Zach Waterfield

Can’t sleep on Zach Waterfield. This guy’s the real deal in the startup world, no cap. He’s been around the block, crushed it in multiple roles, and is all about building stuff that actually moves the needle.

So, Zach’s from Toronto, and he’s a tech nerd, got his degree in Computer Engineering from Waterloo, which is basically Canada’s startup factory. Dude’s been in the trenches since forever, jumping into startups, investing, and leading engineering teams. His process kicked off big time with YC W19, that’s the same batch as some of the hottest startups out there. That’s where he really started to make waves.

He’s worn a bunch of hats, co-founded Kopa, which was a Y Combinator-backed rental marketplace for extended stays. Think Airbnb but for longer-term rentals, and he took that thing to over 300 cities in the US before it went quiet. That shows he’s not scared to jump into new markets and build something big. Before that, he was at On Deck, where he managed engineering and led fundraising products, basically connecting top talent with killer opportunities. That’s a huge deal because it’s about building communities and platforms that matter.

But Zach isn’t just about building his own stuff. He’s also a serious investor and partner. He’s a Senior Venture Partner at Pioneer Fund and a Venture Partner at Ripple Ventures, both focus on backing the best YC startups and early-stage companies. He’s made over 50 investments himself, mostly in devtools, AI, and SaaS. The guy’s got a nose for what’s next, always hunting for the future trend.

He also co-founded Zettlor, which is all about smarter candidate sourcing, basically trying to shake up recruiting. And he’s active in the Toronto tech scene, organizing founder meetups, poker nights, you name it. That’s his way of giving back and staying plugged in.

What’s wild is his career shows a pattern: he’s obsessed with building, investing, and helping others do the same. Making money isn’t his main goal, he’s all about creating stuff that lasts and matters. That’s why he’s so important, he’s a connector, a builder, and a believer that startups can change everything.

Bottom line: Zach Waterfield is that guy you want in your corner if you’re trying to build something real. He’s been through the grind, knows what it takes, and keeps pushing forward. No bullshit, just pure hustle and smarts.