Maurizio Caló Caligaris

Spotlight on the one and only Maurizio Caló Caligaris, this guy is the real deal, no cap. So he’s a YC alum from S18, which already tells you he’s got that startup hustle in his blood. But his story? It’s way more than just that. The dude’s a legit tech whiz, a total brainiac with a crazy background in AI and math.

Started out as a math prodigy, bronze medalist at the IMO, which is no joke. That’s like the Olympics of math, so you know he’s always been a numbers guy. He jumped into competitive programming too, so he’s used to solving complex problems fast. That’s a huge plus in the startup world.

Then he went to Stanford, studied AI for his undergrad and got a Master’s in CS there, so he’s deep in the tech scene. While at Stanford, he didn’t just chill, he got into the Stanford AI Lab under Prof. Andrew Ng, one of the legends in AI. That’s where he cut his teeth on deep learning research, early days, helping shape what AI is today. Plus, he was a TA and instructor, teaching over a thousand students. That shows he’s not just into tech but also loves sharing knowledge and building communities.

Before jumping into startups, he worked at Addepar, a fintech unicorn, early engineer, helped set up their NY office. That tells you he’s got startup DNA, knows how to build stuff from the ground up, and can scale fast. After that, he co-founded Calii, which is basically the Uber of groceries in Latin America, connecting local farmers directly to consumers for ultra-fresh food. That’s a massive impact move, helping local producers and changing how people shop for groceries. Calii crushed YC in S18, so he’s proven he can turn ideas into real businesses that matter.

What really drives Maurizio? It’s clear he’s all about solving big problems with tech, whether it’s AI, fintech, or food delivery. He’s not just in it for the tech itself; he wants to make a real impact, connect people, and improve lives. His experience at Stanford, in research, YC, and startups shows he’s hungry, smart, and totally committed to building stuff that actually sticks.

Plus, he’s got some volunteer hustle, on the Stanford Alumni Board and helping out with admissions. That shows he’s about giving back, staying connected, and lifting others up.

Bottom line? Maurizio’s this rare combo of deep technical genius, startup founder grit, and a heart that cares about community and impact. He’s the kind of person who’s not just chasing success but genuinely trying to change the game. That’s why he’s so important, he’s the real deal, a guy who’s been crushing it at every level and still keeps pushing forward.