Fundraising Fox

Mason Landon Smith

Founder

Founder/CPO at Pave Robotics

San Francisco, California, United States

FoundedPave Robotics · YC

30 Under 30 2026 · Manufacturing & Industry

About

Mason Landon Smith was Head of Product at CrunchLabs, where he managed a team of product designers, and studied Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design. He is currently Chief Product Officer at Pave Robotics.

Founder/CPO at Pave RoboticsYC W25

Intro paths

YC

Mason went through Y Combinator (Winter 2025) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.

GP

Their group partner at YC was Jared Friedman, YC Group Partner — the partner who ran Pave Robotics's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗

→

In turn, Mason can intro founders to Pave Robotics's investors below.

Pave Robotics's investors · 3

Spacecadet VenturesKent County · $100K – $500K checksTranspose Platform ManagementHoustonY CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2025

Co-founders at Pave Robotics

JKJosh Kelly
Josh KellyFounder/CEO

Experience

  1. Pave Robotics (YC W25)CPO/Foundercurrent2024 — presentSan Jose, California, United States
  2. CrunchLabsHead of Product/Founding PD2021 — 2024Mountain View, California, United States
  3. KiwiCo, Inc.Product Designer2019 — 2021Mountain View, California, United States
  4. Rhode Island School of DesignHead Metal Shop Monitor2017 — 2019Providence, Rhode Island

Frequently asked questions

Who is Mason Landon Smith?
Mason Landon Smith was Head of Product at CrunchLabs, where he managed a team of product designers, and studied Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design. He is currently Chief Product Officer at Pave Robotics.
Where does Mason Landon Smith work?
Mason Landon Smith is Founder/CPO of Pave Robotics.
What companies did Mason Landon Smith found?
Mason Landon Smith founded Pave Robotics.
Where did Mason Landon Smith go to school?
Mason Landon Smith studied at Rhode Island School of Design (Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA, Industrial and Product Design); Y Combinator (W25).

Founder mafias

Y Combinator mafia8,773

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Sam AltmanPresidentFounded Tools for Humanity +3Jessica LivingstonCo-founderFounded Y CombinatorAlexis OhanianYC Summer 2005Founded RedditFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded Nudge +1Matt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded HotspotsTrae StephensYC Winter 2022Founded Pursuit +1

+ 8,766 more

Y Combinator mafia4,716

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Ryan SheaEntrepreneurshipFounded StacksTarek MansourFounded KalshiSuhail DoshiEating beans & riceFounded Playground +1Subomi OluwalanaW22Founded ConvoyDarius "Bubs" MonsefS19Founded Sightbox +3Matthew ScholzFounded Oisin Biotechnologies +3

+ 4,709 more

Rhode Island School of Design mafia10

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Brian CheskyBachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)Founded AirbnbJoe GebbiaBFAFounded AirbnbJohn XieFounded TaskadeEthan AndersonBachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)Founded FynnHarrison TelyanPre-College ProgramFounded FlowgladJeffrey LangeBachelor of Fine Arts - BFAFounded Scanbase

+ 3 more

Same school

Also attended Rhode Island School of Design20

Brian CheskyCo-founder & CEO of AirbnbJoe GebbiaCo-founder of AirbnbErica VanInvestment Director at Intel CapitalJoe FlahertyDirector, Content & Community at Founder CollectiveZoe AngellInvestor at Third Rock VenturesRebecca SilverDirector at NYU Innovation Venture Fund

+ 14 more

Also attended Y Combinator2,000

Tarek MansourCo-founder & CEO of KalshiSuhail DoshiFounder of Mixpanel; founder of ParticleSubomi OluwalanaCo-founder & CEO of ConvoyMaroof AhmedFounder at Octopus VenturesJustin SwartPartner at Bitkraft Esports VenturesCollin WallaceGeneral Partner at Lobby Capital

+ 1,994 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Pave Robotics (YC W25)1

Josh KellyFounder/CEO at Pave Robotics

Also worked at Rhode Island School of Design3

Joe GebbiaCo-founder of AirbnbHeather PhillipsAdvisor at Designer FundYelitsa Jean-CharlesExecutive Officer, Director at Healthy Roots Dolls