Lab
PEOPLESPACE INCUBATION LAB
We incubate founders attacking large, global markets and solving real problems using technology.
Our Pi-Lab guide startup teams through the process of turning their project into a startup through a product and growth focused program that includes Mentors strictly from 500 startups, YCombinator and Techstars. Our Startup Circles are focused accountability groups discussing topics such as: Validation, Traction, Pitching, Operations, Funding and more.
WHY PI-LAB?
1.
Get into a lean startup mindset
Most of the curricula of pre accelerators are heavily focused on the lean startup and customer development methodologies. An example is Startup Next that was built in close cooperation with Steve Blank. This knowledge help early stages founders to think lean early on.
2.
Get easy-access to the startup ecosystem
Most of the programs are powered by startup communities. Even in international branches like Startup Pirates, Founder Institute or Startup Next. Consequently the events gather main actors of the startup ecosystem (e.g. investors or incubators). Entrepreneurs get to know the right people from the startup scene who will help them in getting investment or expanding their customer base.
3.
Get exposure to accelerators and investors
Most of the companies will need to raise funds sooner or later. Pre-accelerators are usually a great way to get the teams closer to being investment-ready. In addition to that, the connections of the program organizers with local angels and accelerators increases the startup’s exposure to early-stage investors.
MENTORS:
All our mentors are 500 Startup, Ycomb and Techstar Alumni. Come join our family.
Thomas Knoll, COO Revelry Labs
500 Startups Mentor,
I help executives and entrepreneurs survive and thrive at building their teams and businesses.
I provide Executive Advisor & Business Coach services through Revelry Labs. I am also heavily involved in Revelry Ventures and work with our startup studio partners. Internally, I help the team level up within the Revelry organization as we continue to scale.
I have been building online communities for 19 years, working as community architect, product designer, social marketer, customer developer, founder and startup advisor for companies including Primeloop, 500Startups, LaunchRock, Zappos, UserVoice, and Seesmic.
For full bio: http://thomasknoll.info/
LinkedIn: Thomas Knoll
Crystal Huang, Co-Founder ProSky
500 Startups
Passionate about starting and continuing education initiatives that are innovative, creative, and collaborative in nature for Early Childhood Ed to Higher Ed!
Crystal Huang, Co-Founder ProSky
500 Startups
Passionate about starting and continuing education initiatives that are innovative, creative, and collaborative in nature for Early Childhood Ed to Higher Ed!
Keyvan Raoufi, Founder Vergent
Previous: PartnerHero, Drumbi #500Strong
My background in consumer market research gave me the qualitative and quantitive skills to analyze consumers and make sense of their behavior. My role as an Account Executive in an advertising agency allowed me the opportunity to help brands deliver their message at a global level. As a co-founder of a technology startup, I learned that building a company has more to do with the human aspect of things than what stack your building on.
Today, I’m building products that deliver delightful experiences.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keyvanraoufi
Startup NEXT Alumn
Kahlil Zahar, Co-Founder Hysko
Ycomb W16, Current: #500Strong
M. Zahar has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Laval University and a Master in Applied Sciences from the University of Toronto where he worked on the miniaturization of Ion Mobility Spectrometers (IMS) for his Master thesis. While launching Hykso , Mr. Zahar developed a novel signal processing method that is currently undergoing patent and publication review.M. Zahar has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Laval University and a Master in Applied Sciences from the University of Toronto where he worked on the miniaturization of Ion Mobility Spectrometers (IMS) for his Master thesis. While launching Hykso , Mr. Zahar developed a novel signal processing method that is currently undergoing patent and publication review.
Previous: Hackstar, Hacker in Residence Techstars
I’m the lead iOS Developer for a company called Resy (https://resy.com), a restaurant reservation and hospitality platform. I’ve been with Resy since the beginning and have helped the company grow from 10 restaurants in NYC to over 1k in over 50 different markets as well as go from 0 to 2.5 million reservation bookings / month via our platform. Before that I’ve worked for Techstars in NYC and Boston as a hacker in residence, building content management systems Viacom/Nickelodeon Digital, and architected digital streaming services for MLB Advanced Media.
