Meet Jesse Pujji: Founder of Gateway X, Serial Entrepreneur, and Missouri Startup Weekend Mentor

Jesse Pujji thrives where many founders burn out—the chaotic early stages of building something from nothing. Born and raised in St. Louis to Indian immigrant parents, Jesse grew up inspired by both the entrepreneurial spirit of his father and the teaching mindset of his mother.

From hustling popcorn tins door to door to DJing in high school, Jesse’s early ventures sparked an obsession with business that led him to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied finance and entrepreneurship, with a second degree in political science. While interning on Wall Street, Jesse moonlighted as a founder, launching a t-shirt company and a social network for high schoolers.

After Penn, Jesse went on to advise Fortune 500 companies and investment firms at Goldman Sachs and McKinsey & Company. But even amid the corporate grind, Jesse knew he was wired to build.

In 2010, Jesse co-founded Ampush, bootstrapping the business to a mid-eight-figure exit while managing over $1 billion in media spend for brands like Uber, Hulu, and Dollar Shave Club. Yet, it wasn’t the financial reward that stuck with him—it was the personal growth that came from leading through the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.

"Mindset is foundational," Jesse says. “Where are they mentally? Are they clear on their goals, their challenges, and their vision for the business?”

That belief became the cornerstone of Gateway X, the St. Louis-based venture studio he leads today. Jesse now helps co-founders scale "bootstrapped giants"—profitable, sustainable businesses that solve real-world problems.

Today, Gateway X is home to businesses like GrowthAssistant and Aux Insights, and Jesse continues to play an active role as a mentor, strategist, and culture-builder. He describes his own role as part co-founder, part teacher. “You need to go in with a mindset of relentless curiosity and action,” he advises founders. It’s a philosophy that’s equally present in his own work launching companies and in the energy he brings to events like Missouri Startup Weekend.

For Jesse, entrepreneurship is equal parts execution and self-awareness. Whether he’s launching businesses at Gateway X or mentoring at events like Missouri Startup Weekend, he pushes founders to focus on what matters most: testing ideas fast, listening deeply, and leaning into uncertainty.

Q&A with Jesse Pujji

What’s a lesson from a mentor that still sticks with you today? One of the most impactful lessons I’ve carried with me came from a coach I worked with early in my journey: your mindset is everything. He introduced me to the concept of conscious leadership, which boils down to asking yourself, “Where are you?”—not physically, but mentally. Are you above the line, operating with clarity, curiosity, and responsibility? Or below it, stuck in fear, blame, or defensiveness? This framework became a cornerstone for how I approach challenges, especially in high-pressure situations like sales or scaling a business.

It’s not just about staying positive—it’s about being intentional. When we were scaling Ampush, there were moments where I hesitated to double down on a strategy because I was afraid of losing what we’d already built. But shifting my mindset allowed me to see those risks as opportunities to grow, not threats to avoid. That perspective has been a game-changer, and it’s something I still practice daily.

What’s the biggest mistake you see early-stage founders make, and how can they avoid it? The biggest mistake I see early-stage founders make is trying to do too much for too many people. They spread themselves thin, chasing every opportunity instead of focusing on a specific niche where they can dominate. Without a clear Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), their business becomes misaligned—marketing is scattered, sales are inefficient, and product development lacks direction. It’s like trying to hit a target while blindfolded.

To avoid this, founders need to ruthlessly narrow their focus. Start by identifying your “favorite client”—the one who gets the most value from your product or service and is willing to pay for it. Then, double down on serving that type of customer better than anyone else. This clarity not only sharpens your value proposition but also makes resource allocation and decision-making much easier. Remember, it’s better to own a small, well-defined market than to be mediocre in a broad one. Focus creates momentum, and momentum drives growth.

What’s a book every entrepreneur should read? "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz is a must-read for every entrepreneur. It’s not your typical business book filled with fluff or theory—it’s raw, practical, and brutally honest about the challenges of building and running a company. Horowitz dives into the messy, unglamorous side of entrepreneurship: firing friends, making gut-wrenching decisions, and navigating crises that threaten to sink the business.

What makes it stand out is his focus on the hard decisions—the ones no one prepares you for. For example, he talks about how to handle layoffs with integrity or how to lead when you’re unsure of the path forward. It’s packed with actionable advice and real-world anecdotes from his time scaling Opsware and working in the trenches of Silicon Valley.

If you’re serious about entrepreneurship, this book will resonate deeply. It’s like having a mentor who tells you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. And trust me, you’ll walk away with a stronger mindset and a sharper toolkit for tackling the chaos of building something great.

You get to build a dream advisory board with three people, living or dead—who’s on it? Alright, here’s my dream advisory board:

Jeff Bezos – The guy’s a master of long-term thinking and scaling. His ability to obsess over the customer while building operational excellence is unmatched. I’d want his insights on how to balance relentless innovation with disciplined execution.

Oprah Winfrey – She’s the ultimate storyteller and brand builder. Oprah understands how to connect deeply with an audience and create a movement. Her perspective on building trust and emotional resonance with customers would be invaluable.

Andrew Carnegie – A titan of industry and philanthropy. Carnegie’s approach to leadership, scaling massive operations, and giving back to society would bring a historical lens to modern challenges. Plus, his focus on empowering others aligns with how I think about leadership.

This trio covers vision, connection, and legacy—everything you’d want to build something truly impactful. Who would be on yours?

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Dark chocolate, hands down. It’s rich, bold, and just the right amount of indulgent.

Any final words of encouragement for founders ready to grind through 54 hours of building? You’re about to dive into 54 hours of pure hustle, and here’s the thing: this is where the magic happens. The next couple of days will test your creativity, resilience, and ability to collaborate under pressure—but that’s exactly what entrepreneurship is all about. Embrace the chaos, because the best ideas often emerge when you’re running on adrenaline and caffeine.

Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. Focus on solving one real problem for one real customer. Keep it simple, keep it scrappy, and don’t get bogged down in trying to build the “perfect” product. Instead, aim to create something that works, even if it’s rough around the edges. You can refine it later.

And don’t forget to lean on your team. Great startups aren’t built in isolation—they’re the result of diverse perspectives and relentless collaboration. Listen deeply, challenge each other, and stay open to ideas you didn’t expect. That’s where the breakthroughs happen.

Finally, have fun with it. This is a rare opportunity to experiment, take risks, and learn at lightning speed. Whether you walk away with a winning pitch or just a ton of lessons, you’re building the muscle that every founder needs: the ability to execute under pressure. So leave it all on the field, and let’s see what you can create. You’ve got this.