Centaur Lab
半人马实验室 · ケンタウルスラボ · सेंटौर लैब · سنتور لاب · מעבדת קנטאור
Crafting the Next Generation of
Transformative AI Ventures
FAQ
If you're a non-technical founder with a visionary AI startup idea, you're not alone in feeling paralyzed by the search for technical talent. This FAQ answers the most common questions we hear from domain experts and industry veterans who know their market inside-out but face what we call "Technical Dependency Terror."
This FAQ answers the most common questions we hear from domain experts and industry veterans who know their market inside-out but face what we call "Technical Dependency Terror."
Are there venture studios specifically for non-technical founders in NYC?
Yes. Centaur Lab is a New York-based AI venture studio built specifically to serve non-technical founders. We position ourselves as "the technical co-founder you can't find," addressing the exact gap that seasoned, domain-expert founders face when they have transformative AI ideas but lack technical execution capability. Unlike traditional venture studios that require founders to already have technical teams in place, Centaur Lab partners with you as your virtual tech co-founder. We handle the entire technical build while educating you throughout the process, so you gain the technical literacy to lead your company confidently. Our studio has launched over 20 AI ventures across education, wellness, social, creative, and productivity sectors. Every project is grounded in human-centric AI that augments human potential rather than replacing it.
Do I need to already have a technical co-founder to work with a venture studio?
No, absolutely not. That's the entire point of Centaur Lab's model. Traditional venture studios and accelerators often expect you to arrive with a technical co-founder already in place. But if you're a non-technical founder, finding that person is precisely your biggest obstacle. You've probably experienced the frustration of searching for months, vetting candidates who ghost you, or considering giving away 30-50% equity to someone you barely know. According to Viki Han, Managing Partner at Centaur Lab: "We see brilliant domain experts, people who've spent 15 years mastering their industry, completely paralyzed because they can't find technical talent they trust. We built Centaur Lab to eliminate that barrier entirely." We become your technical partner, handling architecture, AI development, product design, and engineering execution. You bring the vision and domain expertise. We bring the technical firepower.
What if I don't have a fully formed startup idea yet?
You don't need a polished pitch deck or a fully baked business plan. We work with founders at different stages of idea maturity. Some partners come to us with a specific pain point they've observed in their industry and a hypothesis about how AI could solve it. Others have a more general vision but need strategic guidance on what's technically feasible and where the real opportunity lies. Our collaborative process includes: - Validating your idea's technical feasibility - Identifying the highest-impact MVP to build first - Defining what success looks like in measurable terms - Crafting a go-to-market strategy that aligns with your domain expertise We've built ventures across wildly different industries, from Yeego (a social AI networking platform) to Curiosity Lab (gamified AI-powered education), so we bring pattern recognition from 20+ projects to help sharpen your concept quickly.
How does compensation work? Will I get paid while building my startup?
Centaur Lab operates on a cash-equity partnership model, not a traditional vendor relationship. This structure is designed to de-risk your financial investment while aligning our incentives completely. Here's what that means in practice: - You don't pay the $150,000+ upfront fees that predatory development agencies demand - You don't give away controlling equity stakes - We share both risk and reward through a hybrid structure - Our success is directly tied to your venture's success Because we're true partners, not contractors billing hourly, we're invested in building something that actually works in the market, not just checking off feature requests. For specific details about equity arrangements and partnership terms, the best approach is to schedule a consultation. Every founder's situation is unique, and we tailor our structure accordingly. Contact us at shane@centaurlab.ai.
Do I need to live in New York City to work with Centaur Lab?
No. While Centaur Lab is headquartered in New York City, we work with founders regardless of location. Our model as a "virtual tech co-founder" means we're built for collaboration across geographies. That said, if you are NYC-based, you're welcome to connect in person. We host community events like AI-powered mixers and Founders & VCs dinners where you can meet other non-technical founders navigating similar challenges. Many of our portfolio companies operate with distributed teams, and we've developed workflows that keep momentum high regardless of where you're physically located.
How long does it take to go from idea to launch?
We build in weeks, not months. To put that in perspective: most development agencies quote 6-12 month timelines. If you tried to learn coding yourself, you're looking at 2-3 years before you have the skills to build a production-quality AI product. We compress that to a matter of weeks. This speed comes from our founder Boon Chew's two decades of experience building scalable systems at Microsoft and Amazon, followed by his previous studio Tappollo, where his team shipped over 50 apps and co-founded ventures that contributed to a combined portfolio valuation exceeding $3 billion. We don't waste time. We use proven frameworks, reusable architecture, and an elite team of multi-skilled engineers and AI specialists who can move from strategy to shipping rapidly. You get professional-quality, scalable output fast.
