Ben Herila

Buckle up for the great process of Ben Herila, this guy’s the real deal in the startup game. So, he’s a YC W15 alum, which already says a lot. That’s the winter batch of 2015, basically, he jumped into the deep end early and crushed it. He co-founded Underground Cellar, a super cool wine e-commerce startup that gamified wine buying, yeah, making wine shopping fun and addictive. That project was a big hit and got into YC, so you know he’s got some serious hustle and tech chops.

Before all that, Ben kicked things off at Microsoft, working on graphics for Office and some Windows Server stuff. That’s where he cut his teeth in big tech, learning how to build expandable, solid software. Then he moved on to Airbnb as a tech lead, not just any role, but he helped expand Airbnb into 32 new countries, tackling internationalization and language support. So, this guy’s got global experience, knows how to scale products across borders, and isn’t scared of the complexities that come with doing that.

After his Airbnb stint, he didn’t just chill. Now he’s at Meta (yeah, Facebook’s parent), working on Horizon Worlds, which is all about virtual reality and the future of social tech. That’s a huge deal, jumping into the metaverse space, shows he’s always chasing the future trend. Plus, he’s a venture partner at Pioneer Fund, investing in early YC startups. So, he’s not just building, he’s also backing the next wave of founders, kinda like paying it forward.

Ben’s story isn’t just about tech. It’s about someone who’s constantly jumping into new problems, from building online solutions for companies like The Walsh Company, to tinkering with startups like Jobaphiles and PlayersTape, and even doing some freelance web stuff. He’s always been curious, always learning, always pushing boundaries.

And let’s not forget, he went to Brown University. That’s where he got his foundation, but what’s more impressive is how he’s used that knowledge to make real impact. Whether it’s revolutionizing wine shopping, scaling a global company, or shaping the future of social VR, Ben’s process screams one thing: he’s all about building cool shit, making it work at scale, and investing in what’s next.

Bottom line? Ben Herila is that rare blend of hardcore tech guy and startup hustler. He’s been through the trenches, from Microsoft to YC to Meta, always on the front edge of innovation. The dude’s got the experience, the vision, and the hustle to keep pushing boundaries. No cap, he’s the kind of person who’s shaping the future, one bold move at a time.