Phil Salesses

Major props to Phil Salesses. This guy’s the real deal, a legit startup ninja who’s crushed it across tech, design, and even the military. No cap.

So, Phil’s a YC alum from the S16 batch, which already puts him in that super elite club of founders who really know their shit. But what’s crazy is his process. Started out with a B.S. in Geographic Science from James Madison University, yeah, he’s got that nerdy geospatial background. Then he jumped into all kinds of wild shit: worked at the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Geospatial Research Lab, which shows he’s got a serious thing for maps, data, and problem-solving on a big scale.

But he didn’t stop there. He’s been all over the place, lived in different countries, even North Korea, which is no small feat. That kind of experience? It’s what makes him see the world differently, and that’s big when you’re trying to build something new.

Fast forward, he gets into the tech scene, working at Apple in SMB sales, talk about big league. Then he jumps into the startup world, cofounding Waylens, which actually set a Kickstarter record. That’s no joke. Then moves into product management at Monarch Money, where he learned how to build stuff people actually want, and cofounding HiOperator, a customer support-as-a-service biz that he did with YC. That one’s a big deal, shows he’s got that hustle and can scale operations.

Now, he’s the CEO of Move AI, which is all about using AI to make moving easier. Think about it, an AI-powered moving assistant? That’s next level. It’s like he’s taking all his background, tech, design, problem-solving, and pushing it into something super useful. He’s not just throwing shit at the wall; he’s building real solutions.

What’s dope is he’s also a design technologist, worked with frog design, one of the coolest in the game, and he’s got a hand in hardware too, with companies like Waylens. Plus, he’s been featured in outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Fast Company. That’s proof he’s not just talking; he’s out here making waves.

Beyond all that, he’s active in the MIT Club of Shanghai and clearly loves connecting with communities. Dude’s got that entrepreneurial spirit, always jumping into new problems, not afraid to get his hands dirty, and constantly learning. That’s what makes him stand out. He’s the kind of guy who’s not just building for today but thinking about shaping the future.

So yeah, Phil Salesses? He’s that mix of tech geek, designer, military vet, and startup hustler who’s not afraid to go deep, take risks, and build shit that actually matters. That’s why he’s so important. He’s proof that with enough drive and curiosity, you can do anything.