Martha Hipley

Time to appreciate Martha Hipley, this girl’s a straight-up legend in the startup game. She’s part of the YC W19 batch, which is already a big deal, but what really sets her apart is her crazy diverse background and the fact that she’s just not afraid to jump into anything that sparks her interest.

So, Martha’s been around the block with a bunch of companies, Powrplnt, Withfriends, Glixle, and she’s even done gigs at big names like Sony Music, MLB Advanced Media, and Aimée Wilder. Basically, she’s been deep in the trenches of product design, UX, data, branding, you name it. That’s the kind of hustle most people only dream of, and she’s crushing it.

But what’s wild is her process isn’t just about tech, she’s also an artist and a true technologist. She works under the alias everyoneisugly and has even gotten recognized with a Rhizome microgrant for her digital art and installations. That’s some advanced creativity right there, blending art and tech like a boss. She’s studied at Pratt, SVA, and Notre Dame, so she’s got that solid educational foundation but clearly prefers to learn by doing, by jumping into the deep end.

Her current gig is with Withfriends, which she’s a co-founder and CXO of. They’re all about community involvement platforms, basically trying to bring people together online in a real way. That’s super relevant right now, especially when everyone’s craving authentic connection. You can see her motivation, she’s all about building stuff that actually matters, that helps people, and that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.

And get this, she’s more than just a startup founder. She’s into storytelling, writing fiction, making films, and showing her visual art. She’s living proof that being a creator isn’t just about making money, it’s about pushing boundaries, expressing yourself, and shaping culture.

What does all this say about her? Honestly, she’s driven by curiosity, a love for innovation, and a desire to make an impact. She’s the kind of person who sees opportunities everywhere, whether it’s redesigning Pusheen.com or experimenting with digital art. She’s constantly learning, changing, and not settling for bullshit answers.

In short, Martha Hipley is the real deal, a tech artist, a startup founder, a creative mind with a big heart, and a builder who’s always pushing the envelope. She’s proof that you don’t have to fit into one box, you can be a designer, a coder, an artist, and a leader all at once. And honestly, that’s what makes her so important in this space.