James Chan

Respect the hustle of James Chan. This guy’s the real deal, straight up. He’s a YC W19 alum, which means he crushed it early and got in with that hot batch. But what’s crazy is his story before YC, this guy’s been around the block, man. He’s bounced through a ton of different gigs: from McKinsey and Goldman Sachs to RAND, all the way to legit food and restaurant stuff like Boudin, Flying Food Group, Straits, and Sino Restaurants. Dude’s got the business chops and the hustle DNA, no doubt.

But here’s where it gets interesting. James didn’t just stop at the corporate grind. Nah, he jumped into startups, co-founding companies like Positive, DOSA, and EAT Club. That’s a clear sign he’s all about building shit that matters, not just climbing the corporate ladder. He’s someone who’s seen the ins and outs of finance, consulting, and hospitality, then decided to flip the script and create his own thing. It’s like he’s got this itch to build, to innovate, to challenge the status quo.

What really jumps out is his curiosity and drive. He’s been featured in articles about Nova Credit’s YC process, which proves he’s not just about working, he’s about pushing boundaries, learning, and leveling up. He’s also been interviewed for stuff like “The original Sun Tzu’s Art of War resource,” showing he’s into strategy, thinking ahead, and understanding the game on a deeper level. Plus, he’s got ties to big names like Andreessen Horowitz, meaning he’s respected in the VC world, not just some random startup guy.

Looking at his process, I see someone who’s all about growth and impact. He’s been in the trenches, seen the big and small picture, and now he’s leveraging that experience to build smarter, better solutions. His move from finance and consulting into startups and then YC? That’s a guy who’s not afraid to jump into the fire, learn fast, and come out stronger.

Honestly, James is one of those founders who’s got the hustle, the brains, and the vision all in one. He’s built a career on doing the work, thinking strategically, and then jumping into new tech and business ventures. If you ask me, he’s the perfect example of someone who’s not just talking about changing the world but actually doing it. No Cap, this guy’s gonna be someone to watch.