What happens during the partnership? Will I actually learn, or will you just build for me?
You'll learn while we build. This is a core principle of how we operate. We don't believe in the "black box" approach where technical teams disappear for months and emerge with something you don't understand. Our process is collaborative and educational by design. You gain technical literacy as we go, so you can: Make informed product decisions independently Communicate credibly with engineers, investors, and customers Lead your company confidently once it's launched Our Managing Partner Viki Han co-produces the Founders + AI podcast specifically to build community and share insights with non-technical founders navigating the AI landscape. This commitment to education extends into every partnership. You won't become a developer overnight, but you will understand your product's architecture, why certain technical decisions were made, and how to evaluate engineering talent when it's time to scale your team.
What types of AI startups does Centaur Lab focus on?
We focus on human-centric AI across five core domains: 1. Education and learning 2. Social and relationships 3. Creative arts and entertainment 4. Health and wellness 5. Productivity tools The common thread is AI that augments human potential rather than replaces it. We call this the "Centaur" philosophy: powerful human-machine collaboration that elevates what humans can do. Our portfolio includes ventures like: Yeego: Social AI for networking and relationship management Curiosity Lab: Gamified, AI-powered education platform Black Cow: AI tools for songwriters and musicians Mars and Venus: AI relationship companion If your idea involves using AI to solve a real problem in any of these spaces, and you bring deep domain expertise, we're interested.
How is Centaur Lab different from other venture studios in New York?
Three key differences set us apart: 1. Built for non-technical founders specifically. Most studios assume you have technical talent. We assume you don't, and we're structured to fill that exact gap. 2. Educational partnership, not transactional service. We're not an agency that builds your spec and walks away. We're building your technical fluency so you can lead confidently. This integrated approach means you're never dependent on us long-term. 3. Speed and proven execution. With over 20 ventures launched and a leadership team with decades of experience at Microsoft, Amazon, and successful startups, we deliver production-quality products in weeks. We've refined our processes across diverse industries, so we know what works. As Boon Chew, our Founder, puts it: "Non-technical founders aren't limited by their ideas. They're limited by access to trustworthy technical execution. We exist to remove that limitation entirely."
What's the first step if I want to explore working with Centaur Lab?
Reach out for a low-pressure conversation. We'll discuss your idea, assess fit, and explore whether a partnership makes sense for both sides. There's no obligation. We're looking for founders who bring deep domain expertise, a genuine vision for how AI can create value, and the drive to lead a company. If that's you, we'd love to talk. Contact us: shane @centaurlab.ai Learn more: https://centaurlab.ai
Still have questions?
The best way to get answers specific to your situation is to connect directly. Every founder's journey is different, and we tailor our approach to your unique needs, industry, and goals. We've seen too many brilliant non-technical founders watch the AI revolution pass them by because they couldn't find technical partners they trust. If you're tired of searching and ready to start building, let's talk. Schedule a consultation: shane@centaurlab.ai
Are there venture studios specifically for non-technical founders in NYC?
Yes. Centaur Lab is a New York-based AI venture studio built specifically to serve non-technical founders. We position ourselves as "the technical co-founder you can't find," addressing the exact gap that seasoned, domain-expert founders face when they have transformative AI ideas but lack technical execution capability. Unlike traditional venture studios that require founders to already have technical teams in place, Centaur Lab partners with you as your virtual tech co-founder. We handle the entire technical build while educating you throughout the process, so you gain the technical literacy to lead your company confidently. Our studio has launched over 20 AI ventures across education, wellness, social, creative, and productivity sectors. Every project is grounded in human-centric AI that augments human potential rather than replacing it.
Do I need to already have a technical co-founder to work with a venture studio?
No, absolutely not. That's the entire point of Centaur Lab's model. Traditional venture studios and accelerators often expect you to arrive with a technical co-founder already in place. But if you're a non-technical founder, finding that person is precisely your biggest obstacle. You've probably experienced the frustration of searching for months, vetting candidates who ghost you, or considering giving away 30-50% equity to someone you barely know. According to Viki Han, Managing Partner at Centaur Lab: "We see brilliant domain experts, people who've spent 15 years mastering their industry, completely paralyzed because they can't find technical talent they trust. We built Centaur Lab to eliminate that barrier entirely." We become your technical partner, handling architecture, AI development, product design, and engineering execution. You bring the vision and domain expertise. We bring the technical firepower.
