What led you to start your own company?

I realized the Internet gives an illusion that we’re all connected, yet does very little to facilitate human-to-human interaction. At the Pool was started to leverage technology to connect people offline. We now have members in 3,500 cities and 126 countries.

Where did you get the startup money?

Our initial investment was from an angel in Los Angeles, David Carter. David is a tremendous entrepreneur, investor and operator who helped us immensely in the early days. After gaining traction, we were able to raise a larger round from investors including Clearstone Venture Partners and Canyon Creek Capital.

What was the most important lesson you learned?

Focus. With a startup, there are many opportunities, many markets and many features. It can be tempting to jump at every opportunity, say yes when a bigger company asks for a

customized product, etc. It’s been extremely important and extremely humbling to learn to say no and to focus on our core competencies.

How many hours a day do you put in?

My day typically starts at 5 a.m. and rarely ends before

midnight. Weekends included.

Does your youth lead to awkward situations, such as when you supervise older workers?

Rarely. I find being a CEO in my 20s sets the expectation that I am an authority when it comes to technology. My age has been an advantage and often helps build trust and camaraderie.

Will you start another company?

I hope not. The goal is to build this business as big as we can. We have a long-term vision that will take years to realize and I’m excited about the prospect of building a world-changing

technology venture. That said, if for some reason this

company sells or goes under, I can’t imagine any career

outside of being a self-starter.

Could you ever work for someone else?

Unlikely. Prior to starting At the Pool, I worked for Fisker Automotive, an audacious

electric-car company, and it became fairly obvious I needed to work for myself. I would have to meet someone truly inspiring to work for, and even then I would rather work with instead of for that person.

What do you do to relax?

I love the outdoors. Early morning hikes, bike rides and trips help me clear my mind. Last summer, I picked up

skydiving as a new hobby and found it very calming, almost meditative. Work is all-consuming and certainly takes up a lot of my time, but keeping my body active and learning helps me stay on top of my game.

ALEX CAPECELATRO, 26

At the Pool, a social media

platform, Santa Monica

Employees: 6 (4 full time, 2 part time)

Financials: Prerevenue; raised $1 million from L.A. venture companies.