2023 Fellows
Timothy Daniel, FTMBA 2024
After several years as a lawyer in the mining and energy sectors, I moved from Indonesia to attend the MBA program at Berkeley with aspirations to start my entrepreneurship journey and build a meaningful company. The Hansoo Lee Fellowship has been instrumental in turning this vision into reality, providing me with both the opportunity and the support needed to dive into entrepreneurship during the summer. Inspired by Hansoo's example, I believe it's entirely possible to launch a startup that significantly impacts many lives, beginning in business school. Thanks to the Hansoo Lee Fellowship and those committed to honoring his memory, I’m committed to continuing to build my startup and constantly looking for new ways to contribute positively to the world.
After several years as a lawyer in the mining and energy sectors, I moved from Indonesia to attend the MBA program at Berkeley with aspirations to start my entrepreneurship journey and build a meaningful company. The Hansoo Lee Fellowship has been instrumental in turning this vision into reality, providing me with both the opportunity and the support needed to dive into entrepreneurship during the summer. Inspired by Hansoo's example, I believe it's entirely possible to launch a startup that significantly impacts many lives, beginning in business school. Thanks to the Hansoo Lee Fellowship and those committed to honoring his memory, I’m committed to continuing to build my startup and constantly looking for new ways to contribute positively to the world.
Raj Kalluri, EWMBA 2024
Hansoo Lee’s story inspires me every day. His words about the power of a well-operated, sophisticated organization resonate the most with me. There are many challenges facing humanity today and no one, however talented, can single-handedly tackle any of these challenges. Hansoo understood the power of working together and going beyond oneself very early in his life. I am immensely thankful and proud to be a recipient of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship. I hope to emulate him and build a well-operated climate-tech company that delivers substantial solutions to the global warming problem. Thanks to the excellent entrepreneurial ecosystem at Haas and the generosity of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship, I was able to develop our prototype and launch my entrepreneurial journey.
Hansoo Lee’s story inspires me every day. His words about the power of a well-operated, sophisticated organization resonate the most with me. There are many challenges facing humanity today and no one, however talented, can single-handedly tackle any of these challenges. Hansoo understood the power of working together and going beyond oneself very early in his life. I am immensely thankful and proud to be a recipient of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship. I hope to emulate him and build a well-operated climate-tech company that delivers substantial solutions to the global warming problem. Thanks to the excellent entrepreneurial ecosystem at Haas and the generosity of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship, I was able to develop our prototype and launch my entrepreneurial journey.
2022 Fellows
Ellyn Quigg, EWMBA 2024
After working for several startups and co-founding an organization, I came to business school to pursue my own entrepreneurial dreams and sharpen my skills into the ability to start and grow my own company. It is only with the support of the amazing Haas community, and opportunities like the Hansoo Lee fellowship, that any of this can be possible for me. Hansoo’s story inspires me and reminds me how short life is. With the support of the Hansoo Lee fellowship and those dedicated to keeping his memory alive, I am making the most of today, pursuing my curiosities and ideas, and seeking new ways to add value to the world.
After working for several startups and co-founding an organization, I came to business school to pursue my own entrepreneurial dreams and sharpen my skills into the ability to start and grow my own company. It is only with the support of the amazing Haas community, and opportunities like the Hansoo Lee fellowship, that any of this can be possible for me. Hansoo’s story inspires me and reminds me how short life is. With the support of the Hansoo Lee fellowship and those dedicated to keeping his memory alive, I am making the most of today, pursuing my curiosities and ideas, and seeking new ways to add value to the world.
Hitesh Kenjale, FTMBA 2023
I admire what Hansoo Lee has done for the Entrepreneurship ecosystem at Haas. His path has inspired many students and will continue to do so in the future. Entrepreneurship was something that got me to Haas in the first place. I spent my first year working on my idea and wanted to launch our first Kickstarter campaign during the summer. The Hansoo Lee fellowship gave me the comfort to take that plunge during the summers, and the idea successfully raised four times the anticipated funding on Kickstarter.
