Mentors

Hacker Fund mentors are industry leaders and innovators from 150+ top-tier companies like Apple, Google, Tesla, SpaceX, and more. They are experts in AI, software engineering, gaming, hardware design, and advanced technologies, as well as seasoned entrepreneurs who have launched successful startups and pioneered groundbreaking solutions. Combining technical mastery with creative vision, these mentors bring real-world expertise and a passion for teaching, empowering students with hands-on guidance, practical knowledge, and the inspiration to innovate boldly and succeed in today’s tech-driven world.

Mike Telcide, CBCP

U.S. Space Force

Dep. Branch Chief

Mike Telcide is the founder and CEO of TisBooked, a social travel platform designed for solo adventurers seeking connection, spontaneity, and curated experiences. Before launching TisBooked, Mike co-founded and led the first-ever International Space Pitch Day (ISPD) in 2020—a groundbreaking collaboration between the U.S. Space Force and the UK Ministry of Defence. ISPD connects cutting-edge startups with real-world space challenges, accelerating their path from concept to operational impact through funding, feedback, and direct access to defense decision-makers. Mike’s passion for innovation and emerging technology runs deep. While serving as a U.S. Space Force Officer, he managed multiple space accelerator programs and international partnerships, helping align global capabilities with user-driven needs. His work focused on shrinking acquisition timelines and transitioning startup technologies into national defense applications.

Gemma Busoni

Forbes Under 30

Board Member

Gemma Busoni cofounded Discovr Labs, a VR content studio with an emphasis on educational and vocational experiences that was named one of the Top 10 VR companies by LAUNCH (also featured in TechCrunch). Discovr Labs was funded by Rothenberg Ventures, and we were part of RIVER's, the first VR accelerator, first class. Gemma previously served on the Hacker Fund Board of Directors and prior to that, founded a nonprofit that merged into Hack Club, an international network of coding clubs that empower students with technology skills. Currently, she spearheads the development of youth entrepreneurship through the company LeanGap, an immersive incubator that prepares young entrepreneurs to develop scalable companies. Gemma serves as the Board Member of the Forbes Under 30 LA Chapter where she supports entrepreneurs in Los Angeles and she actively advocates for Latina women to pursue careers in S.T.E.M. through her initiative Technolochicas.

Tatiana EL-Khouri

Road to Artdom Foundation

Executive Director

Tatiana EL-Khouri is an Artist/ Visual Storyteller and Product Manager who has worked in the entertainment industry and YouTube community as an Experiential Event and Integrated Marketing professional creating business development pitches, ideation, and marketing strategies for large brands. Among her clients and projects are Machinima, Snapchat, AT&T, Black Entertainment Television (BET), Air Force Art Program/ Pentagon, NAACP, Urban Ministries, Inc (UMI), ComicMix.com, and Ford. As a product manager, she has worked closely with 3Blackdot and their debut mobile game app, Zombie Killer Squad. With over 3 million downloads, the game takes a new approach to IP development and audience growth, by partnering with large YouTube talents to drive creative and promotion. She has also worked closely with tech startups to translate their concepts in to a working app or software in a rapid lean agile build.

What are hackathons?

01

Meet friends

02

Ideate

03

Learn

04

Build

05

Demo

Mentors

Mike Telcide, CBCP

Gemma Busoni

Tatiana EL-Khouri