sdianahu found and interviewed 12 ambitious builders/founders at YC Startup…

Brief

sdianahu interviewed 12 standout builders at YC Startup School (Chase Center) out of more than 6,000 attendees, profiling diverse founders including Vivian Midha Shen (IOI 2x gold), a Navy explosive ordnance officer, and a 17-year-old Coinbase intern. The 2026-08-03 video covers what they’re building, education choices, motivations, and advice, and notes YC F26 late applications remain open.

Why it matters

sdianahu found and interviewed 12 ambitious builders/founders at YC Startup School (Chase Center) out of over 6,000 attendees; the video was posted 2026-08-03 and includes timestamps (00:00 intro, 00:28 meet founders, 02:01 what they’re building, 09:17 should you go to college?, 10:46 why they started, 11:58 advice).

Key details

Interviewees include Vivian Midha Shen (@vivianmshen), an IOI two-time gold medalist, a Navy explosive ordnance officer, and a 17-year-old intern at Coinbase; one founder reportedly built a rocket out of salad bowls. PS: YC F26 late applications are still open.

some of startup school attendees

Vivian Midha Shen (@vivianmshen)

an IOI 2x gold medalist, a Navy explosive ordnance officer, and a 17 y/o intern at Coinbase walked into Chase Center last weekend...

...and I interviewed all of them.

I found 12 of the most ambitious builders and founders at YC Startup School, out of over 6,000 people.

from all over the world, all with the same energy: earnest, creative, resourceful - including one who built a rocket out of salad bowls.

PS: you can still apply late to YC F26.

00:00 — Intro
00:28 — Meet the founders and builders
02:01 — What they’re building
09:17 — Should you go to college?
10:46 — Why they started
11:58 — Advice and what’s next

Video

— https://nitter.net/vivianmshen/status/2084084286479650850#m