I admire what Hansoo Lee has done for the Entrepreneurship ecosystem at Haas. His path has inspired many students and will continue to do so in the future. Entrepreneurship was something that got me to Haas in the first place. I spent my first year working on my idea and wanted to launch our first Kickstarter campaign during the summer. The Hansoo Lee fellowship gave me the comfort to take that plunge during the summers, and the idea successfully raised four times the anticipated funding on Kickstarter.
2021 Fellows
London Swift, FTMBA 2022
The startups we conceptualize and fund shape our lives and are a reflection of our values as a society. As a queer, latinx woman, I see entrepreneurship as a way to build a more just world. Women, people of color, and queer entrepreneurs still face barriers when it comes to securing funding and institutional support in the startup ecosystem. Receiving the 2021 Hansoo Lee Fellowship is such an honor for me because Hansoo set an incredible example of what it means to be a founder and to give back to your community for all of us at Berkeley Haas. It means so much to have the support of the Fellowship as I pursue my own entrepreneurial journey and strive to empower other student founders to make their visions a reality.
The startups we conceptualize and fund shape our lives and are a reflection of our values as a society. As a queer, latinx woman, I see entrepreneurship as a way to build a more just world. Women, people of color, and queer entrepreneurs still face barriers when it comes to securing funding and institutional support in the startup ecosystem. Receiving the 2021 Hansoo Lee Fellowship is such an honor for me because Hansoo set an incredible example of what it means to be a founder and to give back to your community for all of us at Berkeley Haas. It means so much to have the support of the Fellowship as I pursue my own entrepreneurial journey and strive to empower other student founders to make their visions a reality.
Danqing Zhou, EWMBA 2022
I am so honored to be a Hansoo Lee fellow. The fellowship has boosted our confidence to continue the entrepreneurship journey and follow our heart and vision for Beecoming. Hansoo’s spirit and his decision to consciously live a life of action will be the North Star for us to follow. We will take this with us: strive for growing education equity for all and pay it forward.
I am so honored to be a Hansoo Lee fellow. The fellowship has boosted our confidence to continue the entrepreneurship journey and follow our heart and vision for Beecoming. Hansoo’s spirit and his decision to consciously live a life of action will be the North Star for us to follow. We will take this with us: strive for growing education equity for all and pay it forward.
2020 Fellows
Joe Choi, FTMBA 2020
Having come from the military, leading small teams in accomplishing a common mission was something I came to love being a part of; and I think that is what naturally drew me towards entrepreneurship. No person is an island, and our team's shared progress could not have been done without the support of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to be selected as a Fellow, and will continue to uphold the proud legacy of passion and selflessness that Hansoo embodied! Go Bears!
Having come from the military, leading small teams in accomplishing a common mission was something I came to love being a part of; and I think that is what naturally drew me towards entrepreneurship. No person is an island, and our team's shared progress could not have been done without the support of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to be selected as a Fellow, and will continue to uphold the proud legacy of passion and selflessness that Hansoo embodied! Go Bears!
Manny Smith, FTMBA 2021
As a first-generation college student, I had an aspiration to build a company focused on using technology to advance human equity. Building a startup while in business school has been one of the most gratifying and challenging experiences of my life. While entrepreneurship is one of the toughest journeys at Haas, it is also among the most rewarding. I am blessed and fortunate for the support of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship Network and Berkeley entrepreneurship ecosystem for believing in me. The Hansoo Lee Fellowship has been pivotal in providing the resources and support to develop the first version of EdVisorly, a software developed to help under resourced students transfer from community college to 4-year universities.
As a first-generation college student, I had an aspiration to build a company focused on using technology to advance human equity. Building a startup while in business school has been one of the most gratifying and challenging experiences of my life. While entrepreneurship is one of the toughest journeys at Haas, it is also among the most rewarding. I am blessed and fortunate for the support of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship Network and Berkeley entrepreneurship ecosystem for believing in me. The Hansoo Lee Fellowship has been pivotal in providing the resources and support to develop the first version of EdVisorly, a software developed to help under resourced students transfer from community college to 4-year universities.
