Startup Founders Need Customers, Not More Awards

May 27, 2025

The hardest part of leaving something you built is stepping away from the incredible people you crossed paths with.

I shared last week that my decision to leave Codefi after more than 10 years was deeply complex—filled with gratitude and humility. [1][2] The company was great because of the people who worked there, but we all agreed it wasn't about the organization. It's not about us, not about me. It was always about the startups and incredible founders who trusted us to work alongside them.

"The gala and this award is great," I recall one founder telling me of their experience from a previous accelerator that oftentimes celebrated themselves more than supporting the startups, "but what we really need is customers." I'll never forget that.

Founders At Work was formidable for me [3], as Y Combinator a decade earlier embodied being genuinely founder-friendly. [4] Today, I'm asking directly for your help: explore these startups (some much more grown-up now), and if you see something that solves a real problem for you or someone you know, please check them out or share.

Startup Shoutouts

Concept AgriTek - Trey Curtis

He's your no-BS founder, quietly turning Charleston, MO into the home of a national agricultural innovator with innovative fertility concepts to improve soil and plant nutrition year-round. [5][6]

Co-angler - John Bledsoe

Laid off after 13 years as a biochemist, he decided to start building a company around his life's passion of fishing with buddies, embracing every learning opportunity along the way. Their new mobile app just launched so you can explore, connect, and go fishing. [7][8]

Nutlock & HabitNest - Amir Atighehchi & Mikey Ahdoot

The very first founder-pair I worked with—experts in defining and manifesting the life you want through daily habits. [9][10][11][12]

Homage - Nishant Bhardwaj

We met just after he'd finished his MBA and had left his job selling pretzels from the mall—just to be able to send $400/mo to India to support his family back home. He's now scaled and helped others around the world grow 7- to 8-digit brands. The story of him making $180k in three days off the craze of "Deez Nuts" is unforgettable. He recently launched Homage, which borrows the DNA from some of the top fragrances in the world and creates a highly concentrated version of it in a roll-on format. [13][14]

HuntPay - Murielle Gaither

If 'resourcefulness' were personified, it would unquestionably be Murielle. They've created a seamless booking and payments tool for hunting guides and outfitters. [15][16]

Impulse - Michael Dawson

Probably the most inquisitive thinker I've met—he just views and engages with the world so uniquely, which is clearly reflected in his brilliant work. He's built a novel approach to overcoming impulses. [17][18]

Morningstarbx - Lindsey Pippins

She had the most badass ending to a pitch I've seen with, "If you want proof that I've unlocked ways to help people with autism become entrepreneurs, you're looking at one." [19][20]

Parent ProTech - Brock Murphy

Completely underestimated by me before I even met him, Brock taught me humility. He is relentlessly persistent, incredibly generous, and one of the most coachable founders I've known. They are making sure communities and families safely navigate the tech landscape. [21][22]

PubGen.ai & Sho.ai - Sho Rust

Sho is a boomerang who came back from LA to Cape after graduating from The Arts Center and working with BCG on major projects like The Avengers. He is one of the most brilliantly talented product founders I've had the pleasure of working with. Sho.ai is an AI-driven brand system. PubGen.ai empowers local newsrooms with AI. [23][24][25]

PumpTrakr - Nathan Holmes

Bar none, the hardest working founder I've ever met. A great friend. As a second-generation farmer, he's the type of person when people are running away from hard problems, he's the one attacking it and identifies the novel ways to fix them. I firmly believe Nathan has designed the solution that will solve water conservation. PumpTrakr is an IoT AgTech solution that helps manage entire irrigation teams and systems in one place. [26][27]

rooted web - Jeff Gipson

He joined our adult coding program, returned as a Code Coach to pay-it-forward, and launched his second business—then grew the marketing company where it was acquired by Haley Marketing. [28][29][30]

Sizze.io - Nikolai Ivanov

Likely the fastest UI/UX designer I've met. Nick built technology to basically clone and replicate his talents for anyone, anywhere. [31][32]

Swipesum - Michael Seaman

Many times I'd go to Michael's office and he wasn't there. Why? He was usually down the hall in another founder's office coaching them for their startup. That's why he easily became the first Founder-in-Residence. Swipesum helps companies discover the best credit card processing solutions and get the lowest payment processing fees. [33][34]

Transition - Kayla Wright-Jackson, MHA

The origin story of Transition is heartbreaking yet radiates wholesomeness. The presence and confidence Kayla brings to a room elevates everyone around her. Transition is a workforce platform that fast-tracks talent into healthcare and skilled trades careers. [35][36]

upSwot - Dmitry Norenko

Perfect example of "trust as the most important currency in a startup ecosystem." He's always been willing to help others make connections. upSwot integrates hundreds of applications and bank platforms, and was recently acquired by UPTIQ. [37][38][39]

UpSquad - Derrick Reives

The company helps connect candidates with targeted training to fill high-demand vacancies which was positioned perfectly to solve critical problems when covid-19 hit. I'm proud to have coached through the early days of customer discovery. [40][41]

Vendoor - Adam Davis

Adam can be described as down-to-earth and authentic. His background and story is an example of how you can go from being a shithead to getting your shit together. Vendoor was started after Adam found himself locked and left overnight in an Old Navy attic. And now he provides job sites a solution so no one can end up in a shitty situation like he was. [42][43]

Thanks for reading Questioning Rural! This post is public so feel free to share it.

You founders are the inspiration behind everyone who works supporting startup- and tech-based economies. I got to experience with you some of the best of your times and a I got to experience some of the worst of times with you. The greatest part is that I just got to experience working with you.

I was personally able to help some more than others, whether because of experience, knowledge, or connections. And that's why I wanted to do a proper send-off, so hopefully many more will support you even further.