Startup Spotlight #56: Obviously AI

Obviously AI is a no-code machine learning tool for business analysts to quickly build and run predictive AI models in minutes without writing code.

Nov 18, 2020

Latest F2F Case Study - Case Study: The Index Cofounders Focused On Creating A "Minimum Loveable Product" In Their Product-Market Fit Journey

I got the chance to speak with Nirman Dave, co-founder and CEO of Obviously AI, about what he’s working on at his startup, and any advice he has for emerging entrepreneurs.

Obviously AI is a no-code machine learning tool for business analysts to quickly build and run predictive AI models in minutes, without writing code. Dave loves working on game-changing ideas, majored in ML and Behavioral Econ, and started two VC backed startups.

Startup Spotlight: Obviously AI

Obviously AI cofounders (from left to right): Nirman Dave and Tapojit Debnath Tapu.

Problem: Predictive analytics and machine learning problems are everywhere, but the talent is not. That's why most established SMBs that want to benefit from machine learning, don't have a data science team or cannot scale one.

Market: The total accessible market (TAM) is $2B in the US, which reflects SMBs that don't have a data science team or cannot scale one.

Solution: No-Code Machine Learning tool to enable anyone to quickly build and run ML models on their data, without a Ph.D. in data science.

Team: Nirman (CEO) is a second-time founder w background in ML and Behavioral Econ. Tapojit (CTO) led predictive analytics at B8ta with a background in ML and Linguistics from MIT & Hampshire.

Recent Success:

Dave: At Obviously AI, we have found success at two major instances - building a breakthrough product and reaching the right audiences to enable them with no-code AI. To build a breakthrough product, we decided to put an impeccable focus on user interface and design. We believe it's extremely critical to truly democratizing AI and putting it into the hands of the everyday user. Because of this deep commitment to interaction design, Obviously AI was recently named among the top 5 ML tools to use alongside companies like Google & Amazon. Next, we had to put this into the hands of our most compelled users: business analysts. To do so, we decided to become a part of their data journey - that in most cases started with a simple Google search. From writing the first blog post article in late 2019, we have now partnered with companies like Airtable, Typeform, Udemy, and Greyatom to deliver the best in class content for users looking to get started with AI. All of this, without the need for beginner users to write code. Go ahead, Google "No-Code Machine Learning" and you'll see.

Recent Struggle:

Dave: One of the key roadblocks to AI adoption has always been education. How can we enable people to readily understand what AI means in business, and how it can be fully leveraged without code? We try to make it critical that users understand what's possible and what's not with AI and that they readily discard their existing conventional ideas. This has been a continuous battle we fight as more and more businesses outside the silicon valley bubble, turn to data science for problem-solving.

Founder Advice:

Dave: As founders, it is very easy to spot problems in the world around us, but often becomes an inner battle thinking which problem to take on and what business to build. What I've experienced is that often the problem you set out to solve or the product you set out to build, is never the same problem/product you end up working on. In almost all cases, the market often dictates what you should build. Therefore, it's important to just start, because, in the process of building what you think you want to build, you learn what you should be building instead.

Three Cool Founders You Should Know About:

Dave: Here are three founders you should check out next!

Akilesh Bapu, Founder of Deepscribe: DeepScribe's goal is to empower physicians with the tools they need to improve both efficiency and efficacy, and better patient outcomes by increasing the clarity, trust, and understanding they have with their physician.
Rama Veeraragoo, Founder of DocuVision.ai: DocuVision helps companies find and redact personal information in their emails/docs.
Sohil Patel, Founder of Oizom: Oizom builds data-driven solutions for natural resources like air, water, soil, and energy.

Who should I profile next? Leave your suggestion in the comments:

Why you should become a paid subscriber to Founder to Founder:

Get connected to elite tech entrepreneurs through in-depth Founder Case Studies
Receive exclusive documents crafted by top founders on how to build your company
Access a growing audience of venture capitalists, product managers, software engineers, and people passionate about technology
Hear real, raw experiences from entrepreneurs that you won’t see anywhere else

Previous F2F Case Studies:

Latest Forbes Articles:

If you enjoyed this article, feel free to check out my other work on LinkedIn. Follow me on Twitter @fredsoda, on Medium @fredsoda, and on Instagram @fred_soda.