Meet The Yope Team

Michael Baum

Founder & CEO
Michael is the rarest of creatures: a true Silicon Valley unicorn focused on real transformation, not just mythical valuations. He has launched six successful companies, including Splunk—the $28.8B beast Cisco corralled into its portfolio. Through The Yope Foundation, his philanthropic lair, he supports the next generation of innovators with funding and a rigorous, year-long boot camp blending startup grit and personal enlightenment. The result? Resilient founders ready to gallop through the tech jungle blazing trails of impact. Over the past decade, this magic has empowered 125 university startups, raising an additional $3 billion and transforming lives worldwide. Michael’s true power? Championing conscious innovation with fellow horn-bearers, making life on Earth better for all creatures.

Andreas Loy

Chief Consciousnes Officer
Andy earned a BSc in Computer Science from the Technical University of Munich and studied information systems at Stanford University. He is the founder of KONUX, an AI company revolutionizing sustainable transportation for millions of people by optimizing railway infrastructure. After building KONUX, he embarked on a personal journey of self-discovery, embracing spirituality and exploring a deeper meaning of life beyond business success. Now, as a conscious entrepreneur, he dedicates his energy to conscious leadership, social projects, and sustainable investments that enhance global well-being and sustainability.

Chris Seybold

Chief Financial Officer
Chris earned a BS in Business from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Devoted to helping organizations plan, measure, and achieve maximum positive impact, Chris is driven by a growth mindset that fosters continuous improvement in both work and life, ensuring financial sustainability and supporting innovation.

Vlad Lata

Investment Director
Vlad earned a BSc in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology from the Technical University of Munich. He co-founded KONUX, leveraging AI and IoT to improve railway systems, and is the Founder and CEO of Avi Medical, a health company revolutionizing primary care. A product-driven tech enthusiast, Vlad helps organizations and teams excel at driving customer value by challenging convention, pushing boundaries, and keeping things simple.

Max Hasler

Investment Director
Max studied at Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM). As a founder and former COO of KONUX, he is passionate about innovation and excellence, driving positive change and empowering freedom through technology. Maximilian strives for continuous personal growth, pursuing a healthy lifestyle while contributing to projects that enhance both infrastructure and human well-being.

Zach Baum

Creative Director
Zach graduated from Pitzer College with a BA in Cognitive Science. As Creative Director, he designs and develops Yope's brand and accelerator experience, ensuring it provides transformative, purpose-driven learning environments that emphasize conscious innovation. With a variety of interests from philosophy, AI, human-centered design, and meditation; Zach also enjoys playing a range of instruments from the handpan, guitar, piano, flute, and DJing!

Our Principles

We spread kindness and compassion, trusting that the universe will reflect our generosity.
Yope Principles
We encourage direct, constructive feedback, helping each other reach our highest potential through candid communication.
Yope Principles
Our actions align with our values, and we commit our energy only to activities that generate positive outcomes for people and the planet.
Yope Principles
We are fully engaged in our interactions, striving to be attentive and responsive within healthy, human limits to our team, community, and ecosystem.
Yope Principles

Meet The Yope Mentors

Alper Aydemir

Founder & CEO Volumental
PhD in Computer Vision, KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Volumental uses AI to create 3D body scans.

Caroline Walerud

Founder & Chairperson Volumental
MSc in Engineering Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Volumental uses AI to create 3D body scans.

Colin Cavote

Founder & CEO Biome
BA in Biomimicry, Drexel University. Biome creates living wall systems that reduces air pollution and enhances urban environments.

Connor Landgraf

Founder & CEO Eko Health
BS in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley. Eko develops digital stethoscopes and AI for cardiovascular disease detection.

Emil Hewage

CEO & Founder BIOS
PhD in Computational Neuroscience, University of Cambridge. BIOS develops neural interfaces to connect the human brain with AI.

Jason Bellet

Founder & CBO Eko Health
BA in Political Economy, University of California, Berkeley. Eko creates smart stethoscopes and AI tools for better heart disease diagnosis.

Keith Hearon

Founder & CEO Poly6 + Virex Health
PhD in Chemical Engineering, Stanford University. Poly6 produces sustainable, bio-based materials for advanced manufacturing and industrial applications.

Leopold Neureburg

Founder & CEO Building Radar
MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich. Building Radar uses AI to identify real-time construction projects worldwide for sales lead generation.

Lindsay Stewart

CEO & Founder Stringr
MBA, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Stringr provides an on-demand video production platform connecting media outlets with professional video creators.

Mark Chung

Founder & CEO Verdigris
BSEE in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University. Verdigris offers AI-powered energy management solutions to optimize building efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Michael Martin

Founder & CEO RapidSOS
MBA, Harvard Business School. RapidSOS connects emergency services with real-time data to enhance 911 response and save lives.

Olivier Armitage

Founder & CSO BIOS
PhD in Computational Neuroscience, University of Cambridge. BIOS creates AI-driven neural interfaces to advance brain-computer communication.

Pascal Blum

Founder & CEO Unu Motors
BA in International Business, Munich Business School. Unu produces smart electric scooters designed for urban mobility with integrated app-based technology.

Pekka Lurila

Founder & CSO ICEYE
MSc in Space Science and Technology, Aalto University. ICEYE builds microsatellites providing real-time, radar imaging data to monitor global environments and infrastructure.

Pramod Abichandani

Founder & CEO LocoRobo
PhD in Electrical Engineering, Drexel University. Locorobo develops educational robotics kits and platforms to teach students coding, robotics, and AI.

Ryan Mcquaid

Founder & CEO Plushcare
BS in Business Administration, University of  California Berkeley. PlushCare offers virtual healthcare services, providing access to online doctor consultations and prescription management.

Sherine Abdelmawla

Founder & CEO Akanocure
PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Purdue University. Akanocure uses advanced chemical synthesis to develop novel therapies for treating rare diseases and cancers.

Susan Graham

Founder & CEO Dendra Systems
PhD in Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford. Dendra Systems uses drone and AI technology to restore ecosystems at scale.

Vinay Mahadik

Founder & CEO Securly + Ayraa
MS in Computer Security, Rochester Institute of Technology, MBA, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Securly offers cloud-based security solutions to protect students online and improve digital safety.
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