Why us // The partners

The people behind the systems.

When you work with ColdStart, you work with us directly. No handoff to a junior bench.

We build inside your tools, train your team to run it, then step back.

01 // How we work

A few things we won't compromise on.

The same four rules on every engagement, whatever the size of the build.

01

We build it. You own it.

Everything runs in your accounts, on your infrastructure. No platform to rent, no lock-in.

02

We train you to not need us.

Your team learns to run and change the system. The goal is a clean handover, not a permanent seat.

03

We go where the busywork is.

Private equity, SaaS, finance, community businesses. If the work is repetitive, it's a fit.

04

People stay in control.

AI drafts, researches and sorts. A human reviews and decides. That's governance built in, not bolted on.

02 // By the numbers

Small team. Real results.

A few numbers from the work so far.

30+

teams we've built for, from PE advisors to AI startups

20+

hours a week handed back to one client's deal team

2

US patents in machine-learning intent matching on the team

03 // The people

Meet the team. Small by design.

The people who scope it, build it and train your team are the same people.

Illustrated portrait of John Freund

John Freund

Founder

Founder and early adopter of AI. PE, fintech & GTM background. Previously at Balfour Investors and Warbler Labs (YC-backed). UPenn & MBA from USC.

Illustrated portrait of Victor Vong

Victor Vong

Head of Automation & Governance

Formerly at Datadog. Co-inventor on two 2025 US patents for machine-learning intent matching. Previously at Solvvy (acquired by Zoom). UC Berkeley.

Illustrated portrait of Maryna Kisha

Maryna Kisha

AI Operations Specialist

Marketer turned AI builder, with 3+ years of hands-on work across 10+ industries, from beauty and e-commerce to consulting and energy. Kyiv National Economics University.

Want to work with us?

Tell us what you're working on. We'll figure out where AI can help.