Michael Mayer

Bro, let me put you onto Michael Mayer, this guy’s the real deal in the startup world. He’s a Portland native, grew up there, and studied Economics, so he’s got that brain for numbers and markets. But what’s crazy is, he’s also a self-taught hacker. Like, dude jumped into tech and learned the ropes on his own. That kinda hustle? No cap, that’s what separates the kids who just talk about it and the ones who actually do it.

He’s been around some heavy hitters, Nike, Chefstable Group, Simple Finance, City of Portland, The Support Group. But the thing that really put him on the map is Bottomless. He co-founded this startup back in W19, got into Y Combinator, and that’s a big deal. YC only accepts the best, and these guys crushed it with Bottomless, which builds a sensor-enabled marketplace for repeat purchases. Basically, they’re trying to change how we shop by making it super easy and automated. That’s some advanced shit.

What’s dope is, Michael and his co-founder Liana Herrera had to grind through multiple YC applications before finally getting in. That’s some serious persistence, shows he’s all about that hustle and never giving up. YC’s a launchpad for the biggest tech companies out there, so it’s clear he’s got that ambition and the guts to jump into the deep end.

And beyond all that, his wiring? It’s like he’s always been obsessed with building stuff that actually moves the needle. He doesn’t just talk about ideas, he makes shit happen. From Portland to Silicon Valley, this guy’s process screams motivation. Started out with a solid econ background, learned hacking on his own, jumped into startups, got into YC, and now he’s pushing the envelope with Bottomless.

Honestly, what I see in him is someone who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, who’s got that entrepreneurial fire, and who’s all about creating real change. He’s proof that if you’re hungry enough, you can learn anything, grind through rejection, and come out the other side crushing it. That’s why he’s so important, he’s the kind of founder who reminds us that no matter where you start, with enough grit, you can build something that actually matters.