Serge Faguet

No cap, here’s what’s up with Serge Faguet, dude’s the real deal in the startup world. Born in Russia on July 4, 1985, Serge’s been crushing it since he was a kid. He’s got that hacker spirit, dropped out of Stanford GSB at 21, just to jump into the game. Before that, he hit up Cornell for his BA, so he’s got the brains, no doubt.

His story kicks off at Google in California, just a tech nerd at first, but you can tell he’s got that entrepreneurial fire burning. By 22, he’s not just dreaming, he’s building. He starts TokBox, a video communications platform that lets developers easily embed live video into apps. Think FaceTime, but for everyone. And get this, he raised big money from Sequoia and some of the biggest names in tech. That’s no small feat for a 22-year-old. Later, Telefónica swooped in and bought TokBox, so he crushed that exit.

But Serge’s not one to rest on his laurels. In 2010, he launches Ostrovok.ru, Russia’s answer to Expedia. He’s CEO for over six years, building a major player in the travel space. Even after stepping back, he kept a big stake and sat on the board, shows he’s in it for the long game, not just quick wins.

Then, he jumps into something totally different, Mirror AI. It’s a consumer app that uses computer vision to make personalized emojis. Think of it as combining his tech smarts with a dash of fun and personality. He raised millions from top-tier investors like Y Combinator, Greylock, and even Peter Thiel’s fund. The guy’s got connections, but more than that, he’s got the vision to build stuff people actually want.

What’s wild is how diverse his portfolio is, from video tech at TokBox, to online travel with Ostrovok, to cool consumer apps with Mirror AI. It’s like he’s always chasing the future trend, but with purpose. He’s a transhumanist, all about pushing the boundaries of tech and human possible. Beyond startups, he’s involved with Multiomic Health and New Travel, so he’s always looking for the next frontier.

He’s raised over $30 million across all his ventures, but more than the cash, it’s how he builds teams, launches significant products, and keeps pushing boundaries that’s truly impressive. Serge’s process proves he’s fueled by a real desire to create and transform how we live, travel, communicate, and connect. Making money is cool, but having an effect? That’s the real deal.

So yeah, Serge Faguet is one of those guys who saw the future early, jumped in, took risks, and kept crushing it. He’s proof that with the right mix of brains, guts, and vision, you can build some of the coolest stuff out there. No Cap.