GitLab CEO Sid Sijbrandij, 16 months cancer-free, launches 15 biotech startups in 18 months

juanbenet · x · 2026-09-09

GitLab CEO Sid Sijbrandij shares he is now 16 months cancer-free, crediting two "cofounders" in his founder-mode fight against cancer: Shasqi founder Jose M. Mejia Oneto (his YC W15 batchmate) and Jacob Stern, who left biotech to become "CEO of his health."

Sid was diagnosed with rare spinal osteosarcoma in November 2022; after surgery, chemo and radiation, the cancer returned in 2024 and doctors ran out of options. He responded like a founder: assembling a team, chasing every diagnostic, and running individualized treatments in parallel.

Inspired by that playbook, the trio has launched 15 companies in the past 18 months under Even One Ventures, aiming to make cutting-edge scientific advances rapidly accessible to patients.

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