Announcing Tsai CITY’s Fall 2025 Venture Development Teams

This fall, Tsai CITY welcomes a new wave of innovators, creators, and changemakers in our Venture Development Programs–from first-time founders testing bold ideas to returning entrepreneurs scaling their next big move. Across Launch Pad, Accelerator, and Founders-in-Residence, this cohort embodies Tsai CITY’s mission to help students imagine, experiment, and build with purpose. 

Launch Pad: Ideas Taking Flight

Our Launch Pad teams are turning sparks into prototypes–testing early-stage, exploring customer discovery, and building momentum for what’s next. 

View this semester’s Launch Pad teams here

Accelerator: Scaling What Works 

Meet the ventures ready to level up. This fall’s Accelerator teams are taking validated ideas and refining them through product development, market testing, and mentorship from the Tsai CITY network.

Anatomist Security
Kevin Wang (SOM ’27)
Provides in-depth security audits and advanced vulnerability research for blockchain ecosystems, specializing in uncovering critical flaws in areas such as compilers and consensus protocols.

Chacha Butter 
Yeabsera Agonfer (DIV ’27)
Offers shelf-stable, lactose-free clarified butter infused with aromatic spices, providing convenient and flavorful options for cooking and meals.

EarthCurl Organics
Kristen Dillard (YSE ’28)
Crafts organic hair care products and promotes sustainable hair care knowledge

Spark
James Steele (YC ’26), Ahaan Bhansali (YC ’26)
Spark eliminates the need for multiple devices by turning one powerful phone into your laptop, tablet, and desktop — using modular shells for any setup.

Irada
Vini Amit Rupchandaniv (SOM ’28)
A card game designed to help people form meaningful friendships and discover their purpose through engaging conversations.

KarinaJ Denim
Karina Gupta (SOM ’26)
A premium women’s denim brand offering slip-on jeans with a leggings-like waistband that adapts to the body for comfort and style.

KOHORT STUDIOS
Chris Kim (YSE ’27)
Designs 3D-printed stainless steel putters that offer customizable weight configurations and unique aesthetics, merging innovation with personal connection.

Lux et Veritas
Daphne Wu (YC ’26)
A psychological black comedy feature film directed and produced by university students, aiming for distribution on streaming platforms.

Pathlight
Ariyan Patel (YC ’29)
An AI-powered navigation headset for blind and low-vision users, using cameras and on-device AI to provide hands-free guidance through light cues, with proven beta test success.

Pop Thrills
Arthur Rivera (SOM ’27)
Buys and sells collectibles—primarily Funko products. 

PRISM Bags
Rachel Lee (SOM ’27)
Designs functional and stylish bags and backpacks using innovative vegan materials, catering to the needs of professional women and modern lifestyles.

Tennie
Bailey Ehrens (SOM ’26)
A professional clothing platform that helps women feel confident in their workwear through personalized quizzes and curated shopping experiences.
 

Founders in Residence teams

Blue Dot Partners
Swarnima Bhattacharya (SPH ’26)
Providing supplements and support for women’s under-researched health issues such as PCOS, menopause, and fertility—empowering women with evidence-based, holistic health solutions.

forEVAhealth
Jaya Dadwal (SPH ’26)
A female-founded venture on a mission to revolutionize how women understand their reproductive choices by developing a personalized, inclusive, and data-secure cycle tracking device.

FulcrumCare
Laurie Jimenez (YC ’26)
Building integrated dental partnerships to make value-based care more effective, accessible, and patient-centered.

Whiskey Bravo
Benjamin Barkoff (YC '27), Rhia Gupta
Whiskey Bravo works to improve the lives of military families while teaching youth about service and leadership.

*If a venture listed requires changes or updates, please email Sean Plummer (Assistant Director of Digital Communications at Tsai CITY) at sean.plummer@yale.edu.