Zeynep Ilgaz
Angel Investor | Founder | Yale Entrepreneur in Residence | Board Member
SDSU
Website Links
Bio
I’m passionate about working with entrepreneurs and founders like you to navigate the challenges of building, scaling, and funding successful businesses. With years of experience across startups, brand building, and growth strategies, I’ve honed practical insights to help you move faster, avoid common pitfalls, and focus on what matters most.
As Co-Founder of Confirm B, I helped build a multi-brand consumer diagnostics company with retail distribution in over 20,000 stores, including CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. Through strategic fundraising and operational execution, we scaled rapidly and achieved a nine-figure acquisition four years ago.
Currently, I’m a General Partner at Cross Ocean Ventures, where I invest in innovative technology companies and work alongside founders to help them secure funding, refine their strategies, and unlock growth opportunities. I also serve as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence with Yale Ventures and as a lead mentor for Berkeley SkyDeck and Techstars, supporting early-stage startups with fundraising, investor relations, and sustainable scaling strategies.
✨How I Can Help You
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your business to the next level, I can provide guidance and support across key areas:
✔️Developing strategies to launch and scale your startup
✔️ Crafting compelling fundraising pitches and engaging with investors
✔️ Designing effective GTM strategies to attract and retain customers
✔️ Optimizing operations to maximize growth and revenue
✔️ Building strong teams through organizational structure and hiring strategies
✔️ Creating a clear path to profitability and financial stability
✔️ Navigating mergers, acquisitions, and exit planning
✔️ Overcoming personal challenges and building resilience as a founder
✔️ Exploring leadership development and career transitions
✔️ Connecting you with the right partners, networks, and resources
✔️ Conducting market research and analyzing competition to identify opportunities
✨Awards and Recognitions
- San Diego Women of Distinction
- Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company Honor Roll
- San Diego Most Admired CEO
- Inc. Best Places to Work For
- San Diego Best Places to Work For (3 consecutive years)
🚀 I believe that every founder has a unique story and journey. My goal is to meet you where you are, provide actionable insights, and help you turn your vision into reality without unnecessary stress or wasted time. Let’s focus on what’s next and make it happen.
🎗️All proceeds of our bookings goes to charity
Book 1:1 Video Call :https://intro.co/ZeynepIlgaz?source=intro