Y Combinator biotech founder builds an AI TikTok coach | Kathryn Cross | Software Slices

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In this episode, we sat down with Kathryn Cross, founder of Anja Health, a biotech startup that helps parents bank stem cells from cord blood, cord tissue, and the placenta for future medical use. Together we built a TikTok script prompter and hook-analysis tool to help Kathryn grow her profile, which has been Anja Health's main growth channel.

Along the way, Kathryn shares her founder journey, from building Anja Health to help her brother Andrew with cerebral palsy, to scaling via TikTok-driven acquisition, her experience applying twice to Y Combinator, insights on creator-led growth and mission-driven salary trade-offs, and inspiring stories of grit and scrappiness.

🌐 Connect with us
• Kathryn Cross:   / kathrynjc7  
• Anja Health: https://dub.sh/ZOgiN5E

• Aman:   / amanmathur_  
• Horacio:   / hl3rd_  
• Software Slices: https://softwareslices.com

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 – Intro: Meet Kathryn Cross, Anja Health Founder & TikTok Pioneer
1:00 – Origin Story: Launching Anja Health for Family Health Needs
4:00 – TikTok Strategy: Seven Videos a Day & Trend Analysis Methodology
6:00 – Prototype Demo: Personalized TikTok Feed & Script Prototyper UI
11:00 – Hook Analysis Deep Dive: Visual, Audio & Psychological Triggers
15:00 – Full-Video Analysis: Cut Frequency & Visual Contrast Insights
17:00 – Genre Remix Feature: Generating Niche-Tailored Hooks
19:00 – Founder-Led Growth: TikTok Acquisition & DM Feedback Loop
21:00 – YC Journey: Two Applications & Early Customer Milestones
24:00 – Mission-Driven Trade-Offs: Salary Differences & Purpose Alignment
27:00 – Grit & Scrappiness: Sephora Sample Hack & Immigrant Upbringing
30:00 – Crafting Provocative Hooks: Insightful & Surprising Content Tips
33:00 – AI Integrations: Powering the Tool with Replit AI & Wispr Flow
36:00 – Advice for Creators: Starting Strong in 2025
38:00 – Wrap-Up: Final Thoughts & What’s Next

🚀 Resources & Links
• Replit: https://dub.sh/jP5dXeo
• Wispr Flow: https://ref.wisprflow.ai/softwareslices

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