Who is Aahad Patel? - Technology Innovator and Business Strategist

Early Education and Influences

Aahad Patel's journey began at Parish Episcopal School, where he achieved a 4.0 GPA and laid the foundation for his future endeavors. Located in Dallas, Texas, Parish Episcopal is known for its rigorous academic programs and commitment to developing leaders.

University of Southern California

In 2016, Aahad embarked on his higher education at the University of Southern California (USC), a prestigious institution renowned for its strong programs in both Computer Science and Business Administration. During his time at USC, Aahad was involved in various activities and societies, including USC Sigma Eta Pi, TAMID Group, Viterbi+, and served as a Resident Assistant. He also participated in the USC Global Fellows program, which is indicative of his early interest in international business and cultural exchange.

Professional Beginnings at AT&T

Aahad's professional career started at AT&T, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Dallas, Texas. He joined as a Software Engineer I in the Technology Development Program, where he worked on data insights and analysis for AT&T's entertainment services and built MVPs for business units. His performance led to an early promotion to Software Engineer II, where he continued to innovate within the FastForward Innovation Team. His contributions earned him another early promotion to Software Engineer - Professional, where he focused on building learning tools.

Global Experience with Onramp Lab

In 2018, Aahad was selected as one of 30 USC students to become a Global Fellow, which took him to Taipei City, Taiwan, to intern at Onramp Lab. This experience allowed him to delve into growth engineering and investment-related activities, further broadening his international perspective and business acumen.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and AI Exploration

Aahad's entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found a stealth startup in the healthcare and AI space, where he explored his interests and even interviewed for Y Combinator's W24 batch. This initiative demonstrates his commitment to leveraging technology for impactful solutions.

Role at SpeakEasy AI

Before joining Mana Ventures, Aahad worked as a Software Engineer at SpeakEasy AI, where he was the second engineering hire. The company, based in the New York City Metropolitan Area, aims to revolutionize meaningful discourse on the internet through longer-form content and robust AI-driven content moderation tools.

Current Position at Mana Ventures

Currently, Aahad is an Associate at Mana Ventures, a venture capital firm in San Francisco that invests in early-stage companies disrupting traditional industries with frontier technologies. His role involves analyzing startups and writing deal memos, a critical function in the venture capital ecosystem.

Notable Projects and Achievements

Throughout his career, Aahad has been involved in several projects, such as Yucca, an iOS app that aids park rangers, and AsIAm, which focuses on reproductive health education. His accomplishments include winning at SB Hacks V for the best use of Google Cloud Platform and being recognized as a USC Global Fellow and an Eagle Scout.

Aahad Patel's professional journey is a testament to his dedication to technology and business, his ability to adapt and excel in diverse environments, and his passion for making a positive impact through innovation.