Ethan Chang

Yo, you gotta hear about Ethan Chang. This dude’s the real deal in the startup game. So, he’s a young gun, just jumped into YC’s W24 batch – that’s like the top tier for founders crushing it. But here’s the kicker – he’s not some random college kid chasing dreams; he left Stanford to chase something bigger.

Ethan co-founded Forge Rewards with his buddy Isaac Kan in 2023, and man, this thing is fire. It’s basically like a Starbucks app but for local restaurants. Think about it – it’s all about loyalty, repeat business, keeping those spots busy and thriving. Ethan’s got that deep-rooted passion, ’cause he’s been on the ground working at local restaurants, saw firsthand how tough it is to keep customers coming back, especially with those third-party delivery fees eating into margins. That experience? It’s what fueled Forge Rewards from day one.

They’re based in SF, and as of early 2024, they’re already partnering with over 15 restaurants in the Bay Area. That’s no small feat. They’re helping small local spots compete with the big chains, making loyalty simple and direct. Honestly, it’s like he’s trying to reinvent how restaurants talk to their customers, making it less bullshit and more real.

What’s crazy is how he jumped from working in restaurants to building this tech – shows he’s all about solving real problems, not just talking about ideas. He saw a problem, jumped into the startup world, and crushed it early on. That’s the kind of guy who’s not afraid to leave the comfort zone, take risks, and build something that actually matters.

Long story short? Ethan’s that guy who saw a problem, didn’t complain about it, and built a solution from scratch. It’s not just about tech or funding – it’s about making local food spots better, more loyal, more connected. No Cap, he’s the kind of founder who’s gonna keep pushing boundaries and changing how things work. That’s why he’s important.