A Personal Note from Allen

Hey there! I'm Allen. I grew up in San Francisco and, except for my undergraduate years, have spent my entire life in the Bay Area After earning my degree in Human Development and Psychology at UC Davis, I started my tech career as a Tech Specialist, which allowed me to utilize my degree and my passion for technology to teach, train and also market software to a wide range of consumers. I then transitioned to big tech by spending three years as an analyst working on the Search product at Facebook.

Eventually, I realized I wanted to build software myself, so I went through the rigorous App Academy program. That experience didn't just teach me how to build full stack applications from the ground up, it also taught me how to learn new things quickly, how to collaborate effectively with others, and how to build resilience and achieve ambitious goals. That foundation allowed me to tackle big technical challenges and lead engineering teams at Expedia Group. Today, I’m deepening my technical expertise by pursuing a Master of Science in AI Engineering at the Quantic School of Business and Technology.

I built the Young Founders Fellowship for three reasons. First, we are living through the AI revolution; tools like ChatGPT are really just scratching the surface. There has never been a more exciting time to master the latest technologies and turn ideas into reality. Second, there is a big gap between what schools teach and what Silicon Valley actually expects. I help high schoolers bridge that gap by teaching them the professional tools that standard classrooms often miss. And most importantly, I am deeply passionate about mentorship. My career journey has equipped me with the unique perspective to support students not just as an engineer, but as a mentor who understands the transition from curious beginner to confident builder.

As a father of two, I am deeply invested in the future of the next generation. I didn’t want to build a crowded classroom; I wanted to create an environment of focus and high productivity. By blending my engineering experience with my background in human development, I’ve designed a program that focuses on the whole student. It’s not just about mastering modern tech stacks—it’s about helping your student become capable, resilient, and ready to tackle real-world challenges.

My cohorts are intentionally capped at 12 students to ensure I can provide the 1-on-1 mentorship that gives each fellow a distinct competitive edge for their college and career goals. If you are a student who is curious, driven, and ready to turn ideas into reality, I’d love to read your application. Let’s start building.