CSQ presents its first annual “40 under 40” of the most innovative NextGen founders and CEOs in Los Angeles and New York. An even split between the cities, this list of talent is disrupting industries that range from health care and hospitality to gaming and the music industry. Young, driven, and full of momentum, these leaders were selected through a process that began with a call for nominations. Then, using a system that graded innovations within industry, current market connectivity, future business potential, and previous entrepreneurial wins, a selection committee of visionary entrepreneurs and experts helped make the final selections.
CHRIS ACHAR – LA
Founder & CEO
Genzum
Industry Biotech
Est Annual Revenue $15.7M
Funds Raised $20M
Business Mission Developing niche pharmaceutical products for partners and consumers around the world and making healthcare medicines more affordable and accessible to patients
Notable Achievements Los Angeles Business Journal 20 in their 20’s; Life Science Leader Executive 2015; New Pharma Magazine Emerging Leader; CSQ Next Gen 10; Inc 500
ADAM ALPERT – NY
Founder & CEO
Disruptor Records & Selector Songs
Industry Entertainment
Business Mission Streamlines label capabilities with a uniform strategic goal of long term artist development, and uses forward-thinking, progressive marketing methods revolving around genuine, non-commercialized promotion, and direct artist-fan communication relationships to build artist careers. Recently, Alpert developed the nontraditional “building album”; a strategy that collects a series of singles and rolls them into an EP or album. This innovative approach results in every track on the album getting playlisted on DSPs and helped The Chainsmokers score their third No 1 Dance/Electronic album “Sick Boy”
Notable Achievements Sold over 30 million singles worldwide
SCOOTER BRAUN – LA
Founder
SB Projects
Industry Entertainment
The Business Mission – What are you doing that is innovative? Disruptive? A diversified entertainment and media company with ventures that integrate a variety of businesses, including music, film, television, technology and philanthropy, creating an environment where failures and fear are nothing but rest stops on their path to success.
Something notable As Braun continues to expand SB Projects, he remains committed to the company’s founding philosophy of giving back and serves as Chair to the Advisory Board of Pencils of Promise, a non-profit organization that has helped to build over 200 schools in developing countries.
MICHAEL & DANIEL BROUKHIM – LA
Co-founders & Co-CEOs
FabFitFun
Industry Health & Wellness
Est Revenue $200M +
Funds Raised $83.5M
The Business Mission – What are you doing that is innovative? Disruptive? FabFitFun offers subscription services that allow its members to discover brands and products. FabFitFun is a team of self-starters, working together to achieve their mission. It’s a fast-paced environment, but they always take the time to celebrate birthdays, big wins, and cheer each other on. FFF aims to motivate, inspire and excite readers with a slew of great, healthy resources for every kind of woman — from the new college student to the new mom.
Something Notable Daniel was born and raised in Los Angeles and received a BA from Berkeley and JD from UCLA. At Berkeley, he founded a chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon and created and taught a course on Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm. At Harvard, Michael served as the Editorial Chair for the Crimson and earned a National Pacemaker Award for his writing.
GEOFFREY CHAIKEN – NY
Co-founders & Co-CEOs
Blink Health
Industry Healthcare
Est Revenue $6M
Funds Raised $165M
The Business Mission – What are you doing that is innovative? Disruptive? Blink Health’s mission is to make prescription medications available at lower prices to millions of people across the United States. As the first e-commerce company to bring prescriptions online, Blink Health solves the prescription drug pricing problem in the US by offering patients amazingly inexpensive Rx prices.
Something Notable Geoffrey was previously at Brave Warrior Advisors, where he was one of three investors managing $3 billion. At Brave Warrior, Geoffrey led the firm’s successful investment throughout the technology and pharmaceutical supply chains.
VANESSA DEW, DAINA TROUT, JUSTIN TROUT – LA
Co-founders
Health Ade Kombucha
Industry Health
Est Revenue $3.7M
Funds Raised $29M
The Business Mission – What are you doing that is innovative? Disruptive? Kombucha utilizes new brewery, along with primary and secondary fermentation processes to transform sweet tea into Kombucha while significantly reducing sugar content of the drinks.
