Philip Sebastian

Design Partner | Investor

2024 - Current

From Sidequest to Foundermode, we help designers and builders launch startups bringing modern software and automation to the mainstream—across generative AI, creative tools, and beyond. Run by alumni of YC, On Deck, Antler, Buildspace, SPC, and Pioneer.

Founder Fellowship ODF20

2024 - 2024

Excited to join the OnDeck Founder Fellowship, collaborating with elite founders to build and scale products people need, including my startup, meetrobin.ai. Committed to supporting fellow entrepreneurs in turning ideas into reality, from MVP development to market launch.

Founder In Residence

2023 - 2023

Built a company from the ground up during Antler Venture's Founder in Residence program. This immersive experience accelerated my entrepreneurial journey and deepened my understanding of early-stage challenges and build a product prim zero to one.

Designer & Entrepreneur In Residence

2021 - 2023

• Embedded within the MVP team to improve internal workflows and build tools that enhanced productivity across the firm. • Designed and implemented custom internal platforms and dashboards using tools like Slack, Salesforce, Zapier, and Wealthblock. • Leveraged design thinking to streamline investment processes and improve team communication. • Advised late-stage portfolio companies on product, design systems, and user experience. • Spearheaded the development of user-friendly internal tools to simplify operations and increase team efficiency. • Helped foster a culture of innovation through hands-on design and low-code automation strategies.

Investor

2022 - 2022

Head of Design & Co-Founder

2020 - 2021

• Co-founded Better Bell, a “second brain” app using natural language to track habits, emotions, and thoughts. • Led product and design from idea to prototype—starting with food logging as the entry point. • Designed intuitive, human-centered interfaces for capturing and visualizing personal data. • Built the foundation for a graph-based knowledge system spanning health, fitness, mental health, and productivity. • Collaborated with engineers to integrate ML-driven insights and personalized recommendations. • Drove product strategy and vision with a focus on expanding to broader wellness categories.

Co-Founder & CEO

2019 - 2020

Highlights 🏁 Graduated from YCombinator SUS Program 🏆 Ranked top 15 out of 300 best tech startup companies on Pioneer accelerator program ⭐️ Grew organically with a>50% success rate through word of mouth by delighting users with an exceptional experience. 💵 We raised a pre-seed round from ex-YC Founders. • Co-founded Bankroll, a mobile app helping teens build smart spending habits through rewards and behavioral nudges. • Led product, design, and fundraising efforts—serving as both CEO and Chief Design Officer. • Designed intuitive mobile experiences that drove >50% organic growth via word-of-mouth. • Conducted user research and testing with teens and parents to refine features and improve retention. • Raised a pre-seed round from ex-YC founders and angel investors. • Graduated from Y Combinator SUS program and ranked Top 15 out of 300 startups in Pioneer Accelerator. • Built and led a small team across product and engineering to ship the MVP. • Oversaw hiring, investor relations, and GTM strategy.

Founder & CEO

2018 - 2020

(Gattaka Inc.) • Built and launched RecurPal, a SaaS platform for managing recurring subscriptions and expenses. • Led product design from 0 to 1—defining user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity UI. • Conducted user interviews and usability testing, reducing churn by 30% through key UX improvements. • Collaborated with engineering to ship the MVP in under 60 days. • Drove growth through iterative design and customer feedback loops. • Managed a small cross-functional team, wearing multiple hats across design, product, and ops.

Graduate & Moderator

2018 - 2018

Managing group #519 and graduate of YC Startup School.

Sr. Designer

2017 - 2018

• Led the redesign of Imgur’s logo and brand identity, driving a major visual refresh seen by 2.4B+ daily views. • Overhauled Imgur’s mobile and web apps, resulting in a 44% increase in user engagement and a 15% drop in bounce rates. • Created a cohesive icon system and UI library to improve navigation, consistency, and accessibility. • Conducted user research and testing to validate design decisions and refine the logo, app layout, and user flows. • Collaborated cross-functionally with PMs, engineers, and stakeholders to execute a smooth design rollout across platforms. • Balanced multiple high-impact projects under tight deadlines, delivering clean, scalable design work. • Stayed ahead of trends to ensure Imgur’s experience felt modern, playful, and in tune with its loyal community.