2019 Fellows
Andrew Blute, FTMBA 2020
I have been pursuing my dream of building a company since coming to business school with no prior experience in entrepreneurship. Although it has been a difficult road, I have learned a lot of lessons along the way. The first, and most important, thing I learned in my first year is that nobody can do it alone. I am fortunate to have the support of the Berkeley Haas community and the amazing people behind the Hansoo Lee Fellowship. This summer, I look forward to growing the business, making mistakes and learning from them to build new entrepreneurial skills.
I have been pursuing my dream of building a company since coming to business school with no prior experience in entrepreneurship. Although it has been a difficult road, I have learned a lot of lessons along the way. The first, and most important, thing I learned in my first year is that nobody can do it alone. I am fortunate to have the support of the Berkeley Haas community and the amazing people behind the Hansoo Lee Fellowship. This summer, I look forward to growing the business, making mistakes and learning from them to build new entrepreneurial skills.
Tushar Misra, FTMBA 2020
I came to Haas with the sole aim of starting a disruptive company in the mobility space. I was incredibly lucky to meet Jorge and Sid (my co-founders and classmates) who shared a similar passion for entrepreneurship while being in school. I’m very proud of what we have been able to achieve while managing our classes and hopping between two countries for the last semester. We’re excited about pursuing our passion during summer and are grateful for the support from the Hansoo Lee Fellowship. We look forward to working hard to live up to Hansoo’s legacy and also strengthening the esteem network of Hansoo Lee Fellows.
I came to Haas with the sole aim of starting a disruptive company in the mobility space. I was incredibly lucky to meet Jorge and Sid (my co-founders and classmates) who shared a similar passion for entrepreneurship while being in school. I’m very proud of what we have been able to achieve while managing our classes and hopping between two countries for the last semester. We’re excited about pursuing our passion during summer and are grateful for the support from the Hansoo Lee Fellowship. We look forward to working hard to live up to Hansoo’s legacy and also strengthening the esteem network of Hansoo Lee Fellows.
Samantha Tannor, FTMBA 2020
Coming to business school, I was certain that I wanted to focus on building a business. With my background in the food and beverage industry prior to Haas, I was passionate about creating healthier beverage products that would enhance people's lives. Over the course of my first year in business school, my business, Tannor's Tea, began to take shape and I experienced a few major pivots as well. Upon hearing the news that I had been granted the Hansoo Lee fellowship, I was thrilled to have this opportunity to devote my full attention to building the company over the summer.
Coming to business school, I was certain that I wanted to focus on building a business. With my background in the food and beverage industry prior to Haas, I was passionate about creating healthier beverage products that would enhance people's lives. Over the course of my first year in business school, my business, Tannor's Tea, began to take shape and I experienced a few major pivots as well. Upon hearing the news that I had been granted the Hansoo Lee fellowship, I was thrilled to have this opportunity to devote my full attention to building the company over the summer.
2018 Fellows
Jordan Sale, FTMBA 2019
I came back to school to start a business very much following the “if not now, then when” way of thinking--feeling as if I’m at a rare intersection of my life when it *almost* seems rational to take the plunge. My co-founders (Cori Land and Dean Guo) and I are incredibly excited about what's ahead for us this summer and look forward to working hard to live up to Hansoo's indelible legacy. We feel incredibly lucky to have the support of the Fellowship as well as the broader Berkeley-Haas Entrepreneurship Program as we embark on this adventure.
I came back to school to start a business very much following the “if not now, then when” way of thinking--feeling as if I’m at a rare intersection of my life when it *almost* seems rational to take the plunge. My co-founders (Cori Land and Dean Guo) and I are incredibly excited about what's ahead for us this summer and look forward to working hard to live up to Hansoo's indelible legacy. We feel incredibly lucky to have the support of the Fellowship as well as the broader Berkeley-Haas Entrepreneurship Program as we embark on this adventure.