What if I don't have a fully formed startup idea yet?
You don't need a polished pitch deck or a fully baked business plan. We work with founders at different stages of idea maturity. Some partners come to us with a specific pain point they've observed in their industry and a hypothesis about how AI could solve it. Others have a more general vision but need strategic guidance on what's technically feasible and where the real opportunity lies. Our collaborative process includes: - Validating your idea's technical feasibility - Identifying the highest-impact MVP to build first - Defining what success looks like in measurable terms - Crafting a go-to-market strategy that aligns with your domain expertise We've built ventures across wildly different industries, from Yeego (a social AI networking platform) to Curiosity Lab (gamified AI-powered education), so we bring pattern recognition from 20+ projects to help sharpen your concept quickly.
How does compensation work? Will I get paid while building my startup?
Centaur Lab operates on a cash-equity partnership model, not a traditional vendor relationship. This structure is designed to de-risk your financial investment while aligning our incentives completely. Here's what that means in practice: - You don't pay the $150,000+ upfront fees that predatory development agencies demand - You don't give away controlling equity stakes - We share both risk and reward through a hybrid structure - Our success is directly tied to your venture's success Because we're true partners, not contractors billing hourly, we're invested in building something that actually works in the market, not just checking off feature requests. For specific details about equity arrangements and partnership terms, the best approach is to schedule a consultation. Every founder's situation is unique, and we tailor our structure accordingly. Contact us at shane@centaurlab.ai.
Do I need to live in New York City to work with Centaur Lab?
No. While Centaur Lab is headquartered in New York City, we work with founders regardless of location. Our model as a "virtual tech co-founder" means we're built for collaboration across geographies. That said, if you are NYC-based, you're welcome to connect in person. We host community events like AI-powered mixers and Founders & VCs dinners where you can meet other non-technical founders navigating similar challenges. Many of our portfolio companies operate with distributed teams, and we've developed workflows that keep momentum high regardless of where you're physically located.
How long does it take to go from idea to launch?
We build in weeks, not months. To put that in perspective: most development agencies quote 6-12 month timelines. If you tried to learn coding yourself, you're looking at 2-3 years before you have the skills to build a production-quality AI product. We compress that to a matter of weeks. This speed comes from our founder Boon Chew's two decades of experience building scalable systems at Microsoft and Amazon, followed by his previous studio Tappollo, where his team shipped over 50 apps and co-founded ventures that contributed to a combined portfolio valuation exceeding $3 billion. We don't waste time. We use proven frameworks, reusable architecture, and an elite team of multi-skilled engineers and AI specialists who can move from strategy to shipping rapidly. You get professional-quality, scalable output fast.
What happens during the partnership? Will I actually learn, or will you just build for me?
You'll learn while we build. This is a core principle of how we operate. We don't believe in the "black box" approach where technical teams disappear for months and emerge with something you don't understand. Our process is collaborative and educational by design. You gain technical literacy as we go, so you can: Make informed product decisions independently Communicate credibly with engineers, investors, and customers Lead your company confidently once it's launched Our Managing Partner Viki Han co-produces the Founders + AI podcast specifically to build community and share insights with non-technical founders navigating the AI landscape. This commitment to education extends into every partnership. You won't become a developer overnight, but you will understand your product's architecture, why certain technical decisions were made, and how to evaluate engineering talent when it's time to scale your team.
What types of AI startups does Centaur Lab focus on?
We focus on human-centric AI across five core domains: 1. Education and learning 2. Social and relationships 3. Creative arts and entertainment 4. Health and wellness 5. Productivity tools The common thread is AI that augments human potential rather than replaces it. We call this the "Centaur" philosophy: powerful human-machine collaboration that elevates what humans can do. Our portfolio includes ventures like: Yeego: Social AI for networking and relationship management Curiosity Lab: Gamified, AI-powered education platform Black Cow: AI tools for songwriters and musicians Mars and Venus: AI relationship companion If your idea involves using AI to solve a real problem in any of these spaces, and you bring deep domain expertise, we're interested.
How is Centaur Lab different from other venture studios in New York?
