Founder Fridays: Meet the founders enabling Wing-Girls, DNA Whisperers, and Robotic Besties

Welcome to Founder Fridays

Strap in, folks. This week, we’re peeling back the curtain on three game-changing startups—and the brilliant minds behind them. Forget boring LinkedIn bios (even though we’ll link to them); we’re diving into the grit, the glory, and why these founders deserve your full attention. Investors, take note: These aren’t just startups—they could be your next lucrative investment.

Let’s meet the crew…

Company: Ari — “Your AI Wing Girl”

Scott Valdez

• Title: Founder & CEO
• LinkedIn Profile: Scott Valdez
• Scott Valdez is a serial entrepreneur with a knack for knowing what people want before they even realize it themselves. Before founding Ari, Scott built VIDA Select into a leading matchmaking service that combined personal expertise with innovative technology (15+ years real-life experience - WOW!). Under his leadership, VIDA Select scaled globally, helping thousands achieve meaningful connections through a data-driven yet personalized approach. This experience gave Scott a deep understanding of both the emotional and technical facets of human interaction, making him uniquely qualified to lead Ari in redefining how we connect in a digital-first world.

Alex Freund

• Title: Co-Founder & President
• LinkedIn Profile: Alex Freund
• Alex Freund has been in the trenches of tech and strategy longer than most startups have been alive. With a razor-sharp focus on bridging human connections through technology, Alex brings a unique blend of analytical prowess and a knack for emotional intelligence. Translation? He’s the guy who makes sure your AI wing girl doesn’t just talk the talk but walks the walk—straight into meaningful connections.

Why Investors Should Care:

Ari is not just another dating app. It’s an AI-driven revolution in human connections, built by experts who understand both tech and people. With a scalable business model and a massive market, Ari is set to disrupt how we build relationships.

Ari was recently featured in Forbes. Just 10% of the men get 90% of the matches, says VIDA, the company behind the Ari AI dating app. It gets worse: the bottom 50% of men receive just 1% of matches, which is why, the company says, 63% of men under 30 are single and one in three young men report zero intimacy in the past few years.

“Men who are overwhelmed by isolation and lack meaningful connections are facing increasing levels of depression and anxiety every day," Scott said. “Ari is here to help level the playing field.”

Quick Links:

• Company Website
• Book a Meeting
• Opportunity Overview

Company: ForeGenomics — Unlocking the Secrets of DNA

Matt Pelo

• Title: Founder & CEO
• LinkedIn Profile: Matt Pelo
• Matt Pelo is the DNA whisperer you didn’t know you needed. A true pioneer in genomics, Matt’s mission is simple but groundbreaking: harness the power of DNA to create personalized solutions that redefine health and wellness. With an impressive track record and a vision to match, Matt is putting the future of medicine in your hands—literally.

Why Investors Should Care:

ForeGenomics is riding the wave of precision medicine, a market projected to hit $217 billion by 2028. Matt’s leadership and focus on unlocking the untapped potential of DNA make this startup a front-runner in the genomics race.

Quick Links:

• Company Website
• Book a Meeting
• Opportunity Overview

Company: TomBot — A Companion Like No Other

Tom Stevens

• Title: Founder & CEO
• LinkedIn Profile: Tom Stevens
• Tom doesn’t just think outside the box; he builds robots that live outside it. With a background spanning engineering and entrepreneurship, Tom has poured his expertise into TomBot—a robotic companion designed to improve lives through empathy and innovation. Fun fact? Tom’s robots might just out-companion your actual best friend.

Why Investors Should Care:

As the world embraces robotics in healthcare, companionship, and beyond, TomBot is perfectly positioned to capture a share of this growing market. With Tom Stevens at the helm, this isn’t just a startup; it’s the future of human-robot interaction.

Quick Links:

• Company Website
• Book a Meeting
• Opportunity Overview

So there you have it—three founders, three big ideas, and endless potential. Investors, the ball’s in your court. Who will you bet on?

Until next time, stay curious—and stay bold.

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