Derek Herrera

Derek Herrera

Y Combinator Logo Batch: W16

Achievements

  • Former Marine Raider paralyzed in combat, now a tech innovator
  • Founded UroDev Medical, developing smart, semi-permanent neurogenic bladder tech
  • Won UCLA Knapp Business Plan & Engineering Venture Competitions in 2015
  • Serves on boards for Marine Raider Foundation, MVPvets, Raider Challenge, American Technion Society
  • Worked with Neural Analytics and ReWalk Robotics to advance neurotech and mobility solutions
  • Decorated Marine: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, other medals

All about Derek Herrera

Yo, let me tell you about Derek Herrera. This guy’s the real deal, straight-up warrior turned tech innovator. Dude’s a former Marine Corps Captain, served as a Marine Raider, and was out there in Afghanistan in 2012 leading a team when shit went sideways, got paralyzed in combat, no bullshit. That kind of thing changes you forever, but Derek didn’t just sit around feeling sorry for himself. Nah, he flipped the script.

Before that, he was deep in the trenches with the Marines, doing deployments in Iraq and other hotspots, earning some serious medals, Bronze Star with a combat device, Purple Heart, all that. This guy’s seen the worst and still came out swinging. After his injury, instead of fading away, he jumped into advocacy for vets and the paralysis community, fighting for better support and innovation in medical tech.

And get this, he’s not just talking. He’s out here building solutions. He founded UroDev Medical, formerly Spinal Singularity, which is all about that connected catheter tech, smart, semi-permanent systems for folks with neurogenic bladder issues. Basically, he’s making life easier for people like him. That’s some advanced impact right there.

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Derek’s also a straight-up winner in business competitions, crushed it at UCLA with their medical device ideas, taking home the Knapp Business Plan and Engineering Venture wins. That shows he’s got the brains and hustle to turn ideas into reality.

He’s also plugged into the community big time, boards for the Marine Raider Foundation, MVPvets, the Raider Challenge, the American Technion Society. He’s been involved with cool neurotech companies like Neural Analytics and ReWalk Robotics, helping push mobility and brain tech forward.

So, what’s the vibe here? This guy’s story is all about resilience, drive, and turning pain into purpose. His military background gives him that grit, but his move into startups and innovation shows he’s got a vision to change the game, not just for himself but for all the vets and folks battling disabilities. He’s proof that even when life hits hard, you can come back stronger, build something meaningful, and inspire everyone around you.

Derek Herrera isn’t just a hero on the battlefield, he’s a hero in the startup scene, making real tech that changes lives. No cap.

Founder ID: 107095

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