Goals for ‘19’ Be conversational in French and Mandarin; travel around internationally by myself for the first time; get back on the tennis court and play a full match
Something notable USC Marshall Mentor; USC Marshall Guest Lecturer; Advisory Boards for CPG startups; Next Gen 10
WALTER DRIVER – LA
Co-founder & Co-CEO
Scopely
Industry Games Company
Funds Raised $258.7M
The Business Mission – What are you doing that is innovative? Disruptive? Scopely games provide immersive experiences for millions of casual and core gamers around the globe. Founded in 2011, Scopely is home to a proprietary technology platform that creates personalized user experiences and effectively monetizes free-to-play games at scale.
With six consecutive top-grossing games and more than 400 employees, Walter continues to expand Scopely’s reach, changing the way mobile games are developed, distributed, and monetized.
Something notable Since founding Scopely in 2011, Walter has built the company from the ground up, making it the #2 fastest growing company in America in 2015 according to Deloitte’s Fast 500 List.
WADE EYERLY – NY
Founder & CEO
Education Insurance
Industry Insurance
Business Mission Create a new insurance product that guarantees University students make more income after graduation — Fostering more applicants, greater retention, and more happy graduates. It’s our hope that through our work at EIC, we can help pave a path for many students across the country to pursue their own American Dreams.
He speaks on topics from developing a positive company culture and non-traditional hiring practices to “Why you should start an airline, or a Ferrari Racing Team.”
Notable Achievements He speaks on topics from developing a positive company culture and non-traditional hiring practices to “Why you should start an airline, or a Ferrari Racing Team.”
JENNIFER FITZGERALD – NY
Founder & CEO
Policygenius
Industry InsurTech
Est Revenue $2.3M
Funds Raised $51M
Business Mission Helps people discover and receive the financial protection they need and have them feel good about it.
JUSTIN FUISZ – LA
Co-founder & CEO
Octi
Industry Technology
Funds Raised $7.5M
Business Mission Build the world’s first system for human understanding in augmented reality for smartphones by creating new patented technologies with a world-class.
Notable Achievements NFLPA Startup of the year winner 2018; Apple App Store Best New Apps
STEVE GATENA – LA
Founder & CEO
Pray.com
Industry Technology
Funds Raised $16M
Business Mission To resolve societal challenges by making tools for people to live better lives and combining our talents to achieve something bigger than ourselves. Operating on a mindset of gratitude and curiosity, there’s always something to be known.
Goals for ‘19 Leave a legacy of helping others by continuing to grow the reach and social impact of Pray.com
Notable Achievements Helped people in more than 183 countries share over 35 million prayers.
BRYAN GOLDBERG – NY
Founder & CEO
Bustle Digital Group
Industry Media and Entertainment
Est Revenue $46.3M
Funds Raised $50.5M
Business Mission Bustle delivers everything a person wants to know, read, and see at the very moment by engaging readers’s interests to explore and discover every topic one’s searching for, including politics, entertainment, fashion, charity, food & beverage, etc.
Notable Achievements Crain’s New York, Fast 50 2018
WILL GUIDARA – NY
Founder
Make It Nice
Industry Professional Service
Business Mission Emphasizing on support for employees and encouraging their growth and development
Goals for ‘19 Establishing a better work + life balance for everyone on the team; As we continue to grow, to not stop embodying the things that give us the opportunities to grow; 3. Growth often results in a watering down of the brand — every time we open a new restaurant we want it to make our current restaurants better.
