Today we’d like to introduce you to John Galinato and Wen Yu.
John, Wen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Imagine you’re a kid. Would you like to build a contraption that squirts water at evil doers who walk in your door? Or a robot who greets you at the door with a cool joke, a wet kiss, or a tasty candy? How about a cuckoo clock that plays a tune and puts a smile on your face when you wake up?
Build-It-Yourself is a playful, online environment designed for the artists and engineers on our team around the world to build and show off the craziest contraptions we can brainstorm.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Too much administration and not enough time playing in our sandbox!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Build-It-Yourself – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Build-It-Yourself offers an art and engineering program driven by technology-in-education research at MIT. Our mission is to inspire and guide the next generation of builders to use technology creatively and collaboratively.
We are especially proud of our partner in Mexico, Senorita Lula Garcia, who is growing our business south of the border.
Most recently we are focused on Wen Yu’s plan to bring Build-It-Yourself to China. Recently we went on a 4-week tour of 5 cities in China with a group of MIT startup companies. China is the new land of opportunity. Next month we are planning to return to close several deals.
Wen Yu
MFA – San Francisco Academy of Arts
MS Arts Administration – Boston University
Hobbies: See the world/universe, fine art, keep fit
Heroes: Mom & Dad, Steven Hawking, Matthew Barney, art history professor
Favorite cities: Reykjavik, Berlin, Suzhou
wen@build-it-yourself.com
John Gainato
BEE and MEE – Cornell
Hobbies: building, sketching and strumming the guitar
Heroes: Ali, Don Quixote, Popeye
Favorite Quote: “You can’t win if you don’t bet.”
john@build-it-yourself.com
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are in the process of raising a new round of funding to bring Build-It-Yourself to a global market.
1. We want to build a product that makes us proud and passionate.
2. We want to work with talented colleagues who inspire us.
3. We want to make a ton of money!
Contact Info:
- Address: 269 Pearl St
Cambridge, MA 02139 - Website: http://build-it-yourself.com/
- Phone: 617-875-1960
- Email: john@build-it-yourself.com
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/BIYSupport
Image Credit:
Build-It-Yourself
