Rally | Mike Chen & Lena Zhang on Redefining Retail
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Spotlight | Mike Chen and Lena Zhang from Cohere Commerce
In the fall of 2023, Mike C. and Lena (Xixiao) Z. launched Cohere Commerce (Techstars ‘23) to empower independent retailers and foster a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable retail ecosystem. They provide retail buyers with verified retail insights, while helping CPG brands optimize partnerships and strengthen their market credibility. Mike and Lena previously participated in Techstars ‘23 and the Gold House Ventures Accelerator ‘24.
What inspired you to found Cohere?
Mike: I wanted to solve a problem I personally encountered as a retail buyer—I receive more than 50 vendor pitches every week, and I had a hard time finding credible, vetted information on these vendors and making more informed and data driven decisions more efficiently.
What makes Cohere unique?
Lena: Cohere Commerce is the first platform to make B2B commerce transparent through verified, real retail buyer reviews. We highlight retail buyers' opinions and transform them into actionable data insights. This unique approach allows retailers to make informed, data-driven decisions when sourcing brands, offering both credibility and efficiency in a way that hasn’t existed before.
How has your API identity impacted your career and/or startup journey? Why is partnering with Gold House Ventures important to you?
Lena: Being a female Asian founder has shaped my experience in many ways, both positive and challenging. Early in my career, I often had to prove my credibility more than my peers. There were moments where my technical and operational skills were questioned simply because I didn’t fit the typical mold of a startup founder.
But these experiences also gave me a stronger sense of purpose. I’ve learned to approach problem-solving with empathy and persistence. Instead of seeing those barriers as setbacks, I’ve used them to fuel a design philosophy rooted in understanding real user pain points, especially for underrepresented voices in the retail space. My API identity has also motivated me to ensure that our platform is built to create transparency and trust in the B2B retail world, offering a voice to smaller, diverse brands trying to break into the industry.
Gold House Ventures is particularly impactful because they are committed to breaking down barriers for underrepresented founders like myself. They provide more than just capital—they offer access to a network of mentors and peers who understand the unique challenges we face. Through Gold House, we’ve connected with other API founders and hired talent that might not have had access to traditional tech networks. This kind of support ensures that founders like me can build companies that are both successful and inclusive, helping to diversify the broader startup ecosystem.
Mike: Gold House’s mission to elevate API founders and businesses deeply resonated with us. We wanted to be part of a network that truly understands the unique challenges we face as Asian founders. They provide us not just with financial backing, but with a community that advocates for our growth and success.
What’s a small, step-change habit that has served you well, and you would recommend other founders to adopt?
Mike: One habit that’s made a big difference for me is taking 10 minutes at the end of each day to reflect and prioritize tasks for the next day. It sounds simple, but it keeps me focused on what truly matters and allows me to start each day with clarity. For founders juggling countless tasks, this daily habit ensures you’re always working on the highest-impact items and not getting lost in the noise.
Lena: One habit I’ve found useful is consistently documenting and reviewing processes, which includes making a daily task checklist and publishing weekly OKRs for myself and all team members. It sounds basic, but in the chaos of a startup, having clear processes in place helps everyone stay aligned and efficient. Whether it’s for product development, marketing, customer feedback, or operational tasks, documenting each step and tracking small progress keeps things streamlined and reduces decision fatigue.
What’s a fun fact about you other people may not expect?
Mike: Before diving into startups, I worked as a chef at high-end restaurants, including a 2-star Michelin spot, where I learned to be meticulous, thrive under pressure, and creatively solve problems. Later, I became the founding data scientist at Wynn Encore, analyzing complex, high-stakes gaming data, optimizing casino operations, and developing gambling strategies. These experiences sharpened my ability to innovate and make data-driven decisions—skills I now apply to my entrepreneurial journey.
Lena: Recently, I’ve become obsessed with woodworking and working on projects in my patio. I love working with my hands, repairing things around the house, and creating fun furniture pieces. It’s a relaxing, creative outlet that balances the mental intensity of startup life. I’ve also been picking up my piano skills again, finding moments to reconnect with music as a way to unwind.
Check out Cohere Commerce at coherecommerce.com to learn how we’re empowering retail buyers with verified data to make smarter sourcing decisions. If you're a retailer or a CPG brand, we’d love for you to join our community!
ICYMI: Gold House Ventures went to Singapore!
The Gold House Ventures team recently returned from a whirlwind week in Singapore celebrating our second annual Gold Prix. Gold Prix is Gold House’s annual convening of North America and APAC-based founders, funders, creative executives, and partners in Singapore to foster greater investment and distribution opportunities across the Pacific, in multi-year partnership with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) . Our activations included:
Check out an assortment of shareable photos from Gold Prix 2024 here and here. To learn more about Gold Bridge, check out goldhouse.org/goldbridge.
Upcoming Gold House Network Opportunities
October 9th in SF: “Creative Entrepreneurship and the Rise of Celebrity-Backed Funds”, Gold House Ventures, Mantis Ventures, and EMPIRE share the stage for SF Tech Week to discuss the rise and unique value-add of celebrity-backed venture funds. Did you know 👀 Gold House Ventures LPs include folks like musician Anderson .Paak, comedians Bowen Yang and Ronny Chieng, actor/producer Daniel Dae Kim, athlete Jeremy Lin, chef/TV host Padma Lakshmi, designer Prabal Gurung, and more? We’re excited to discuss how we and our peer funds have leveraged the power of celebrity to win and support top founders. RSVP here.
October 16th in LA: “Golden Hour with Gold House Ventures”, please join us for an evening of innovation and celebration for LA Tech Week at a beachfront wellness club where guests can sample diverse-owned beverages, foods and conscious experiences (including a meditation room). RSVP here.
Join our Gold House Futures Network – a curated community of the most promising next-gen API creatives, entrepreneurs, and social impact leaders! By being part of the network, founders receive:
Our recent survey found that 94% of founders were likely to recommend the Futures Network to other founders citing a supportive API community and expansive network. Apply to join our Futures Network here!
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