Notable Achievements WSJ Magazine: 2016 Innovators Awards/Food Innovators Daniel Humm and Will Guidara. For Eleven Madison Park: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants; #1 Restaurant in the World 2017; Michelin Guide, three stars; The New York Times, four stars; Wine Spectator: Grand Award. 7 James Beard Awards, including outstanding chef, outstanding service, and outstanding pastry chef
KAAN GUNAY – NY
Founder
Firefly
Industry Media
Funds Raised $21.5M
Business Mission To connect everyone, people, businesses, and government to create a more sustainable, safer, and smarter cities by leveraging advertising into shaping the mobilities of places that’s gradually transforming into smarter cities.
Goals for ‘19 Establish Firefly in new cities including New York, Miami, & more; be recognized as an innovator in the smart city and advertising sector; grow Firefly as a company as powerful force for good
Notable Achievements Graduate of Brown and Stanford GSB; Fellow at Sequoia Capital and Fellow at Lightspeed Venture Partners
PATRICK HORSMAN – NY
Co-founder & Managing Partner
Blue Sand Securities
Industry Investment
Est Revenue $21M
The Business Mission – What are you doing that is innovative? Disruptive? We’re matchmakers in the marketing world, bringing together superior investment talent and investors seeking to allocate to unique strategies.Our targeted approach cuts through the noise in the alternative space, and enables us to meet the high standards of the best and brightest institutional investors. Our people comprise a panoramic view of relevant industry experience including fund of funds analysts, hedge fund managers, entrepreneurs, and dedicated alternative asset marketers.
Something notable (if available) His focus is uncovering esoteric niche investments that have a sustainable competitive advantage. Mr. Horsman is the Managing Partner of Blue Sand Securities LLC which he Co-Founded in 2002. Blue Sand is a placement agent and has raised over $15 billion from institutional investors for its Alternative Investment fund clients.
ERIK HUBERMAN – LA
Founder & CEO
Hawke Media
Industry Media
Est Revenue $20M
Business Mission Customize data-driven, performance-focused solutions to help launch, scale, and invigorate businesses of all sizes, industries, and revenue models
RYAN HUDSON – LA
Co-founder & President
Honey
Industry Retail
Location LA
Funds Raised $40.8M
Business Mission If there’s a better price, we’ll find it. Honey finds you the Internet’s best discount codes.
PAYAL KADAKIA – NY
Founder & Executive Chairman
ClassPass
Industry Health & Fitness
Location NY
Est Revenue $150M+
Funds Raised $239M
Business Mission a subscription marketplace that lets its users to browse and book fitness classes within a network of more than 8,500 partners in about 50 cities across the world, providing the fullest fitness experience including yoga, cycling, Pilates, barre, running, strength training, dance, sports, videos and more
REBECCA KANTAR – NY
Founder
Imbellus
Industry Software (Human Computer Interaction)
Location NY
Funds Raised $22.5M
Business Mission We build simulation based assessments to evaluate how people think, not just what they know
Notable Achievements Prior to launching Imbellus, Rebecca founded an expert network connecting entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. That business was acqui-hired by GLG in 2012, where Rebecca was an Entrepreneur In Residence
ARIEL KAYE – LA
Founder & CEO
Parachute
Industry E-Commerce (Interior Design)
Location LA
Est Revenue $30M
Funds Raised $40.8M
Business Mission To not only offer the best sheets on the market, but to also inspire a community around sleep, wellness, and creating a comfortable home. Years ago while traveling in Italy, I checked into a picturesque hotel on the Amalfi Coast and discovered the softest, most comfortable bedding. When shopping for sheets later on, I found myself surrounded by stacks of products that all looked the same. I wanted something like those beautiful linens I’d experienced in Europe, but I didn’t want to spend a fortune or settle for something treated with chemicals
SEAN KELLY – LA
Co-founder & CEO
SnackNation
Industry Food
Location LA
Funds Raised $12M
Business Mission To find exciting, health conscious snack brands and connect them around the snack bowl with like-minded people. People craving a better alternative, a fuel that matches their fire and products with purpose.SnackNation isn’t just a tech-enable snack delivery service reaching more than half a million consumers. It’s a data and insights powerhouse
Goals for ‘19 Customer obsession; create in-office data-collection & engagement application; launch our predictive analytics engine
Notable Achievements Inc. 5000 List (#24 overall, #2 in food category); LABJ #3 fastest growing companies in Los Angeles; curation partner for WeWork’s WeMRKT retail spaces
ANDY KLEINMAN – LA
Founder & CEO
Wonder
Location LA
Industry Entertainment
Business Mission Provide a service that accesses the intellect and fact-finding skills of a distributed network of researchers around the world. The special thing about the community that Wonder is building is that we know our users will be the ones that will help us improve and get better over time.
