What are you working on right now?

I’m at Alif, running special projects. That means incubating new companies from within — identifying problems, sketching out solutions, and then figuring out how to grow them from the ground up. Whether it’s B2B or consumer, I focus on go-to-market: what sales should look like, what marketing should look like, and how to scale.

How did you get into this role?

It started during Covid. I suddenly had way too much free time, so instead of just playing games all day, I started exploring AI. I took a free Harvard online course, “Intro to AI,” and got hooked.

From there, I began building AI projects, sharing them online, and meeting people on Twitter. That’s how I made friends in the space and eventually joined programs that deepened my interest. When it came time to apply to college, I only applied to schools in the Bay Area. I knew I wanted to be in Silicon Valley, surrounded by people building ambitious things.

What’s been the most exciting part of working at Alif?

It was my first real experience in the marketing world. Learning how companies drive revenue, build brand awareness, and capture attention — that’s been exciting. I realized that marketing is simpler than it looks from the outside. A tweet, a post — that’s marketing. It’s all about how many eyeballs you can get, and then building the funnel from there: post → landing page → conversion.

When did you first start learning marketing?

Honestly, by doing it at Alif. I saw firsthand how marketing and growth really work. Social media changed the game — it lowered the barrier. Anyone can post something, anyone can reach people. Once you understand that, you can start experimenting with funnels, CTAs, and optimizing.

Do you plan to start your own company one day?

Definitely. Right now, I’m focused on building from inside Alif, but the end goal is to start something myself.

What advice would you give someone trying to break into their first startup role?

Build things — and post about them.

That could mean making a demo and sharing it on Twitter, sending it to friends, or reaching out directly to people you admire. Over time, you’ll find your circle of like-minded people. That’s how I started, and it’s how most of my friends got started too.

Where do you find inspiration?

A lot from my friends. The people around me inspire me more than anyone else. I spend time “inspo farming” — scrolling Twitter and Instagram, seeing what creators and friends are putting out, and thinking about how I can apply it to my own work.

For example, I’ve taken a lot from Farza’s style of writing and especially his newsletter. I look up to the way he’s consistently created thoughtful content over the years.

What technology excites you most in the next few years?

Consumer hardware, especially humanoid robots.

When I was three years old, I watched iRobot. That movie blew my mind and sparked my interest in tech. Now, to see humanoid robots becoming real — it feels like a full-circle moment. I can’t wait to see how humans actually interact with robots as they enter daily life.

What do you wish someone had told you four years ago?

That it’s okay to be loud.

Growing up, you’re often told to stay humble, don’t draw too much attention. But in reality, you should show your work loudly. That’s how people find you — and how you find your people. I wish I’d realized earlier that being visible is part of building.