Why are engineers and startup founders so excited about Artificial Intelligence? Is that because the field is hyped up, is that because we can ask ChatGPT all kinds of questions and get instant answers, or is it because of some deeper connection?
My friend Bijan came to talk about his experience starting EventMobi at the time when mobile web was just getting started, and how he is seeing many parallels between those days and AI today.
Bijan is smart, highly technical, and is full of energy, and while he could be doing anything else with his time, he is currently heads down, building a new company in AI. Why is that?
So many great lessons in this episode. You’ve got to listen to it!
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Bijan shares his journey from successfully bootstrapping EventMobi while still in college, to his current ventures in the AI, and how the best entrepreneurs and early stage employees are doing it all for fun and curiosity, as opposed to a big paycheck.
Throughout the episode, Bijan's experiences highlight the realities of startup life beyond the glamorized stories often portrayed in media. His journey from a bootstrapped startup to exploring AI ventures offers valuable lessons on persistence, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Key Highlights:
The EventMobi Journey: Bijan recounts the early days of EventMobi, which he started with his brother in 2009. They identified an opportunity in the mobile space for conferences and events, navigating through challenges like explaining the importance of mobile technology to skeptical event planners.
Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: Bijan discusses the pros and cons of bootstrapping EventMobi versus raising venture capital. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your industry and market potential when making this decision.
Scaling Challenges: As EventMobi grew, Bijan faced challenges in transitioning from an individual contributor to a manager. He candidly shares his experiences with burnout and the difficult decision to step away from his CTO role.
Post-EventMobi Career: After leaving EventMobi, Bijan explored various roles, including being a fractional CTO for startups and working with a venture capital firm. These experiences gave him a comprehensive view of the startup ecosystem from different angles.
Entering the AI Space: Bijan talks about his current focus on AI, particularly in solving data management problems for retailers and distributors. He emphasizes the importance of understanding deep customer problems and finding the right intersection between AI capabilities and market needs.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Bijan offers valuable insights for young entrepreneurs, especially in the context of the current AI boom. He stresses the importance of being a builder in these early stages of AI development and embracing the challenges that come with it.
The Cyclic Nature of Tech: The conversation touches on how tech cycles repeat, with periods of building followed by periods of sales and incremental improvements. Bijan notes that we're currently in a building phase for AI.
This podcast provides aspiring entrepreneurs with a realistic view of the startup world, emphasizing that success often comes through years of hard work, pivots, and a willingness to embrace new challenges and technologies.
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Connect with the guest:
• EventMobi
• Bijan Vaez
Connect with the host:
• The Novice Newsletter
• The Novice on Facebook
• Kirill Zubovsky
Episode Sponsored by: Breckworks.com
Last but not least, I am also working on something new in AI.
If you are curios, here is our deck, and a demo. We'd love to surround ourselves with really smart people. If you are one of them, say hello.
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