📬 Daily brief — 6am Pacific.
How this list works
Hourly ranking from RSS / X / HN / accelerator feeds. Filters out operators, investors, academics, and famous CEOs. A Gemini judge with a tier-1 seed-VC persona (Sequoia / a16z / Conviction / ZhenFund) picks the top 50 by “who would I most want to meet THIS WEEK?”. Top 12 are must-meets; 13–50 are the watch list.
✅ Verified Contacts (2)
#1
Muriel MedardCryptoconf 1.00
2 signals
news mentionsocial
Optimum
Crypto
Why this week: Crypto
Muriel Medard is a co-founder of Optimum, a new Web3 data infrastructure company. An elite MIT researcher, she is part of the team redefining how data moves in Web3.
Recent updates
No significant activity in the last 5 days.
#2
Martin Stadlerconf 1.00
Qendra
Why this week: Verified contact
Martin Stadler is the CEO and founder of Zurich-based Qendra, a company focused on scaling quantum computing systems. Qendra recently secured €162,000 in funding from Venture Kick to advance its development.
Recent updates
No significant activity in the last 5 days.
🔥 Top Potential Founders
#1
Lev NaimanAIstealthconf 0.95
Ex-ZVR Technologies, Ex-Meta · AI
Why this week: Ex-Meta ML Engineer and previous founder building a new venture in stealth mode from Canada, strong AI background.
Lev Naiman is currently building a new venture in stealth mode from Canada. He brings a strong technical background, having previously founded ZVR Technologies and served as an ML Engineer at Meta.
Recent updates
Lev Naiman, an ex-founder of ZVR Technologies and former ML Engineer at Meta, is now building a new venture in stealth mode from Canada. This signals a strong potential for a new AI-focused tech startup.
Sources:X/Twitter
#2
Benjamin EisnerAIstealthconf 0.98
Ex-Tesla, Ex-DeepMind, Ex-Google · AI
Why this week: ML/Robotics expert from Tesla (Optimus), DeepMind, Google, building a new venture in stealth mode in Brooklyn, NY.
Benjamin Eisner is an accomplished ML/Robotics expert with a strong background from Tesla (Optimus), DeepMind, Google, and Samsung AI Center. He is currently building a new venture in stealth mode, leveraging his extensive experience in artificial intelligence and robotics.
Recent updates
Benjamin Eisner, an accomplished ML/Robotics expert from Tesla (Optimus), DeepMind, Google, and Samsung AI Center, is now building a new venture in stealth mode. Based in Brooklyn, New York, this signals a high-potential founder entering the startup ecosystem.
Sources:X/Twitter
#3
Sasha MalyshevaAIstealthconf 0.98
Ex-DeepMind, Ex-Google AI, Ex-X · AI
Why this week: Ex-DeepMind and Google AI Research Scientist building a new company in stealth mode in San Francisco.
Sasha Malysheva is currently building a new company in stealth mode in San Francisco. She brings a strong background as an ex-Research Scientist at DeepMind and a Researcher at Google AI & X.
Recent updates
No significant activity in the last 5 days.
#4
Krishna GantiAIstealthconf 0.95
Ex-GalaMela, Ex-WhipUp AI, Ex-LinkedIn · AI
Why this week: Serial founder (GalaMela, WhipUp AI) and ex-LinkedIn Senior Engineering Manager building in stealth mode.
Krishna Ganti is an experienced serial founder currently operating in stealth mode, having previously founded GalaMela and WhipUp AI. He also brings a strong engineering background, having served as a Senior Engineering Manager at LinkedIn and Nutanix, and was part of the early team at 'The'.
Recent updates
Krishna Ganti, an experienced serial founder and former Senior Engineering Manager at LinkedIn and Nutanix, is now building a new venture in stealth mode. His previous founding experience includes GalaMela and WhipUp AI.
Sources:X/Twitter
#5
Zaiyuan WangAIstealthconf 0.90
Ex-Doubao Team, Ex-ByteDance, Ex-Credit Suisse · AI
Why this week: Ex-ByteDance Doubao LLM team member building a new venture in stealth mode, strong AI background.
Zaiyuan Wang is currently building a new venture in stealth mode. Their background includes experience with ByteDance's Doubao LLM team, where they focused on evaluations, and prior roles at Credit Suisse.
#6
Hans-Christoph EcksteinAIstealthconf 0.95
Stealth Mode
Ex-Lucid Motors, Ex-Fraunhofer · AI
Why this week: Ex-Sr Director of Vision Systems at Lucid Motors building a new technology startup in stealth mode in SF Bay Area.
Hans-Christoph Eckstein is currently building a new technology startup in stealth mode. He previously served as Sr Director of Vision Systems at Lucid Motors, where he led key developments. His extensive background also includes experience from Fraunhofer.
