Building a Startup in the U.S.: Ilayda Samilgil’s Entrepreneurial Journey

Starting a business in a foreign country comes with significant challenges, and Ilayda Samilgil knows this firsthand. At just 28 years old, she is the CEO and co-founder of Organic Robotics, a Boston-based technology company she launched six years ago. Reflecting on her early days as a young entrepreneur, she describes the experience as both rewarding and demanding.

"Starting in my early 20s, especially being far from my family and friends with no one around me who had done this before, made it even harder. But looking back, I achieved everything I had set out to do," says Samilgil.

Her company initially focused on developing "sensing robots," but today, it operates under the Llume brand, specializing in wearable sensor technology. The path to this point, however, was not without obstacles. Being a young woman in a male-dominated industry meant facing additional hurdles. "At first, people assumed I was a student and did not take me seriously," she recalls.

From Science to Entrepreneurship

Samilgil’s academic journey set the foundation for her entrepreneurial career. In 2014, while still in high school, she gained recognition in Turkey after winning the First Step to Nobel Prize in Physics, an international award organized by the Polish Physics Institute. She later pursued Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University in the United States, where she also took a minor in entrepreneurship, wanting to work in an innovation-driven field.

During her time at university, she conducted research on sensor technologies. After graduating in 2019, she received a job offer from Prof. Dr. Robert Shepherd, who was looking to establish a startup. It was a decision that involved significant risk, but Samilgil saw it as an opportunity to work on innovation and make a meaningful impact.

"It was a huge risk. At the time, there was nothing concrete—just an idea that needed investors or customers to believe in its potential. As a recent graduate and a woman, it was difficult," she explains.

Despite these challenges, support came from key organizations, including the National Football League (NFL), the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Army. Over the years, Organic Robotics has secured more than $8 million in funding from grants, seed investments, and innovation funds.

Growing a Business and Taking on New Responsibilities

As the company grew, so did Samilgil’s responsibilities. Initially focused on engineering, she eventually had to manage human resources, finance, and taxation. Today, Organic Robotics has a team of 10-15 employees, and ensuring their motivation and well-being has become a key part of her role.

"Making sure everyone enjoys coming to work and addressing any problems is my responsibility, and sometimes, these take up a lot of time," she says.

Fluctuations in company revenue posed another challenge, particularly in the early years. "As a company leader, it was sometimes difficult not to be affected by downturns. In the beginning, I struggled emotionally, questioning why the company wasn’t growing fast enough or why we weren’t securing investment. But now, I don’t stress as much because we’ve experienced so many ups and downs. I know that we can overcome them by trying new approaches."

From Sensing Robots to Wearable Technology

Originally, Samilgil’s team aimed to develop sensors that would give robots a sense of touch. Robots can see where they are going using cameras, but they cannot distinguish whether they are walking on ice, sand, or mud. However, since developing such advanced robotic applications required long-term research, they shifted their focus to wearable technology, where they could bring their innovations to market more quickly.

As a result, the company introduced fiber-optic sensors under the Llume brand, creating a product designed for athletes. One of their early developments was a wearable belt that detects breathing patterns by tracking chest expansion and contraction.

For athletes, measuring maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) is critical for assessing endurance. Traditionally, this requires wearing a mask while running or rowing, a process that can be uncomfortable. Samilgil’s team sought to provide a more convenient alternative by designing a fiber-optic sensor belt that integrates with iPhones and iPads, allowing for real-time monitoring without the need for cumbersome equipment.

Beyond sports applications, these sensors are also being explored for military use. Studies are examining their potential in monitoring long-term health effects on soldiers exposed to small-scale explosions.

Establishing a Startup in a Foreign Country

Today, Samilgil continues to lead Organic Robotics as its CEO and remains committed to driving innovation in wearable technology. In 2025, she was recognized as one of the four Turkish entrepreneurs to be included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

"There were times in the beginning when I wasn’t taken seriously as a young woman," she recalls. But after years of persistence and growth, she has carved out her place in the industry. Looking ahead, she does not rule out a return to robotics: "Since we are a sensor company, we may eventually revisit robotic applications in the future."