John Friel

Ight, so here’s the deal with John Friel, this guy’s the real deal in the startup world. He’s a YC W20 alum, so he’s been around the block and knows what’s up. Started out messing around with online platforms, especially in art and events space, which is kinda his jam. He’s all about building stuff that connects people, whether it’s through art or virtual hangouts.

His biggest move? He co-founded Mini Exhibitions, a super slick company in NYC that makes virtual events for remote teams. Think about it, during the pandemic, everyone was craving social bubbles, and John jumped into creating a platform that makes team bonding and art experiences happen online. No bullshit, just pure value, virtual exhibitions that feel real, fun, and interactive. That’s some advanced thinking.

But it’s more than just Mini Exhibitions. He’s into projects like Art in Res with John Sillings, showing he’s all about blending arts and community. The dude’s been crushing it by building marketplaces and platforms that bring people together, whether for fun or work. That’s what drives him: creating online experiences that feel real and get people hooked.

What really gets me about John? His process screams passion for connecting people in new ways. He’s not just in it for the tech fame, he genuinely wants to change how we interact, especially for remote teams. His background in art and events shows he’s got a creative streak, but he’s also got the hustle and tech smarts to make it happen at scale.

Bottom line? John Friel is one of those founders who saw a gap, jumped in, and crushed it. He’s not afraid to jump into new space, whether it’s art, virtual events, or community-building, and he’s doing it with a clear vision. If you ask me, he’s someone to watch. This guy’s got the passion, the experience, and the hustle to keep pushing boundaries and making cool shit happen.