Doug Hoang, Founder & CEO Enflux
Ycombinator W16
Doug Hoang, CEO of Enflux is a Ycombinator grad W16. Enflux makes motion capture clothing for various verticals such as health, physical therapy, sports and animation. He has a background in mass manufacturing and design. He previously worked at Harley Davidson and as chief engineer at Power Solutions. Doug has designed 2 engine programs from scratch to manufacturing and those products generated 500M in revenue and propelled a company to IPO. Enflux is currently a post-seed before Pre-Series A company.
YCom W16, Healthbox LA
ADVISORS:
I like computers and numbers. My career spans 30 years in Finance, Entrepreneurship and Information Technology businesses.
I serve on boards of numerous technology start-ups and non-profit foundations. I am fluent in managing significant P&L and headcount responsibilities of fortune 500s to bootstrap launching of lean startups. Some of the titles I held include Consultant, Consulting Manager, Global Director, Chief Architect, Chief Engineer, Chief Technology Officer, among others.
Mr. Erik Rannala is a Co-Founder, Managing Director and Managing Partner at MuckerLab. He serves as Advisor of Quixey, Inc. Mr. Rannala served as an Advisor at Sovereign’s Capital. He focused on investments in IT at the firm. Previously, he served as Vice President of Product Management and Strategy at TripAdvisor. Mr. Rannala was employed at Harrison Metal Capital. He spent over four years at eBay. Mr. Rannala also held leadership roles at MVP.com and at Accenture.
Mincheol Kim practices intellectual property law, specializing in patents, trademarks and other forms of intellectual property including copyrights and trade secrets. From his practice over 20 years, he has developed expertise in complex legal, technical and business issues in intellectual property procurement, disputes, litigation, licensing, legal opinions, and due diligence.
Mincheol has represented global technology leaders, universities and start-up companies in a wide range of industries and technologies, including biotechnology, material science, medical devices, semiconductor, secondary battery, display devices, mobile devices, software, IoT, business methods, automotive, shipbuilding and many others.
TEAM:
Melinda Kim, Executive Director PeopleSpace & Unilab
Being Executive Director of PeopleSpace allows me to facilitate a platform of collaboration for innovation through education and entrepreneurship programs. I believe we are better together.
Aside from my responsibilities, I’m also the co-organizer for OCTech Startup, Startup Weekend Organizer and NASA Space Apps Challenge. I also advise and consult with startups and companies on Business Development & Strategy, Statistics Driven Product Analysis, Community, Social and Content Engagement.
Full bio: http://melindakim.me/
Geraldina Scarascia, Marketing & Business Development Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
PeopleSpace Acceleration Program leads startup entrepreneurs through the process of turning their project into a startup through a program that includes Mentors and PeopleSpace Members. Our Startup Circles are focused group sessions based on entrepreneur roles: CEO, CTO, CMO (Growth), COO and Topics may include: any or all of the following: Validation, Traction, Pitching, Operations, Funding and more.
Each Session or Mentor meeting may consist between 1 – 1.5 hrs. Therefore, each week may require 3-5 hours of the entrepreneur’s time.
We accept teams minimum of 2.
Yes! Although, keep in mind that the program is designed for applicable skills and networking to work with you project. Therefore, for the session’s full effectiveness, having somewhat of a working product or project is ideal.
Our friends go through our Pitch Academy. You will receive coaching not only on your presentation but also your information and content of your deck. The Pitch Academy is designed to get you reach for pitching in front of investors or customers.
Being a member of PeopleSpace Access is required. Depending on the startup’s maturity, advisory % or a flat fee will apply.
We are now accepting applications:
Access to our startup circles, community and mentors.
Mandatory:
Weekly CEO Startup Circle
Monthly Mentor Meetings