Recent updates
Hans-Christoph Eckstein, former Sr Director of Vision Systems at Lucid Motors and ex-Fraunhofer, is now building a new technology startup in stealth mode in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Sources:X/Twitter
#7
Anton ViceAIstealthconf 0.95
Ex-Grably, Ex-NBCUniversal · AI
Why this week: Ex-CTO & Co-Founder at Grably and AI Engineer at NBCUniversal building a new venture in stealth mode from San Francisco.
Anton Vice is currently operating in stealth mode, focusing on building a new venture. He brings a strong technical background, having previously served as CTO & Co-Founder at Grably. Additionally, Vice has experience as an AI Engineer at NBCUniversal.
Recent updates
Anton Vice, former CTO & Co-Founder at Grably and AI Engineer at NBCUniversal, is now building a new venture in stealth mode from San Francisco, California.
Sources:X/Twitter
#8
Mike NemkeAIstealthconf 0.95
Stealth Mode
Ex-Function Health, Ex-Aptive · AI
Why this week: Ex-Co-Founder & CTO of Function Health and Director of AI/ML at Aptive building in stealth mode in Austin, Texas.
Mike Nemke is currently building a new venture in stealth mode, based in Austin. He brings a strong background in health tech and AI, having previously served as Co-Founder & CTO at Function Health and as Director of AI/ML at Aptive.
Recent updates
Mike Nemke, former Co-Founder & CTO of Function Health and ex-Director of AI/ML at Aptive, is now building a new venture in stealth mode in the Austin, Texas area.
Sources:X/Twitter
#9
Shivam PandeyAIstealthconf 0.95
Ex-Raylu, Ex-Eden Labs · AI
Why this week: Ex-Founding AI Engineer at Raylu and Founding Engineer at Eden Labs building a new venture in stealth mode from New York.
Shivam Pandey is currently building a new venture in stealth mode from New York. He brings a strong background as an ex-Founding AI Engineer at Raylu and an ex-Founding Engineer at Eden Labs.
Recent updates
Shivam Pandey, an ex-Founding AI Engineer at Raylu and ex-Founding Engineer at Eden Labs, is now building a new venture in stealth mode from New York. This signals a new potential AI startup from an experienced founder.
Sources:X/Twitter
#10
Philipp GotzFinTechstealthconf 0.90
Ex-Pecora Capital, Ex-XTP, Ex-PwC · FinTech
Why this week: Ex-Hedge Fund Associate and Quantitative Trading Analyst building a new venture in stealth mode in SF Bay Area.
Philipp Gotz is a founder currently building a new venture in stealth mode in the San Francisco Bay Area. He brings a strong background from his previous roles as an ex-Hedge Fund Associate at Pecora Capital and an ex-Quantitative Trading Analyst.
Recent updates
Philipp Gotz, an ex-Hedge Fund Associate and Quantitative Trading Analyst, is now building a new venture in stealth mode in the San Francisco Bay Area. His strong background in finance and quantitative analysis suggests a high-potential FinTech or AI startup.
Sources:X/Twitter
#11
Louis Barinagastealthconf 0.90
Stealth Mode
Ex-Meta, Ex-Valve, Ex-Microsoft
Why this week: Ex-Senior Director Hardware Engineering at Meta and Hardware Leader at Valve building a new venture in stealth mode from Redmond, WA.
Louis Barinaga is currently building a new venture in stealth mode as a founder. He brings extensive experience in hardware engineering leadership from his previous roles. His background includes serving as a Senior Director of Hardware Engineering at Meta and a Hardware Leader at Valve and Microsoft Xbox.
Recent updates
Louis Barinaga, an ex-Senior Director Hardware Engineering at Meta and former Hardware Leader at Valve and Microsoft Xbox, is now building a new venture in stealth mode from Redmond, Washington.
Sources:X/Twitter
#12
Alireza SafdariAIstealthconf 0.90
Ex-Tesla, Ex-Meta · AI
Why this week: Ex-Senior Robotics Software Engineer for Tesla Optimus and Firmware Engineer at Meta building a new venture in stealth mode.
Alireza Safdari is currently building a new venture in stealth mode. He brings a strong technical background, having previously served as a Senior Robotics Software Engineer for Tesla Optimus. His experience also includes working as a Firmware Engineer at Meta.
Recent updates
No significant activity in the last 5 days.
👀 Watch list
#13
Andres Aiellostealthunknown
Ex-Head of Smart Contracts at ZetaChain and Sr Fullstack Engineer at Paxos building a new venture in stealth mode.
#14
Bin Nistealthunknown
Ex-Google DeepMind Senior Director of Research (GenAI) and ex-Head of AI at X building a new venture in stealth mode.
#15
Maria Carolina Santos· Stealth Modestealthunknown
Ex-CPO/Marketing at ConectCar, Director at Mercado Libre, and strategy lead at Santander building a new venture in stealth mode.
#16
Yaniv SarigstealthUS
Ex-CEO and Co-founder at Aterian and ex-Engineer at Bloomberg launching a new venture in stealth mode from New York.
