JJ Fliegelman

JJ Fliegelman is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a strong background in technology, having co-founded WayUp (formerly Campus Job), a leading DEI recruiting platform that raised over $40 million and was recognized by CNN. He is currently building First Harmonic and actively invests in early-stage startups, particularly through Y Combinator Demo Day funds. x+3

He is deeply integrated into the Y Combinator ecosystem, first as a successful alumnus (W15 batch) with WayUp, then as a Visiting Group Partner (2022-2023), and now as a prolific investor leading multiple Demo Day funds. His article 'Your company is not 'too far along' for YC' highlights his commitment to fostering startup growth and sharing his insights. ycombinator+2

Fliegelman possesses a unique blend of technical and business acumen, starting as a self-taught programmer with a background in International Studies and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by experience as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. This diverse foundation allowed him to effectively lead the technical development as CTO of WayUp and contribute to its strategic growth. ycombinator+2

Beyond his professional pursuits, JJ is an avid linguist and traveler, demonstrating a keen interest in languages (proficient in English, Spanish, Hebrew, Catalan, French, and German) and experiencing diverse cultures through backpacking. He also enjoys unique hobbies like cooking with a flamethrower and appreciating both gourmet and budget-friendly coffee and pizza. x+3