3x Founder | Founder Acceleration Coach | Helping high-performing founders scale faster with absolute clarity | Sold $65mm online

As a founder of 3 companies and 1 non-profit, with 2 successful exits, I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to grow a business.

I’ve also experienced the toll of stress, insomnia, and health challenges. I know how overwhelming it can be when scaling your business feels like an uphill battle.

In my 11 years with EO Argentina, I listened to the struggles of +100 successful founders (doing at least USD 1M a year in sales). I realized that beneath the surface, it’s often chaos: isolation, financial pressure, and fear of burnout. 

While most accelerators focus on startups, the truth is that, for businesses under $10MM in revenue, the biggest bottleneck to growth is you: the founder.

That's why I created Founder Accelerator: to empower the founders of renowned companies like Swag, Trading Company, Sancho Motors, Jams, Crawford Partners LLC, Lemon Basil, We Are Doers, and Mad Hatter LLC. 

My mission is to help them scale themselves first enhancing their clarity, focus, and efficiency, so they can grow their businesses with unparalleled speed and confidence.

Through personalized coaching, a 5-pillar playbook, and access to top professionals, we don’t just build businesses — we optimize the founder. 

If you're ready to scale your business while maintaining a healthy, balanced life, send me a DM and I’ll show you how Founder Accelerator can help you achieve both.

Ignacio Carcavallo

CEO at PRAY.COM

Steve is an American Entrepreneur, NCAA Champion, and the youngest advisor to the President of the United States to be appointed to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. 

Currently, Gatena is the Founder and CEO of PRAY.COM, the world’s #1 app for daily prayer and faith-based mental health content. 

Under his leadership, PRAY.COM has achieved unprecedented heights, becoming the highest-grossing religious app in history and recognized as Los Angeles’ best workplace. The company’s remarkable growth and influence has garnered numerous accolades, including Inc Magazine’s “Best in Business,” Fast Company’s “World Changing Ideas,” and recognition by Inc 5000 as the fastest growing faith-based media company in the US.

Gatena’s entrepreneurial journey began early. At age 22, he founded REP Interactive, which rapidly became America’s fastest-growing video marketing agency. REP Interactive earned over 100 industry awards for its work with global corporations and was recognized as one of America’s best workplaces. Building on this success, Gatena launched VideoFort, Hollywood’s largest stock footage supplier, providing critical content for blockbuster films such as “Transformers” and renowned television series including Discovery Channel’s “Planet Earth.”

In 2014, Gatena was honored at the United Nations as an “Entrepreneur of the Year.” Following this, he took the helm at Helinet in 2015, steering the global aerial surveillance and film production leader through challenging times, including the tragic loss of his mentor and business partner, Alan Purwin. This pivotal moment led Gatena to establish PRAY.COM, the digital destination for faith.

Recognized for his leadership, Steve has been awarded Los Angeles Times Executive of the Year, EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, and featured in CSQ Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Visionaries. The Healthcare Technology Report also honored him as one of the top 25 Consumer Health Tech Executives for his groundbreaking collaboration with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, bridging faith and mental health.

At just 34, Gatena was appointed by the 45th President of the United States to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, providing bipartisan guidance on critical economic and cybersecurity issues under both President Trump and President Biden.

Today, Gatena extends his influence through philanthropy, serving as a Board Member for Beyond the Brotherhood, a nonprofit committed to assisting Navy SEALs in their transition to meaningful civilian careers.

Steve Gatena

“Hey friends, I’m about to turn 65 soon and I wanted to share something personal that’s been on my mind.

I’ve been an airline pilot for 36 years. 

I’m no genius or rocket scientist—definitely not a wunderkind with job offers from NASA or JPL. 

Just an average guy who’s pretty good at staying humble.

Here’s the thing: At age 64, I had to learn how to fly one of the most advanced airliners in the world — the Airbus A350. 

Now, I’d spent 25 years flying the Boeing 767, which is a totally different beast. 

I had *never* flown an Airbus before, and let me tell you, it’s like switching from a bicycle to a spaceship.

I was the oldest pilot in my Delta A350 training class. 

Many younger pilots were struggling with the program — and I was warned that at my age, I might not make it through. 

The training manual? Over 7,000 pages. 

There were endless videos, 6 weeks of simulator sessions, and tough exams that tested everything. People said, “It can’t be done, old guy.”

Well, bullshit.

I cruised through the training like it was just another day at the office. 

It wasn’t harder than when I learned the MD-11 back in 1991 at 34 years old even though the A350 program was way more complex. 

My brain didn’t skip a beat in 30 years. 

I passed with flying colors.

If I can do it, anyone can.

Here’s my takeaway: Age is just a number. 

Some people might find learning harder at 30, 40, or 50, but some of us are still sharp as ever into our 60s, 70s, or even 90s. 

Don’t count yourself out because of age. 

Don’t underestimate older people many of us are still going strong, and sometimes even stronger than the young ones.

Be kind. 

Show respect. 

Treat everyone especially older folks with dignity. 

Because one day, in the blink of an eye, you’ll be one of us. And trust me, you’ll want someone to treat you right.”

Credit: Mandi Shre

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The Battle

Ignacio Carcavallo

Steve Gatena

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The Battle

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Steve Gatena

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