--- title: Startups date: 2025-06-06T17:30:00+01:00 author: Inarah H canonical_url: "https://www.connectd.com/us/stories/startups" section: Stories --- # Our startup success stories From first-time founders to experienced entrepreneurs, startups of every shape and size have levelled up through Connectd. Learn how we’ve helped our network scale for success. ![](/dist/images/blob-light.png) ![](/dist/images/blob-light.png) ![](/dist/images/blob-light.png) ![](/dist/images/blob-light.png) [ ![](/uploads/Images/_900x600_crop_center-center_90_none/CS-Logos-1.png) ### Andrew White When Andrew White and his co-founder Ru set out to build Otterkin — the world's fine art commissioning platform — they had the vision and the passion, but as two non-technical founders, they needed expert guidance to turn that vision into a shippable product. Through Connectd, they were matched with Julie McFadden, a software engineer with 30 years of experience, and the fit was immediate. What began as an advisory relationship quickly evolved into a full fractional CTO partnership, with Julie bringing the technical structure and sprint cadence that allowed Andrew to step back from the product and focus on growing the business. In this success story, the two reflect on their collaboration, the trade-offs they navigated in getting Otterkin to market, and why the founder-fractional combination — built on shared vision and mutual respect — can be one of the most powerful assets an early-stage startup has. ](https://www.connectd.com/us/stories/andrew-white) [ ![](/uploads/Images/_900x600_crop_center-center_90_none/CS-Logos-5.png) ### Kelvin Voen Kelvin Voen is the co-founder of NewKroo, a social platform helping people rebuild their friendship circle at any stage of life. When the MVP launched, the product worked — but clarity, focus, and resource allocation were holding the business back. A recommendation from a prospective founding member led him to Connectd, where he was matched with advisors who didn't just fill the gaps he already knew about, but identified areas he hadn't even considered. In three months, the growth has been unlike anything he can fully put into words. ](https://www.connectd.com/us/stories/kelvin-voen) [ ![](/uploads/Images/_900x600_crop_center-center_90_none/CS-Logos.png) ### Lisa Stroud Lisa Stroud, founder of True Beauty Lashes and inventor of Lash Lover, discovered Connectd during San Francisco Tech Week and found exactly the support system she needed as a solo founder balancing a full-time job alongside her growing beauty brand. Through Connectd, she was matched with three advisors spanning finance, marketing, and product development — each bringing expertise that has proven invaluable as she prepares for investor conversations and scales her business. ](https://www.connectd.com/us/stories/lisa-stroud) [ ![](/uploads/Images/_900x600_crop_center-center_90_none/snippetmedia-876-x-552_72.webp) ### Sam Marshall Sam Marshall has spent 18 months building Snippit Media, a platform delivering guaranteed attention in an advertising world overrun with noise. After a failed go-to-market strategy left the business with a significantly reduced screen network and a mounting burn rate, Sam came to Connectd feeling like a wounded animal. Through the platform, he was matched with Grant — and what followed was a complete commercial rebuild that has left Snippit Media in a stronger position than ever before. ](https://www.connectd.com/us/stories/sam-marshall) [ ![](/uploads/Images/_900x600_crop_center-center_90_none/Underbeneath-876-x-552_72.webp) ### Amelia Tombs Amelia Tombs and Chloe Grant are building the world's first human-centric operating system for circular bra manufacturing — connecting local wearers with manufacturers to deliver a custom fit, on demand. After completing an accelerator and incubator with UAL, they came to Connectd with clear gaps in their advisory board across financials, sustainability at scale, and supply chain. What they found were three advisors who didn't just advise — they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. ](https://www.connectd.com/us/stories/amelia-tombs) [ ![](/uploads/Images/_900x600_crop_center-center_90_none/Nappr.png) ### Jared Lerner Nappr is solving a problem every exhausted traveller knows too well: having nowhere to rest when you need it most. Founded by Jared Lerner after years of red-eye flights and caffeine-fuelled burnout, the platform connects tired travellers with hotel rooms available for daytime stays. A few months into their Connectd journey, the team has already built a three-person advisory board spanning payments, finance, and go-to-market strategy, and they’re already looking to grow it further. ](https://www.connectd.com/us/stories/jared-lerner) [ View all stories ](https://www.connectd.com/us/stories/startups.md?limit=999) ## Every startup story is unique, but all our members agree that the right connections can transform your trajectory as you enter your next chapter. Previus Slide Next Slide ## Ready to change the narrative for your startup? Get Connectd today [ Start your search ](https://app.connectd.com/v2/listings/create) ![](/dist/images/blob-red.png) ![](/dist/images/blob-red.png) ![](/dist/images/blob-red.png)