The Underdog Founder: Bringing Lexi to Step SF 2025

The Underdog Founder: Bringing Lexi to Step SF 2025

Hi, I’m Isaiah Ware, a software engineer from Houston with over three years of experience building scalable backend systems and data pipelines at top tech companies like Brex, Datadog, Square, and Lyft. I'm a Computer Science graduate from Washington University in St. Louis, and I’m passionate about combining systems engineering with AI to create impactful tools.

Despite my experience and skills, finding a stable job has been a persistent challenge, leading to a difficult year where I've been sleeping on my grandmother's bathroom floor. It was during this time that I poured my energy into building Lexi.

Lexi is a language-learning platform that leverages generative AI to provide virtually limitless foreign language practice. Learners can generate text content based on a topic of their choosing, in their preferred foreign language, and at their desired reading level. From there, Lexi provides multiple interactive modes—including passage reading, flashcards, vocabulary, translation, quizzes, and an AI chat mode—designed to help learners practice and improve in diverse, engaging ways. Try Lexi for yourself.

Lexi was recently accepted to showcase at Step SF 2025, a major tech startup event in San Francisco. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to present to investors, participate in pitch competitions, and connect with the startup community.

To attend, I need to raise $845 to cover the non-refundable $445 booth fee, a $200 flight, $100 for food, and $100 for a hotel stay. I currently have $30 saved. I'm not asking for charity; I’m asking for a chance to prove that grit, skill, and commitment can overcome any situation.

If you believe in supporting underdog founders and innovative ideas, please consider donating even $5. If you can’t donate, sharing this story would mean the world to me. Thank you for believing in me and my vision.

— Isaiah Ware, Founder of Lexi

https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaiahware99