Courtney Sabo

Allow me to introduce you to the phenomenon that is Courtney Sabo, this guy is the real deal in the startup and design world. He’s a YC W19 founder, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and an absolute digital design beast with over 12 years crushing it in product, UX, and UI for everything from websites to mobile apps. No cap.

His process? Super inspiring. Started out doing freelance gigs and working at Weis Markets, but it was clear early on he had that fire for digital stuff. Then he jumped into Drexel University, studying graphic design, but not just chilling in class. He was also the captain of their Division I squash team, so you already know he’s got that competitive edge and hustle mentality.

Fast forward, Courtney’s been around the block. He’s held top design roles at Untapped, which got acquired by Podium Education, and worked with agencies like Sequence (which was bought by Salesforce) and Happy Cog. He’s been in the trenches with clients like Apple, Delta Dental, and TEDx. Basically, he’s seen what works, what doesn’t, and how to make digital products that actually crush it.

But what really sets him apart? His move into startups. He co-founded Kopa, a killer real estate tech platform that got into YC and raised over a million bucks in VC. That’s no joke, it’s solid proof he knows how to build something from scratch and get investors hyped. And he’s not just about startups. Now he’s a partner at Pine Works, diving deep into product strategy and design, helping other startups explode.

And get this, he’s a total nomad. He’s lived in 18 countries, soaking up culture and ideas that fuel his creativity. Now he’s based in Seattle, but his global experience gives him a wicked perspective on how to build products that work worldwide.

Bottom line? Courtney’s story is about a guy who’s always been obsessed with creating stuff that matters, whether it’s designing for Apple or building a VC-backed startup. His whole vibe is about hustle, continuous learning, and pushing boundaries. That’s why he’s so important, he’s not just in the game; he’s shaping it.