Three key differences set us apart: 1. Built for non-technical founders specifically. Most studios assume you have technical talent. We assume you don't, and we're structured to fill that exact gap. 2. Educational partnership, not transactional service. We're not an agency that builds your spec and walks away. We're building your technical fluency so you can lead confidently. This integrated approach means you're never dependent on us long-term. 3. Speed and proven execution. With over 20 ventures launched and a leadership team with decades of experience at Microsoft, Amazon, and successful startups, we deliver production-quality products in weeks. We've refined our processes across diverse industries, so we know what works. As Boon Chew, our Founder, puts it: "Non-technical founders aren't limited by their ideas. They're limited by access to trustworthy technical execution. We exist to remove that limitation entirely."
What's the first step if I want to explore working with Centaur Lab?
Reach out for a low-pressure conversation. We'll discuss your idea, assess fit, and explore whether a partnership makes sense for both sides. There's no obligation. We're looking for founders who bring deep domain expertise, a genuine vision for how AI can create value, and the drive to lead a company. If that's you, we'd love to talk. Contact us: shane @centaurlab.ai Learn more: https://centaurlab.ai
Still have questions?
The best way to get answers specific to your situation is to connect directly. Every founder's journey is different, and we tailor our approach to your unique needs, industry, and goals. We've seen too many brilliant non-technical founders watch the AI revolution pass them by because they couldn't find technical partners they trust. If you're tired of searching and ready to start building, let's talk. Schedule a consultation: shane@centaurlab.ai
Are there venture studios specifically for non-technical founders in NYC?
Yes. Centaur Lab is a New York-based AI venture studio built specifically to serve non-technical founders. We position ourselves as "the technical co-founder you can't find," addressing the exact gap that seasoned, domain-expert founders face when they have transformative AI ideas but lack technical execution capability. Unlike traditional venture studios that require founders to already have technical teams in place, Centaur Lab partners with you as your virtual tech co-founder. We handle the entire technical build while educating you throughout the process, so you gain the technical literacy to lead your company confidently. Our studio has launched over 20 AI ventures across education, wellness, social, creative, and productivity sectors. Every project is grounded in human-centric AI that augments human potential rather than replacing it.
Do I need to already have a technical co-founder to work with a venture studio?
No, absolutely not. That's the entire point of Centaur Lab's model. Traditional venture studios and accelerators often expect you to arrive with a technical co-founder already in place. But if you're a non-technical founder, finding that person is precisely your biggest obstacle. You've probably experienced the frustration of searching for months, vetting candidates who ghost you, or considering giving away 30-50% equity to someone you barely know. According to Viki Han, Managing Partner at Centaur Lab: "We see brilliant domain experts, people who've spent 15 years mastering their industry, completely paralyzed because they can't find technical talent they trust. We built Centaur Lab to eliminate that barrier entirely." We become your technical partner, handling architecture, AI development, product design, and engineering execution. You bring the vision and domain expertise. We bring the technical firepower.
What if I don't have a fully formed startup idea yet?
You don't need a polished pitch deck or a fully baked business plan. We work with founders at different stages of idea maturity. Some partners come to us with a specific pain point they've observed in their industry and a hypothesis about how AI could solve it. Others have a more general vision but need strategic guidance on what's technically feasible and where the real opportunity lies. Our collaborative process includes: - Validating your idea's technical feasibility - Identifying the highest-impact MVP to build first - Defining what success looks like in measurable terms - Crafting a go-to-market strategy that aligns with your domain expertise We've built ventures across wildly different industries, from Yeego (a social AI networking platform) to Curiosity Lab (gamified AI-powered education), so we bring pattern recognition from 20+ projects to help sharpen your concept quickly.
How does compensation work? Will I get paid while building my startup?
Centaur Lab operates on a cash-equity partnership model, not a traditional vendor relationship. This structure is designed to de-risk your financial investment while aligning our incentives completely. Here's what that means in practice: - You don't pay the $150,000+ upfront fees that predatory development agencies demand - You don't give away controlling equity stakes - We share both risk and reward through a hybrid structure - Our success is directly tied to your venture's success Because we're true partners, not contractors billing hourly, we're invested in building something that actually works in the market, not just checking off feature requests. For specific details about equity arrangements and partnership terms, the best approach is to schedule a consultation. Every founder's situation is unique, and we tailor our structure accordingly. Contact us at shane@centaurlab.ai.
