Chrys Bader-Wechseler
Chrys Bader-Wechseler is a prominent entrepreneur and product manager known for his significant contributions to the tech industry. He has co-founded several successful startups and has held key positions at major companies like Google and YouTube.
Early Life and Education
Chrys Bader-Wechseler was born and raised near Boston. He is an alumnus of Y Combinator, a renowned startup accelerator that has supported numerous successful tech companies.
Career
Google and YouTube
Before venturing into the startup world, Bader-Wechseler worked as a Product Manager at Google. During his tenure, he launched the photo-sharing community Photovine and contributed to the development of Google+ and YouTube.
Fliggo, TwitVid, and Vidly
Bader-Wechseler has built and launched several mobile social products, including Fliggo, TwitVid, and Vidly. These platforms focused on video sharing and social interaction, gaining significant user bases during their operational periods.
Secret
In 2013, Bader-Wechseler co-founded Secret with fellow Googler David Byttow. Secret was an anonymous social networking app that allowed users to share messages and secrets without revealing their identities. The app quickly gained popularity, raising $35 million and amassing 15 million users. However, it also faced challenges, including issues related to cyberbullying. Bader-Wechseler eventually stepped down from his role, citing a shift in the app's focus away from design and curation.
Ikaria
Following his departure from Secret, Bader-Wechseler co-founded Ikaria with Sean Dadashi. Named after the Greek island known for its close-knit community and longevity, Ikaria aims to foster open and meaningful dialogue among users. The startup received a $1.5 million seed round led by Initialized Capital and Fuel Capital.
Curio
Bader-Wechseler is also a co-founder of Curio, a financial software company. His diverse portfolio of startups showcases his ability to innovate across various domains, from social networking to financial technology.
Philosophy and Impact
Bader-Wechseler is known for his keen eye for design and deep understanding of user interaction with web applications. His work emphasizes the importance of creating platforms that facilitate genuine human connection and open dialogue. Despite the challenges faced by some of his ventures, Bader-Wechseler's contributions have left a lasting impact on the tech industry.