Andrew Kirpalani

Andrew Kirpalani is an accomplished software engineer and entrepreneur, recognized for co-founding WorkHound, an employee engagement platform for non-desk workers. As the founding CTO, he was instrumental in developing the product and securing significant funding rounds, ultimately leading to a successful private equity growth round. His hands-on experience in building a SaaS business from ideation to exit showcases his technical prowess and business acumen. kirps+2

Known affectionately as "Kirps" in the Des Moines startup community, he is a dedicated ecosystem builder in Iowa. He actively mentors entrepreneurs as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the ISU Startup Factory and through Techstars Iowa, aiming to foster early-stage business growth and address funding and talent challenges in the Midwest startup scene. His commitment extends to establishing new accelerators to provide critical early-stage support. isupjcenter+1

With a strong background in angel investing and an analytical approach to startup funding, Andrew understands the nuances of capital acquisition. His written work, such as "Raising from the Right Funders at the Right Time," demonstrates his insights into matching startup stages with appropriate funding sources and effectively de-risking ventures for investors. isupjcenter