Joey Grassia

Ight, so here’s the deal with Joey Grassia, this guy is the real deal when it comes to startups and making things happen. So, Joey’s a serial entrepreneur, like, the kinda guy who jumps into stuff, crushes it, then moves on to the future trend. He’s from the YC W19 batch, which already says a lot. That’s where the best of the best hang out, and he’s made some serious waves there.

His story is pretty wild. He’s been all over the place, Facebook in the tech world, then jumping into food with his own companies. First, he founded Steamm, this bottled espresso thing. Yeah, coffee on the go, super quick. Then, he started KUTOA Health Co., making health bars that aim for more than just profit, he’s big on social impact, trying to make a difference while building something solid. Both of those he sold in 2017, so he’s not just playing around; he’s out here building and exiting, learning the game.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Joey didn’t stop there. He co-founded Shef, a marketplace for homemade food, with Alvin Salehi. They met on a Forbes 30 Under 30 social impact program, talk about serendipity. Shef is not just another food app; it’s about empowering immigrant chefs, giving them economic opportunities, and creating a community. They raised over $100 million from top-tier investors like Andreessen Horowitz and YC itself, showing how much faith the big money has in this guy and his vision.

What’s cool about Joey is that his hustle is rooted in social impact. He’s all about using business as a force for good, partnering with the World Food Program, helping immigrant chefs thrive, and shaking up industries from food to social media (he’s also linked to Dapper Goat, but that’s more low-key). His process screams that he’s motivated by more than just making bank; he genuinely wants to change lives and create opportunities where they’re needed most.

If you look at his path, tech at Facebook, then jumping into startups, selling them, then building Shef, you see a guy who’s not afraid to take risks, learn fast, and turn ideas into real stuff that matters. He’s the embodiment of what it means to start something not just to make money but to make an impact. And that’s what makes him so important. He’s proof that you can be a tech guy and a social impact guy at the same time, and when you combine those two? Holy shit, that’s strong.

So yeah, Joey Grassia, think of him as a guy who’s crushing it in the startup world, doing it with purpose, and showing that the best way to build something big is to keep your eyes on the bigger picture. No Cap.