FROM DRAPER UNIVERSITY TO 500 STARTUPS
By Manel Hernández Tomás
My adventure in the United States began in February 2018 when Kiki was selected for StartUp Grind 2018 Global Summit in Silicon Valley (we were the only Spanish StartUp selected and the only other one from Europe was from Portugal. Making us the two only European startups selected.)
That is when I met the Director of Draper University: Juan Acosta, who greeted us with gusto & enthusiasm and it was like love at first sight! And that was only the beginning of KiKi’sjourney…
In June 2018, we were selected for Cardinal Ventures (a 6 month accelerator program at Stanford University).
In September 2018, we started the Y Combinator Startup School program.
In March 2019 I joined Draper University’s Spring Hero Training program, “the place to be” for all entrepreneurs. Draper U was founded by Tim Draper, who comes from one of the oldest venture capital families in Silicon Valley. It was one of the best personal and professional experiences of my life. I learned a lot from all the speakers, the staff and the other heroes who helped me grow as an entrepreneur and challenged me to always have a stronger mindset. The best part of Draper University is the family that I made; I can say that I have brothers and sisters from all over the world. By the way, when I have kids old enough, I will definitely send them to Survival Week (Draper University Alumni will understand me).
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, but I get to keep the amazing unforgettable memories created. The 4th of May we had to leave of Draper University, but very good news was on the horizon: KiKi was selected to join Batch25 of 500 Startups Seed Accelerator program in San Francisco. That means we had reached the top and were going to the best accelerator program in the world: YES, 500 Startups!!!
Since the start of KiKi our team has been building and funding everything ourselves. Thanks to hard work for more than one year, we saw great results and in June 2019; DU Ventures invested in our startup. I want to take the opportunity inwriting this letter to thank: Andy Tang, Juan Acosta, Asra Nadeem and Katie Russel for their continuous support and trust in KiKi and in myself. Officially, Draper University Ventures is our first investor and thanks to them many more are coming.
Maybe, while reading this article you might think that everything has been flawless. However, my mom –thanks to her- has been following my journey from the beginning and knows very well that it was and still is a very tough journey.
We are living at Serendipia Chain, a co-living and co-working house for entrepreneurs and change makers from around the world. It was also started by a fellow Draper University alumni. Serendipia Life is where entrepreneurs can share the struggles of building a company and help each other like a family does.
And with KiKi, we sleep in the garage of Serendipia Life, because all the best companies in the world started in a garage in Silicon Valley. Would you be the next?
Manel Hernández Tomás
Founder & CEO at KiKi
Draper University Alumni
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Draper University was founded by venture capitalist Tim Draper with the mission to inspire people and accelerate ideas by igniting the entrepreneurial spirit globally. Come join 900+ alumni who have launched their own startups, raised $220+M in venture funding and who work with leading technology companies to foster innovation. Live and learn in Silicon Valley during the 5 week fully immersive program and go from human to hero.