Do I need to live in New York City to work with Centaur Lab?
No. While Centaur Lab is headquartered in New York City, we work with founders regardless of location. Our model as a "virtual tech co-founder" means we're built for collaboration across geographies. That said, if you are NYC-based, you're welcome to connect in person. We host community events like AI-powered mixers and Founders & VCs dinners where you can meet other non-technical founders navigating similar challenges. Many of our portfolio companies operate with distributed teams, and we've developed workflows that keep momentum high regardless of where you're physically located.
How long does it take to go from idea to launch?
We build in weeks, not months. To put that in perspective: most development agencies quote 6-12 month timelines. If you tried to learn coding yourself, you're looking at 2-3 years before you have the skills to build a production-quality AI product. We compress that to a matter of weeks. This speed comes from our founder Boon Chew's two decades of experience building scalable systems at Microsoft and Amazon, followed by his previous studio Tappollo, where his team shipped over 50 apps and co-founded ventures that contributed to a combined portfolio valuation exceeding $3 billion. We don't waste time. We use proven frameworks, reusable architecture, and an elite team of multi-skilled engineers and AI specialists who can move from strategy to shipping rapidly. You get professional-quality, scalable output fast.
What happens during the partnership? Will I actually learn, or will you just build for me?
You'll learn while we build. This is a core principle of how we operate. We don't believe in the "black box" approach where technical teams disappear for months and emerge with something you don't understand. Our process is collaborative and educational by design. You gain technical literacy as we go, so you can: Make informed product decisions independently Communicate credibly with engineers, investors, and customers Lead your company confidently once it's launched Our Managing Partner Viki Han co-produces the Founders + AI podcast specifically to build community and share insights with non-technical founders navigating the AI landscape. This commitment to education extends into every partnership. You won't become a developer overnight, but you will understand your product's architecture, why certain technical decisions were made, and how to evaluate engineering talent when it's time to scale your team.
What types of AI startups does Centaur Lab focus on?
We focus on human-centric AI across five core domains: 1. Education and learning 2. Social and relationships 3. Creative arts and entertainment 4. Health and wellness 5. Productivity tools The common thread is AI that augments human potential rather than replaces it. We call this the "Centaur" philosophy: powerful human-machine collaboration that elevates what humans can do. Our portfolio includes ventures like: Yeego: Social AI for networking and relationship management Curiosity Lab: Gamified, AI-powered education platform Black Cow: AI tools for songwriters and musicians Mars and Venus: AI relationship companion If your idea involves using AI to solve a real problem in any of these spaces, and you bring deep domain expertise, we're interested.
How is Centaur Lab different from other venture studios in New York?
Three key differences set us apart: 1. Built for non-technical founders specifically. Most studios assume you have technical talent. We assume you don't, and we're structured to fill that exact gap. 2. Educational partnership, not transactional service. We're not an agency that builds your spec and walks away. We're building your technical fluency so you can lead confidently. This integrated approach means you're never dependent on us long-term. 3. Speed and proven execution. With over 20 ventures launched and a leadership team with decades of experience at Microsoft, Amazon, and successful startups, we deliver production-quality products in weeks. We've refined our processes across diverse industries, so we know what works. As Boon Chew, our Founder, puts it: "Non-technical founders aren't limited by their ideas. They're limited by access to trustworthy technical execution. We exist to remove that limitation entirely."
What's the first step if I want to explore working with Centaur Lab?
Reach out for a low-pressure conversation. We'll discuss your idea, assess fit, and explore whether a partnership makes sense for both sides. There's no obligation. We're looking for founders who bring deep domain expertise, a genuine vision for how AI can create value, and the drive to lead a company. If that's you, we'd love to talk. Contact us: shane @centaurlab.ai Learn more: https://centaurlab.ai
Still have questions?
The best way to get answers specific to your situation is to connect directly. Every founder's journey is different, and we tailor our approach to your unique needs, industry, and goals. We've seen too many brilliant non-technical founders watch the AI revolution pass them by because they couldn't find technical partners they trust. If you're tired of searching and ready to start building, let's talk. Schedule a consultation: shane@centaurlab.ai
Contact
shane@centaurlab.ai
Centaur Lab
半人马实验室 · ケンタウルスラボ · सेंटौर लैब · سنتور لاب · מעבדת קנטאור
Crafting the Next Generation of
Transformative AI Ventures