In 2012, I walked through the halls of Stanford as a student at the d.school, soaking up knowledge on Design Thinking that would later shape my career.
Fast forward to 2025, and I’m thrilled to announce that Pactto has been accepted into StartX, the premier accelerator for Stanford founders, for the Summer 25 cohort. This milestone is not just a testament to our progress but a reminder of the journey from those early days of learning to the grind of building something meaningful.
From Two Decades of Experience to a Leap of Faith
Before founding Pactto, I spent two decades honing my craft across agencies and corporate tech giants. The first ten years saw me working in agencies and even teaching at UCSD. The next ten years took me into the corporate world—I championed developer advocacy globally at BlackBerry and PayPal, then moved on to manage a brand new product at Adobe. My journey culminated as a Principal Product Manager at Intuit, focusing on design systems. Yet, despite the career “success”, I felt a calling to create something of my own.
In March 2023, I took the leap, leaving behind the corporate world to go all-in on Pactto. It’s been a journey filled with intense grind and countless challenges, but moments like being accepted into StartX make it all worth it.
From Application to Acceptance
Together with my cofounder Cadu Souza, we applied to StartX in March 2025. The process was rigorous—we went through three rounds of interviews, focused on: 1) idea and market potential, 2) team dynamics, and 3) technical interview. After weeks of preparation and conversations, we were accepted into the program in April. It was a moment of deep validation and a turning point for everything we’ve been building.
Securing a Milestone: What StartX Means for Pactto
StartX isn’t just any accelerator—it’s a prestigious, highly selective program affiliated with Stanford University, known for nurturing some of the brightest founders and most innovative startups. The program boasts a track record of producing companies with a success rate three times higher of reaching a $100 million valuation compared to other major accelerators. With unparalleled access to a robust community, seasoned investors, and industry experts, StartX is a game-changer.
StartX startups have collectively raised over $24 billion, with an average of $24 million per company. These numbers aren’t just stats—they’re proof of what’s possible when you’re surrounded by the right people and the right support system.
World-Class Mentorship
What truly sets StartX apart is the mentorship. The program has been shaped by leaders like Divya Nag, the founder of StartX Med and a respected voice in the healthtech space. With collaborations from companies like Apple and Johnson & Johnson, the mentorship offered is deep, hands-on, and strategic—exactly what founders like me need to keep pushing forward.
A Heartfelt Thank You
None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our customers, employees, angel investors, advisors, and friends. Your belief in Pactto—from the earliest prototypes through our pre-seed round—has fueled every step forward. We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re building this for and with you.
Embracing the Grind and Celebrating the Wins
To all the founders reading this: the grind is real. It’s intense, it’s uncertain, and it’s full of questions. But it’s also filled with breakthroughs, unexpected support, and the sweet, validating moments like this one. If you’re in it, stay in it. If you’re dreaming, start.
Here’s to the grind, the growth, and the great journey ahead. 🔥