Goals For ’19 Launch, inspire other entrepreneurs to dream big and help them achieve their goals; make my son smile every day.
JOSHUA KUSHNER – NY
Co-founder & Managing Director
Thrive Capital
Industry Venture Capital
Location NY
Funds Raised $2.3B
Business Mission Thrive Capital is a venture capital investment firm focused on internet and software investments
Notable Achievements Co-founded Oscar Health with fellow CSQ 40 under 40 Mario Scholler, Forbes’ 30 under 30, Inc Magazine’s 35 under 35, Crain’s 40 under 40
AARON LEVANT – LA
Co-founder & CEO
The NTWRK
Industry Retail
Location LA
Est Revenue Pre-Revenue
Business Mission NTWRK brings the biggest brands and cultural icons together for exclusive shows only available on the NTWRK app and website
Goals for ‘19Hire the best people
Notable Achievements I don’t have too many and I’m not so concerned about getting them
SHAN-LYNMA – LA
Co-founder & CEO
Zola
Industry E-Commerce
Location NY
Est Revenue $120M
Funds Raised $140M
Business Mission The wedding company that will do anything for love. We’re reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in our couples’ lives even happier. From engagement to wedding and decorating your first home, Zola combines compassionate customer service with modern tools and technology
ARA MAHDESSIAN – LA
Co-founder & CEO
ServiceTitan
Industry Technology
Location LA
Funds Raised $326M
Business Mission Service management software that helps the leading home services businesses generate more leads, book more appointments, and close more sales. Real-time bookings integrate with partners like Yelp to allow consumers to seamlessly and digitally book an appointment with home services providers. We’re integrating the supply chain with suppliers like Lennox to allow our customers the ability to automatically order necessary parts and equipment
JAKE MILLAR – NY
Co-founder & CEO
Unfiltered.tv
Industry Media Production
Location NY
Business Mission Providing business advice, inspiration, and knowledge for both first-time entrepreneurs or seasoned startup vetera, and change the business education landscape around the world and build world-changing businesses to inspire others to do the same
Goals for ‘19 Launch and grow Unfiltered 3.0 (new platform); execute our growth strategy in the US and Asia markets; grow the Unfiltered team in New Zealand and United States
Notable Achievements Forbes’ 30 Under 30 2019
ARI MIR – LA
Co-founder
Clutter
Industry Real Estate Tech
Location LA
Est Revenue $3M
Funds Raised $296M
Business Mission To make people’s lives easier and more convenient but picking up their storage boxes, storing them, then delivering when ready
Goals for ‘19 Continue growing our business faster and faster so that we can positively impact more and more customers; continue adding highly talented teammates who are passionate about customer experience; continue reinvesting our financial and human capital in the customer experience so we can continue providing more value at lower prices to customers
Notable Achievements I’m tremendously proud of some of the milestones Clutter has achieved so far, but, frankly, when I read a Yelp review that says Clutter “was a lifesaver” or “I don’t know what I would have done without Clutter,” that’s when I feel most proud of what we’ve built. Prior to Clutter, I was Co-Founder and President of another LA-based start-up, GumGum, which is now the world’s largest in-image advertising network, generating over $100 million a year in revenue
COURTNEY REUM & CARTER REUM – LA
Co-founders & Partners
M13
Industry Venture Capital
Location LA
Business Mission M13 enables rapid creation of advantages through a scalable approach, utilizing top of the class resources and partnerships in product, brand, acquisition, and operation to enable better and faster business decision making that will compound and benefit over time
MARCELA SAPONE – NY
Co-founder & CEO
Hello Alfred
Industry Professional Services
Location NY
Funds Raised $52.5M
