Batch: Achievements
- Co-founded and launched CAPSULE in 2022, a social media shopping app using AI tech
- Joined Y Combinator's S22 batch, gaining top-tier startup validation
- Developed a machine learning-powered app that finds shoppable links from social media screenshots
- Bridging fashion expertise with tech innovation to disrupt online shopping experience
- Active advocate for #fashiontech and #femalefounded startups, promoting female entrepreneurs
- Led a startup from concept to market within a year, demonstrating rapid execution and growth
About Michele Van Ruiten
Yo, so let me tell you about Michele Van Ruiten – this chick is the real deal in the fashion tech world. She’s the co-founder and CEO of CAPSULE, a startup that’s totally disrupting how we shop on social media. She jumped into the scene in 2022, part of YC’s S22 batch, which is like the startup Olympics-only the best get in.
Before all this, Michele kinda nerded out in fashion, studying at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. But here’s where it gets interesting-she didn’t just stay in the fashion bubble. She saw the bullshit in how people buy stuff online, especially from social feeds, and decided to do something about it. So she co-founded CAPSULE with Kelsey Pedersen, and bam, they built this crazy app that lets you snap a screenshot of anything you see on social media, and their machine learning tech will find you a shoppable link. No cap, it’s like magic for shoppers – super smooth.
What drives Michele? It’s pretty obvious – she’s all about merging her fashion background with tech, making shopping smarter and easier. She’s super active in the #fashiontech scene and always posting about female founders, proving she’s not just about building cool shit but also about lifting others up. She’s also a mom and describes herself as a believer and wife – so she’s got this whole layered identity that’s about passion, family, and hustle.
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Talk to herLooking at her process, it’s clear she’s not afraid to jump into the deep end. From fashion school to tech startup founder, she’s always pushing boundaries. Her experience screams motivation – she saw a problem, and she jumped into solving it, no bullshit. That’s what’s so inspiring. She’s proof that if you combine your passion with tech, you can actually change the game.
Basically, Michele is a force. She’s blending her fashion roots with modern AI to shake up how we shop online. She’s got that startup grit, a killer vision, and she’s not stopping anytime soon. That’s why she’s so important – she’s showing what’s possible when you go all-in on your passions and aren’t afraid to break the rules.
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