Karen Taylor, Executive MBA 2019
Pursuing an entrepreneurial path has been one of the most exciting, yet challenging decisions I've made to date. The Haas community has been instrumental to shaping the company, and I'm excited to have the Hansoo Lee Fellowship supporting my continued growth.
Pursuing an entrepreneurial path has been one of the most exciting, yet challenging decisions I've made to date. The Haas community has been instrumental to shaping the company, and I'm excited to have the Hansoo Lee Fellowship supporting my continued growth.
2017 Fellows
Sarrah Nomanbhoy, FTMBA 2018
I came to Haas with an ambition to build a company that develops technology and data-driven solutions to help address emerging migration challenges. With the support of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship, I am able to focus full-time this summer on advancing that goal. In addition to the funding and office space, it's great to know that I'm going into this summer with the feedback and support of the amazing people behind this fellowship. |
Leon Rodriguez, FTMBA 2018
For me, entrepreneurship is a way to pursue my dreams by creating, nurturing and leading projects to success. The Hansoo Lee Fellowship will support by my entrepreneur endeavors to make healthcare more accessible to the entire population. |
2016 Fellows
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Nic Borensztein, FTMBA 2017
I have been hooked on startups ever since I built and sold my first company after college. I came to Haas and immediately got involved in the community of entrepreneurs at Haas. Along with my co-founders, we founded CrowdAI, a platform for people to complete micro-tasks through their phone, such as audio transcription, image tagging, and text recognition. Having bootstrapped my last company for over two years, I really appreciate the difference the Hansoo Lee Fellowship makes. |
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Patrick Castles, Executive MBA 2018
I've been pursuing a career as an entrepreneur ever since I graduated from college. I'm captivated by the creative process of coming up with an idea for something new and different; shepherding that idea through the development process and seeing it ultimately reach the market and be of value to consumers. Surfing Donkey is a well-positioned brand within the emerging craft distilled spirits market and will be launching this summer. I couldn't be happier being back at Berkeley furthering my education at the Haas School of Business, and I am honored to be a recipient of the Hansoo Lee Fellowship. |
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2015 Fellows
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Andrew Hill, FTMBA 2016
Since I was young, I have been fascinated with computers and the seemingly unlimited access to information online. I grew up learning about entrepreneurship from my father and attending local civic organization meetings. As a result, several childhood experiences filled me with a desire to forge my own path by building technology products that improve lives. The fellowship was instrumental in enabling me to work on LiftED full-time over the summer as we make a substantial impact on the lives of students who are otherwise at a disadvantage as compared to their general education peers. |
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Megan Mokri, Executive MBA 2016
Entrepreneurship has allowed me to build a business, a team, and a product that is making a positive impact in the world while also creating financial value. My entrepreneurial journey has been riddled with ups and downs, plenty of personal growth, and a level of excitement for the future I've never before experienced. The fellowship went a long way in allowing me to pursue Byte full time while finishing up my last year in the evening and weekend program. |
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2014 Fellows
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Johannes Koeppel, FTMBA 2015When I arrived in Berkeley, I was determined to start a tech-travel company. Thanks to the Hansoo Lee Fellowship, I was able to pursue that dream last summer. Wetravel has since come a long way. Our platform has been used to organize tours worth more than $500k and we have grown our team to three dedicated full-time co-founders.
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Alastair Trueger, FTMBA 2015
The fellowship helped me work on my startup over the summer, hire our first team member, and get the most out of 500 startups. I learned a ton from my startup and am excited to start my next company. |
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2013 Fellows
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Charlie Hughes, FTMBA 2014Entrepreneurship is about creating and growing something new while taking calculated risks. I've always been passionate about creating-- music, art, and business. Thanks to the Hansoo Lee Fellowship, Romi Elan and I took a calculated risk to forego the traditional MBA internship and pursue our venture. Though we've since stopped working on Goalzy, the experience grew my passion for entrepreneurship ten-fold.
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