Robin Jayaswal

Mad respect for Robin Jayaswal. This guy’s the real deal in the startup world. He’s a YC alum from the S18 batch, which already means he crushed it early on. Dude’s based in Portland now, but his story starts way back at Dartmouth, where he was all in with that college vibe and the DALI Lab – that’s where College Pulse was born. Basically, he jumped into building something that actually mattered – a data and survey platform focused on college students, giving schools and brands real insights.

He co-founded College Pulse in 2016, right outta college, and by YC Summer 2018, they were already making waves. After YC, they raised over a million bucks – $1.35M – no joke. That’s a clear sign he knows how to build, pitch, and get funded by the right people. He’s not just about startups; he’s deep into investing, helping other early-stage companies crush it. The guy’s got hustle and an eye for what’s next.

Looking at his background, you see a guy who’s been around some heavy hitters – Stripe, Palantir, Smartcar, Meriwether Group – though I couldn’t find direct links, the vibe is he’s got serious experience with big tech and startups. That mix of working in top-tier companies and then jumping into his own thing? That’s what fuels his fire. He’s all about building shit that actually moves the needle, and he’s doing it because he genuinely cares about understanding people and how they think – that’s why College Pulse works.

What’s wild is his process screams passion for solving real problems, not just chasing fame or money. Starting College Pulse from scratch at Dartmouth and then scaling it through YC? That’s no cap – it’s proof he’s got grit, vision, and the drive to turn ideas into reality. Plus, he’s now investing and helping others do the same, which shows he’s all about community and lifting others up.

So yeah, Robin Jayaswal is one of those guys who’s built from the ground up, crushed it at every stage, and keeps pushing forward. He’s the guy you want in your corner if you’re serious about startups, tech, or just having an effect. That’s why he’s important.