The Engineering Alumni Association recently had the pleasure of interviewing Capella Kerst, Ph.D., mechanical and aerospace engineering, Class of 2014. She is the founder and CEO of geCKo Materials, and winner of the 2025 UCLA Samueli “Rising Professional” Award. She currently resides in Northern California and is part of the EAA Bay Area Alumni Engagement Committee.

We look forward to your enjoying her insights into life, entrepreneurship, and the Bruin Spirit!

Q: What was one of your most invaluable experiences from UCLA that has led to the success of your company?
A: There were so many invaluable experiences at UCLA. The connections I made and the classes I took are things I use day to day in running my company. But beyond the technical knowledge, UCLA instilled in me an invaluable sense of positivity, resilience, and team spirit. The collaborative culture there — where everyone is aligned on making a positive impact for our planet — has been fundamental to how I approach building geCKo Materials and our mission.

Q: What are the first three steps you recommend to fellow alumni who want to start their own company?
A: First, identify a problem in society that you can genuinely contribute to solving. Make sure you’re passionate about it because entrepreneurship brings both incredible highs and challenging lows — your passion will carry you through.

Second, just start. Whether you’re going solo or building a team, don’t wait for perfect conditions. Begin working on the problem immediately.

Third, assemble the right people around you early on. The team you build in those initial stages will determine whether your vision becomes reality.

Q: What would you do differently if you were a UCLA engineering student today, knowing what you know now?
A: I’d take even more classes. I don’t regret taking a single course, even ones I don’t directly use in my current role. I’d encourage students to take the fun classes and as many as they can handle — pursue the subjects that genuinely interest you.

Looking back, I’m actually grateful that I didn’t have internet in my apartment during college because it prevented me from wasting time on distractions and kept me focused on learning.

Q: What are the most common misconceptions about starting a company?
A: The biggest misconception is that being in charge means everything becomes easy and you have complete control. Others often think, “I’ll finally control my own thermostat!” But the reality is quite different—I thought I’d have control over my work environment, but my employees prefer the lab much colder than I do, so now I work outside most of the time!

Being a founder means everything is your responsibility, and while it’s incredibly rewarding work, it’s far from easy. You’re accountable for every decision and outcome.

Q: As a woman entrepreneur, what challenges, if any, did you experience from the investor community?
A: Interestingly, some of my most productive investor meetings were with other women investors. They asked the most scrutinizing and thoughtful questions, and I now have several powerhouse female investors backing the company.

The key lesson I learned is that when people say no or offer critiques, you can often trace it back to their own portfolio focus or investment thesis. Many negative comments shouldn’t be taken personally — not every investor is the right fit for your company.

The more unexpected challenges were operational: finding talented people early on who believe in the vision and can work for modest compensation, establishing regular schedules when every day brings different challenges, and eventually learning to let your company — which feels like your baby — become other people’s responsibility as you scale.

Q: What should founders focus on during the early stages of the startup journey?
A: Focus intensely on three things: bringing on the right people, being frugal with your resources, and solving a specific problem for a particular group of customers.

Stay laser-focused on that specific customer group because companies often die trying to serve too broad a market too early. It’s better to solve one problem exceptionally well than to spread yourself thin across multiple opportunities.

Q: How do you know when to pivot and when you have achieved product-market fit?
A: Product-market fit is straightforward: people are buying your product. When customers are willingly paying for what you’re offering, you’ve found it.

For pivoting, listen carefully to customer feedback and be willing to adapt based on what you learn. However, don’t try to recreate someone else’s startup playbook exactly — different companies will play out differently based on their unique circumstances and markets.

Q: What mistakes have you learned from and would avoid repeating if you were to start another company?
A: I view mistakes as learning opportunities, so I wouldn’t necessarily avoid them — they’re part of the growth process. However, there are practices I’d implement from day one: proper paperwork and bookkeeping systems, interviewing multiple lawyers early to find the right legal counsel, and building relationships with quality advisors.

I’d also be more selective about investor meetings. Looking back, I spent significant time with investors where the fit wasn’t right, when that time could have been better spent elsewhere.

Q: How do you stay motivated during difficult times with your startup?
A: I rely on prayer, reflection, and thinking about how I can improve and do things better. I regularly talk with mentors and advisors who provide perspective and guidance.

I focus on distinguishing between what’s within my control and what isn’t. My faith is central to who I am and who I’m working for, which provides a foundation of purpose that extends beyond just business success.

Q: What’s next for geCKo Materials?
A: We’re in a significant growth phase — expanding from four to 11 full-time employees. We’re continuing to serve our existing customers while developing new applications for our technology, including semiconductor robotics that can eliminate suction systems for airlines, replacing certain medical devices, and even helping astronauts.

Our focus is on helping customers save energy, time, and money while we ramp up sales from pilot programs to full production scale.

Q: Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
A: Do what you love, and the money will follow. More importantly, do your part in helping the world by being the change you want to see. That’s how you build something meaningful that lasts.

Thank you for reading our first UCLA EAA Bruin Spotlight! If you’d like to nominate someone for consideration for a future spotlight piece, please feel free to reach out to us at uclaeaa@support.ucla.edu. Please stay in touch, check out our website, and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Go Bruins!