Rowan Mockler

Look, here’s the real scoop on Rowan Mockler. This guy is the real deal. He’s a YC S22 alum, but his story? It’s way more than just startups. It’s about someone who’s been crushing it across different worlds and somehow pulled it all together.

So, he’s from South Africa, right? But dude’s also a total tech nerd – got both bachelor’s and master’s in CS from Stanford. That’s no joke. I mean, Stanford’s like the playground for the future, and he’s been all over it. Before jumping into the startup scene, he was on the product team at Duolingo – yeah, the language app that’s basically everywhere. That’s where he cut his teeth, working on a platform that’s changing how people learn languages. Think about that – he’s been in the game of making tech that actually helps people, not just some bullshit app.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Rowan’s not just a coder – he’s a world champion public speaker. No Cap. That’s rare, right? It shows he’s got some serious communication skills, can pitch like a pro, and knows how to connect with people. That combo of brains and charisma? That’s what makes him stand out.

Then, he and his buddy Christopher Howard, who he met at Stanford, they’ve been working on cool projects together – like SoundNuggets. They’re both super passionate about tech and innovation. But Rowan’s always been about pushing boundaries. When he co-founded Ekho Dealer in 2022, that was like the next level. Ekho is based in NY and is all about reinventing how cars are sold online. Imagine that – a guy who’s been in language learning and public speaking now revolutionizing vehicle sales? That’s like… advanced hustle.

Ekho’s raised $17.5M from some heavy hitters – Y Combinator, Tesla alumni fund, Activant Capital, the whole squad. And they’re already working with over 20 top vehicle brands. That’s not just some small thing; that’s a legit game changer in the auto world.

What does all this tell you about Rowan? He’s driven by a pure passion for tech and innovation, but also by a desire to solve real problems and make an impact. His process? It’s about jumping into different worlds, learning fast, and then using that to build something that’s truly original. He’s not afraid to jump into the deep end, whether it’s language learning, public speaking, or reinventing car sales.

Bottom line? Rowan Mockler is the kind of founder who’s not just riding the wave – he’s making the wave. Someone who combines smarts, charisma, and relentless hustle to shake up industries. No Cap, he’s someone to keep an eye on.