There’s something magical about the number 11. ✨

For some, 11:11 represents a moment of possibility — a reminder to make a wish, set an intention, or imagine what could be.

For us, 11 founders joining Square One Startup School’s 11th cohort feels like one of those moments. But these founders aren’t just wishing — they’re working.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Cohort 11, our Fall 2026 class of early-stage technology startups building new solutions across artificial intelligence, fintech, education, logistics, travel, automotive, consumer technology, and the future of work.

Over the next 10 weeks, they’ll put their ideas to the test through Square One’s flagship pre-accelerator program — validating customers, building products, developing go-to-market strategies, gaining traction, and preparing for future investments.

Without further ado, let’s meet the founders of Cohort 11.

Meet the 11 Founders in Square One’s 11th Cohort

(Left to Right)

  • Vern O’Cain — Autotelligence
    Autotelligence is an AI-powered automotive marketplace connecting in-market car shoppers with trusted sales professionals to make the car-buying experience simpler, smarter, and more personal.
  • Emmanuela Jean-Baptiste — Aidelly Corporation
    Aidelly helps marketing agencies manage social media across their client portfolios using AI — while keeping people in control of what gets published.
  • Andre Tulloch — PaceMatcher
    PaceMatcher helps runners and walkers find compatible people to move with based on pace, goals, and location.
  • Kristen Rillieux — Cadenced AI
    Cadenced offers AI-powered coaching tools that help instructional leaders observe, coach, and develop teachers to improve learning outcomes.
  • Kelechi Onyedebelu — ChatterFork
    ChatterFork is a food discovery platform that helps people find great food through recommendations from people they trust.
  • Michael Vaughn Stanley — HighStrat AI
    HighStrat is an AI-driven strategic intelligence platform that connects an organization’s live data pipelines directly to automated operational playbooks designed to identify and stop financial leakage.
  • Sierra Briant — GigAfloat
    GigAfloat is a fintech platform that gives gig workers early access to their earned income before platform payouts arrive.
  • Darren Black — Adina Finance Inc.
    Adina Finance is a fintech platform bridging e-commerce with automated debt reduction for consumers, guaranteed conversion for merchants, and predictive risk intelligence for financial institutions.
  • Manha Saleha — Pequod AI
    Pequod AI is an AI-powered international trade platform that brings compliance, logistics, documentation, and trade operations into one intelligent workflow.
  • Chaz Chapman — QarryOn
    QarryOn helps travelers make the most of their time in Atlanta by coordinating luggage pickup, storage, and delivery before check-in and after checkout.
  • Jayden Rice — Handled
    Handled helps home service businesses recover missed opportunities by automatically engaging customers through text and AI-powered communication.

Follow the Cohort 11 Journey

You don’t have to be in the cohort to be part of the journey.

Join the FREE Square One online learning community to connect with entrepreneurs, access startup resources and follow Cohort 11 as these founders spend the next 10 weeks turning ambitious ideas into real companies.

Meet them today. Follow what they build next.

Welcome to Square One, Cohort 11. Let’s build!