About
Syed Ahmed has over 15 years of software engineering and leadership experience. He previously founded Gradberry, a bootstrapped SaaS company, and Elements, an engineering and design firm that was acquired, and currently leads Tara AI.
Founder/CTO at Tara AIYC W15
Intro paths
YC
Syed went through Y Combinator (Winter 2015) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
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In turn, Syed can intro founders to Tara AI's investors below.
Tara AI's investors · 7
Co-founders at Tara AI
IM
Iba MasoodFounder/CEO
Experience
- Optimal AICo-founder and CTOcurrent2025 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- Stealth AI StartupCo-founder and CTO2024 — 2025San Francisco Bay Area
- TARA.AICo-founder and CTO2016 — 2024San Francisco Bay Area
- gradberryCo-founder & CTO2011 — 2016Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Elements (Acquired)Founder & CTO2011 — 2015Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- QUT (Queensland University of Technology)ML/AI Researcher2013Greater Brisbane Area
- American University of SharjahSchool of Art, Design & Architecture Teaching Assistant2010 — 2011Sharjah, U.A.E
- BoeingOperations and Maintenance Engineer2009Multiple
Skills & more
COBOLSOLIDWORKSAmazon Web Services (AWS)Google Cloud Platform (GCP)Python (Programming Language)C22PHP12Matlab12HTML10ANSYS5Adobe Creative Suite5Final Cut Pro5
+12 more
HTML 5SimulinkCSS3CSSPro EngineerSAPGoogle Webmaster ToolsMicrosoft SQL ServerStrategyLeadershipProduct ManagementProduct DesignLanguages Arabic · English · French · Italian · Spanish · Urdu
- Google Adwords — Google
From Syed's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Syed Ahmed?
- Syed Ahmed has over 15 years of software engineering and leadership experience. He previously founded Gradberry, a bootstrapped SaaS company, and Elements, an engineering and design firm that was acquired, and currently leads Tara AI.
- Where does Syed Ahmed work?
- Syed Ahmed is Founder/CTO of Tara AI.
- What companies did Syed Ahmed found?
- Syed Ahmed founded Tara AI.
- Where did Syed Ahmed go to school?
- Syed Ahmed studied at QUT (Queensland University of Technology) (Master's degree, Project Management); QUT (Queensland University of Technology) (Master's degree, Engineering Management); American University of Sharjah (BEng Mech, Mechanical Engineering and Minor in Sustainable Energy (Fuel Cells).
Founder mafias
Y Combinator mafia8,773
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Sam AltmanPresidentFounded Tools for Humanity +3Jessica LivingstonCo-founderFounded Y CombinatorAlexis OhanianYC Summer 2005Founded RedditFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded Nudge +1Matt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded HotspotsTrae StephensYC Winter 2022Founded Pursuit +1
+ 8,766 more
Queensland University of Technology mafia10
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Sara WimmercranzFounded FootwayRaghu YarlagaddaExchange StudentFounded FalconXRowan GrantExecutive MBAFounded TurnoutRaina KumraQUT Leadership Fellow, Industry FellowFounded SpicewellAdam HearneMaster of Information TechnologyFounded CarbonChainShawn LiamBachelor of Information Technology / Bachelor of Creative IndustriesFounded Atlas
+ 3 more
American University of Sharjah mafia5
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended QUT (Queensland University of Technology)83
Esther GilmoreGlobal Head of the Client Team at Generation Investment ManagementDon MeijEntrepreneur in Residence at StripesJulia SolomonPartner at StripesSam EdenInvestor at Square Peg CapitalAndrew PoesastePartner at RampersandFredrik BergenlidPartner at Fly Ventures
+ 77 more
Also attended American University of Sharjah16
Yasser MestarihiHead of Middle East at Type One VenturesVarun SharmaInvestment Associate at Wamda CapitalJamie RichardsonDirector of Business Development at 1315 CapitalMadelin DaviauDirector, Investor Relations (Private Equity) at Northleaf Capital PartnersDr. Faisal Al-KadiInvestor & Advisor at Hatch QuarterManiya AlaviInvestor at Aujan Group Holding
+ 10 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Optimal AI2
Also worked at TARA.AI1
Also worked at gradberry1
Also worked at QUT (Queensland University of Technology)11
Sam EdenInvestor at Square Peg CapitalPeter DevineInvestor at Beachhead Venture CapitalBrent WattsFounder & Managing Partner at 77 PartnersShane ArnottStrategic Advisor at Salus VenturesTimothy HuiPartner, Head of Operations at Mandalay Venture PartnersSally DillonCommunications & Content Manager at Radium Capital
+ 5 more