Embark Trucks' Application Video for YC W16 | Summary and Q&A

June 28, 2025
by
Y Combinator
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Embark Trucks' Application Video for YC W16

TL;DR

Meet the team behind Varden Labs, who are passionate about transforming transportation through innovative software, mechanical design, and electrical engineering.

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Key Insights

  • 🚀 Alex has been programming since he was 13 years old and was ranked as one of the top 20 programmers in Canada in high school.
  • 🤖 Brandon has experience in programming robots to interact with their environment, demonstrating expertise in artificial intelligence.
  • 🔌 Mike specializes in mechanical work and has built his own fully custom 3D printer and electric scooter.
  • 🎓 The team met in their mechatronics engineering class at the University of Waterloo and has been living and working together for the past two years.
  • 🏢 Varden Labs is their favorite project so far, and they are enthusiastic about how it will transform the future of transportation.
  • 💡 The team has experience and confidence working at startups with aggressive development goals.
  • 💻 Alex has interned at Khan Academy, gaining industry experience in software engineering.
  • ⚡ Brandon has previously worked at an artificial intelligence company, showcasing his expertise in software and electrical engineering.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is Varden Labs focused on?

Varden Labs is focused on transforming the future of transportation through their innovative projects and expertise in software, mechanical, and electrical engineering.

Q: What are the backgrounds of the team members at Varden Labs?

Alex has been coding since a young age and was ranked one of the top 20 programmers in Canada in high school, while Brandon has experience with aggressive development in AI companies, and Mike has a background in mechanical engineering and has built his own custom 3D printer and electric scooter.

Q: How did the team members at Varden Labs come together?

The team members all met while studying mechatronics engineering at the University of Waterloo and have since lived together and collaborated on various projects, with their current transportation-focused project being their favorite.

Q: What makes Varden Labs' project unique?

Varden Labs' project aims to transform transportation through a combination of innovative software, mechanical design, and electrical engineering, offering a holistic approach to revolutionizing the industry.

Q: What is the vision of Varden Labs?

Varden Labs is excited to see how their project will transform the future of transportation, showcasing their passion for creating innovative solutions in the field.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • Alex, Brandon, and Mike are the trio behind Varden Labs, a startup focused on revolutionizing transportation.

  • Alex specializes in software engineering, while Brandon is skilled in software and electrical engineering, and Mike is experienced in mechanical engineering.

  • The team has a strong background in their respective fields and is excited about their latest project that aims to transform the future of transportation.

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