Yan Lhert

Lowkey, you gotta hear about Yan Lhert – this guy is straight-up the real deal in the tech scene. So, he’s got this crazy background that’s all about jumping into different worlds, crushing it everywhere he goes. Started out as a software engineer, but not just any coder – he’s been deep in AI, web dev, product management. Dude’s got that startup hustle in his DNA.

He was one of the early engineers at Checkr, like #4, which is huge cuz Checkr’s a major player in background checks. That shows he’s got the chops from the ground up – not afraid to get his hands dirty at the earliest stages. Then he’s bounced around a bunch of cool companies: GOAT Group (you know, the sneaker app), Xfer Records (music production tools), Proton Radio, Shutterstock, Beatport, Kabam, Gravity – all heavy hitters in their spaces. Basically, he’s been everywhere, having an effect.

But what’s really sick is his move into entrepreneurship. He co-founded Zen99, a YC S14 startup, focused on making tax and insurance tools for independent contractors. That’s a huge problem to solve, especially for gig workers. He didn’t just jump in – he took the CTO role and built the product from scratch. That shows he’s got serious leadership and technical skills, but also the guts to tackle real-world problems.

And get this – he’s not just doing startups. Yan’s also been advising at Y Combinator’s Startup School. That’s like the top tier of startup mentorship, so people trust his judgment and know-how. Plus, he’s known for his expertise in Ruby on Rails and generative AI, which are super hot right now. This guy is constantly pushing the envelope.

Now he’s got his own thing: Oyi Labs, a stealth-mode AI company. He’s now co-founder and CTO, working on generative AI applications. That’s some advanced stuff. The fact that he’s leading innovation in AI shows he’s all about shaping the future, not just riding trends.

He’s based in LA, but honestly, his process screams someone who’s always been about the hustle and taking ownership. From early-stage startups to big tech and music, he’s built a reputation for hands-on leadership and deep technical mastery. The threads here? A passion for building, a mind wired for solving tough problems, and a relentless drive to push tech forward.

Long story short: Yan’s the guy who’s been there, done that, and now is powering the next wave of AI and startup magic. No bullshit, he’s the type of person who jumps in, learns fast, and builds shit that matters. That’s why he’s a force to watch – not just because of what he’s done, but because of what he’s gonna do next.