Place of residence: San Francisco, CA

Position: CEO and Founder, Socket

Please describe a day in your life: Mornings, for me, usually kick off with a quick team sync-up. The majority of my day revolves mostly around collaborating with our amazing team, talking to customers, and sometimes diving into code. Work often stretches into the evenings, but I always make time for my wife, rock climbing, and, more importantly, at least 6 hours of sleep per night!

How many projects are you currently working on? Please describe them:  

I’m laser-focused on growing Socket right now. Socket helps developers and security teams to ship faster and spend less time on security busywork. Teams use Socket to safely find, audit, and manage Open Source Software at scale.

We’re helping to defend open-source software for the whole community while making it safer and more efficient for developers and companies to use OSS. I would say it’s a blend of tackling difficult security challenges all while ensuring the developer experience remains top-notch.

In your opinion, who is the most influential person/company in the world of technology these days?

It’s hard to pinpoint one, but I’d say SpaceX. They’re pushing the boundaries of space exploration while tackling real-world engineering challenges to deliver useful technology like Starlink. I find it inspiring.

If you could pick one app/product/project existing now that you wish you were involved in, what would it be?

I’m incredibly excited about the potential of recent artificial intelligence advancements – so much so that I sometimes wish I could clone myself to start multiple companies simultaneously. I think each new development in AI opens up a myriad of possibilities. It’s truly an exciting time to be in tech, with so many opportunities to make a significant impact.

How do you see technology evolving in the next ten years?

I believe the next decade will be dramatically reshaped by advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly with transformer-based and diffusion-model architectures. The development of GPT-3 marked a turning point. We’re now beginning to glimpse the potential of AI to reshape every industry and our daily lives.

This change is not just an incremental step, but a transformative leap. The full impact of these technologies is still unfolding, as larger enterprises are still trying to understand how to integrate AI into their operations best.

What would you like the industry to look like in ten years?

I would like it to be more open and focused on long-term impact rather than short-term gains.

What are the three characteristics you have that make you successful in tech?

Curiosity, persistence, and a genuine love for what I do. They have been my guiding stars.

What is the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your career?

Navigating the shift from being a developer to a CEO. It’s a whole different ball game but equally thrilling at the same time.

What is your most outstanding achievement up until today?

Building Socket. It’s not just a product; it’s a company with a mission to make software safer for everyone.

What do you wish for yourself with respect to your career?

To keep learning and growing, all while making a lasting positive impact in the tech community.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Still running Socket, hopefully having steered us to new heights.

What is your next goal?

To make the company the best and most-loved application security tool used by developers and security teams. I think we have a real shot at building an indispensable tool for hundreds of thousands of developers and security practitioners worldwide.

What are your tips for people wanting to start in the tech world?

I would say to stay curious, never stop learning, and not be afraid to dive into open-source projects. They’re an amazing way to learn, build real-world experience, and meet some amazing humans.

If you could say something to your younger self, what would it be?

Relax, you’re doing fine. Oh, and invest in Bitcoin!

What do non-tech people around you (family, friends) think you do?

They think I’m some sort of wizard who magically makes computers do cool stuff.

What is the invention of the century in your eyes?

The worldwide web.

What can’t you do without? (app/product…)

A solid text editor. It’s a simple tool, but it’s where all the magic happens.

Which famous person would you like to have dinner with and why?

Elon Musk. Regardless of what you think about him, I feel that dinner conversation would be anything but dull.

Where would you like to travel to next?

Japan. It’s a fascinating blend of tradition and modern tech. Also, I haven’t visited in a few years and would love to go back for some incredible sushi soon.

If you were asked to stay on a deserted island for six months, what three things would you take with you?

My laptop, a solar panel array, and a Starlink.

Do you have a person who influences or motivates you?

My parents. They have always supported me.

What is the greatest miss? (you thought it would never work, but it turned out to be a great success)

Snapchat. I met the founder, Evan Spiegel, in a college class. After he explained the disappearing messages app he was building, I remember thinking this was a completely pointless product that no one would want. How wrong I was.

What did you dream of creating/inventing/doing as a child?

Making my own video game. That’s what got me into programming in the first place.

How did COVID-19 change the way people view technological development?

Technology keeps us connected and functioning. It’s the only reason the economy didn’t implode even more than it did during lockdowns.

And finally, how important is company culture to you?

Super important. It’s the heart and soul of a company. It defines how we work and interact and the character of the products we build.