Business Mission Hello Alfred is on a mission to change the way that people live in cities, recognizing the potential behind the intersections of individuals, cultures, and ideas and employing that into making a more sustainable and conscientious future
MARIO SCHLOSSER – NY
Founder & CEO
Oscar Health
Location NY
Industry InsurTech
Est Revenue $1B
Funds Raised $1.3B
Business Mission Oscar Health missions itself to establish a health insurance company centered around the patient; it engages its members and directs them to the care that’s right and necessary, putting individuals and businesses in charge of their own health care
KATERINA SCHNEIDER – LA
Founder & CEO
Ritual
Industry Health
Location LA
Funds Raised $40.5M
Business Mission Better health care starts with better ingredients. With Ritual, customers will know where everything is coming from and why it is there, transforming thebusiness with thorough traceability
SHIVANI SIROYA – LA
Founder & CEO
TALA
Location LA
Industry Finance
Est Revenue $75M
Funds Raised $109M
Business Mission To build the future of finance by expanding financial access, choice, and control for 3 billion under-served globally
TRINA SPEAR & HEATHER HASSON – LA
Co-founders & Co-CEOs
FIGS
Industry Medical Apparel
Location LA
Est Revenue $100M+
Funds Raised $72M
Business Mission Using the best fabric and threads, FIGS transforms the healthcare experience by creating the most innovative, comfortable, and extremely functional medical apparels for the medical professionals today
EVAN SPIEGEL – LA
Founder & CEO
Snap Inc.
Industry Social Media
Location LA
Est Revenue $1.2B
Funds Raised $4.9B
Business Mission a camera company that reinvents the camera in the way to improve the communications and lives of people. It empowers the expressions of people at the various moments and contributes to the human interactions so they can learn more and havefun together
Notable Achievements Forbes 30 Under 30 2017
OPHIR TANZ – LA
Founder & CEO
GumGum
Location LA
Industry Technology
Est Revenue $100M
Funds Raised $37M
Business Mission GumGum uses artificial intelligence to focus on solving problems across the industries, from advertising to professional sports, by teaching machines to better understand the world and instructions
DAVID TISCH – NY
Co-founder & Managing Director
BoxGroup
Industry Venture Capital
Location NY
Business Mission Invest in the earliest stage, support the companies based on team conviction because they believe in “founder market fit” concept that will lead not only to the equal opportunity but also generate a catalyst for the positive change and energy throughout the entire entrepreneur trajectory
RYAN URBAN – NY
Co-founder & CEO
BounceX
Industry Enterprise Software
Location NY
Funds Raised $75M
Business Mission Help businesses identify and understand the visitors to their site through improved device identifications. In the area where the traditional technology fails, BounceX helps to form real connections with known visitors
EMILY WEISS – NY
Founder & CEO
Glossier
Industry Beauty / Consumer Goods
Location NY
Est Revenue $100M+
Funds Raised $186M
Business Mission Making products that are inspired by the consumers themselves. Customers will find all kinds of beauty products, including skincare, makeup, bodycare, and fragrances optimized for real life by using efficacious formulas, thoughtful designs, and enabling conversations
RAMI ZEIDAN – NY
Founder & CEO
Life House Hotels
Industry Hospitality
Location NY
Funds Raised $40M
Business Mission Collaborating with local influences to deliver an environment for customers with authentic expressions, Life House Hotels create projects that respond to each locale to bring authenticity and connection to each other
Goals for ‘19 Open 10 Life House—branded hotels in the US; scale our white-label management product to 25non-Life House branded hotels; take our Life House creative and design, development, and tech takeover process down to 4 months and our white-label management takeover down to 2 weeks
