Ruby Yu

No cap, here’s what’s up with Ruby Yu – this girl is the real deal in the startup world, especially when it comes to saving our planet and redefining food. She’s part of YC’s S22 batch, which means she jumped into the startup game at a crazy high level. But what’s wild is her background – she’s got a PhD from Harvard in Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Yeah, Harvard. That’s no joke. She’s legit a brainiac who’s been deep in the science trenches for over a decade, studying gene expression from yeast all the way to humans. Basically, she’s an expert in high-throughput genetic screening and machine learning – the kind of stuff that sounds super complex but is all about crunching massive data to unlock big discoveries.

Now, her process? It’s all about using her science smarts to make a difference. She co-founded Terraferma Foods before, which shows she’s always had that entrepreneurial fire. But her current move – Ten Lives – is a total big change. She’s building a Y Combinator-backed startup that’s using AI and precision fermentation to decarbonize food proteins. Think about that – creating animal-free cat food that’s not just healthier but way better for the planet. Her mission? Make sustainable proteins cheap enough to compete with traditional animal farming, and cut down the environmental mess we’re leaving behind. That’s some serious passion for fixing the world.

What’s also cool is her vibe outside the lab – she’s into circus arts, climbing, and even cat-sitting. Sounds random but honestly, it shows she’s all about balance, pushing boundaries, and keeping things fun and real. She’s based in the US and joined YC in October 2024, which means she’s super fresh into the startup scene but already making waves.

So, what does all this say about her? Ruby’s not just a science geek; she’s a visionary who saw a huge problem – the environmental impact of animal protein – and decided to do something about it. Her background proves she’s got the brains, her startups show she’s got the guts, and her mission? That’s pure passion. She’s one of those founders who’s not just in it for the tech or the money – she genuinely wants to change the world. And honestly, that’s what makes her so important. She’s the kind of person who’s gonna push the boundaries of what’s possible and make a real impact, one sustainable protein at a time. No cap.