#17
Bennett Hensey· Longwaveseedunknown
Founder of Longwave, an AI-focused startup providing AI visibility, control, and governance as a service, just out of stealth.
#18
Yash Gandhi· OrcaSheets AI Reportspre-seedunknown
Founder of OrcaSheets AI Reports, an AI-powered product for generating reports, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#19
Rodrick Gary· SeatSweeppre-seedunknown
Founder of SeatSweep, an autonomous AI agent for workflow automation, recently launched, targeting Shopify ecosystem.
#20
Chris Cardoza· Doza Assistpre-seedunknown
Founder of Doza Assist, an early-stage technology solution, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#21
Anatole Gaigneux· Hello NabuseedOther
Founder of Hello Nabu, a new French company just out of stealth, specializing in personalized language programs.
#22
Nick Walker· MochaCareseedUS
Founder of MochaCare, providing AI-powered virtual assistants for care agencies in the US, just out of stealth.
#23
Konstantine Gugunava· SpendexAIseedunknown
Founder of SpendexAI, an intelligent LLM router for optimizing API costs, debuted from stealth mode.
#24
Srivatsa Mudumby· Replylesspre-seedunknown
Founder of Replyless, a new email productivity tool, launched on Product Hunt as a Superhuman alternative.
#25
Guillaume Noziere· Vor Systemsseedunknown
Founder of Vor Systems, an AI-enabled transaction platform for energy assets, debuted after operating in stealth.
#26
Umer Kazi· Workbenchseedunknown
Founder of Workbench, deploying autonomous AI crew members for construction project monitoring, emerged from stealth.
#27
Elena Goldgerg· Venture Factory AIpre-seedunknown
Founder of Venture Factory AI, an early-stage AI tech startup, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#28
Manya Ghobadi· Utilyzepre-seedunknown
Founder and builder of Utilyze, an open-source GPU monitoring tool, showcasing strong technical depth.
#29
Ahmad Roumie· Sellaraseedunknown
Founder of Sellara, a new FinTech startup focused on workflow automation for financial institutions, out of stealth.
#30
Ashish Sharda· Kōanpre-seedunknown
Founder of Kōan, an early-stage technology startup, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#31
Alexander Lorimer· Motipre-seedunknown
Likely founder of Moti, an early-stage technology venture, launched 'Moti, The Challenge App' on Product Hunt.
#32
Ethan Hu· SonicMeetpre-seedunknown
Founder of SonicMeet, an early-stage technology startup, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#33
Devin Daymore· Waitlisterpre-seedunknown
Founder of Waitlister, a new tech startup, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#34
K.M Fazle Rabbi· Git Pitcherpre-seedunknown
Product Creator/Poster behind Git Pitcher, an early-stage technology startup, launched on Product Hunt.
#35
Luis Mesa· Curflowpre-seedunknown
Founder of Curflow, an early-stage technology startup, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#36
Roman Tsymbryla· Colirpre-seedunknown
Founder of Colir, an early-stage technology venture, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#37
Krzysztof Magiera· SimCampre-seedunknown
Founder of SimCam, an early-stage technology company, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#38
Brett Shinnebarger· SNEWPaperspre-seedunknown
Founder of SNEWPapers, a new venture recently launched on Product Hunt.
#39
Owais Aslam· Vouch APIpre-seedunknown
Founder of Vouch API, a new technology company, recently launched on Product Hunt, indicating pre-seed stage.
#40
Fadi Zaki· Brew Finderpre-seedunknown
Founder of Brew Finder, an early-stage venture focused on local discovery, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#41
Gustav Hugpd· Atechpre-seedunknown
Founder of Atech, an early-stage technology startup, recently launched on Product Hunt.
#42
Robhy Bustami· BioticsAIseedunknown
CEO of BioticsAI, successfully navigated FDA approval and fundraising in MedTech, indicating early-stage momentum.
#43
Isabella Liu· ConnitoAIseedunknown
Founding engineer at ConnitoAI, a new decentralized AI model training project, gaining traction in dTAO space.
#44
Piyush MakhijastealthOther
Experienced AI/ML leader and serial entrepreneur building a new technology venture in stealth mode from India.
#46
Jonathan Victor· Ansa Researchseedunknown
Co-founder at Ansa Research and joined BitRobotNetwork, ex-Filecoin ecosystem lead, focusing on blockchain challenges.
#47
马如平· LeapMind GrowthseedChina
Founder and CEO of LeapMind Growth, an AI-native growth agent startup, recently secured Angel+ funding.
#48
赵铭· 智用开物seedChina
COO of 智用开物, an industrial AI startup founded Jan 2024, secured nearly 100M RMB Angel round.
#49
许华哲· 破壳机器人seedChina
Founder of Pòké Jīqìrén (Shell-Breaking Robot), a new embodied AI company, ex-unicorn chief scientist.
#50
张文广· 星迹互动seedChina
Founder of Xingji Hudong, an AI-driven entertainment tech company, recently secured multi-million RMB angel round.