We live in a social info overloaded tech bubble (say that ten times fast!) Though this new landscape has given businesses revolutionary access to information about their users and customers, it can be challenging to make sense of it all. That’s why GraphDive has created a technology that takes all this social data, analyzes it and transforms it into actionable insight on users. We caught up with startup founder and CEO Shahram Seyedin-Noor to talk tech challenges, what to spend your money on, and lunch with Obama.
What’s the greatest thing about GraphDive?
The coolest thing about GraphDive is our technology. Our inspiration was to help every business better serve their users by “personalizing” the world around you. We started with a pretty ambitious goal of taking all the social data out there and understanding it at such a deep level that we could essentially tell any company who you are by reading your social data with our algorithms.
Well, building this technology was a lot harder than we thought it would be, and it took a few months longer than planned. But my cofounder and CTO, along with our team, has delivered a product (our Social API) that is simple to use yet extremely powerful. And that’s the coolest thing about GraphDive: that we were not deterred by our challenges, but are instead energized by the opportunity.
Congrats on raising over $1 million in funding! What will it be used for?
We will use the new financing to expand our engineering team and scale our product. We believe that the problem we are solving for – relevance, personalization, and “discovery” in the age of data overload – will require continued investment in R&D for us to maintain our technological lead. And we are a technology company first and foremost.
What’s a typical day look like?
A typical day in our offices involves hard work mixed with open collaboration, copious amounts of tea (we have aromatic Chinese and Persian blends on tap), and some fun banter. Sometimes Angry Birds get involved.
Got any great bootstrapping tips for the lean startups out there?
Do not rent expensive office space, do not spend money you don’t have on things that you can do yourself, and do not raise any money until you are 100% committed to your path and the sacrifices needed to get to the finish line.
Who would you like to have lunch with and what would you talk about?
President Barack Obama. I would talk to him about US competitiveness, taking care of our youth to ensure a brighter future, and world affairs. And, of course, technology!
Biggest startup challenge?
Growth. The skills required to go from an idea to a prototype are different than those required to scale a company. As an executive in a startup, it’s important to recognize that you will always be learning. Humility and hard work are essential.
Web App or site you couldn’t live without and why.
Dropbox. Google search. Macbook Air.
What’s your music-streaming site of choice, and what’s currently playing?
I listen to music on my iPod. Currently playing: Salsa.
Where can our readers reach out to you?
Follow me on Twitter @graphdive, email me, and visit the website GraphDive.com.
Thanks, Shahram! Check out GraphDive, let them analyze all your social data mumbo jumbo, so you can read your customers and make your social profitable.
Photo Credits
SourtShahram Seyedin-Noor | Flickr
