Indian-Origin Engineer Quits Apple Dream Job to Co-Found AI Startup with Father
An Indian-origin technology professional has made the bold decision to leave his coveted position at Apple Inc., describing it as his "dream job," in order to co-found an artificial intelligence startup alongside his father. Akshat Prakash, aged 27, now serves as the Chief Technology Officer of Camb.ai, a company dedicated to developing advanced AI tools for speech recognition and translation services.
From Siri Team to Startup Founder
Prakash explained that his choice to depart from Apple stemmed from a deep-seated ambition to build something independently. He emphasized that collaborating with his father has proven to be a uniquely effective partnership. "It has its pros and cons, but it's completely worth it because there was no better cofounder for my dad or me," he stated in an interview with Business Insider.
Prior to launching Camb.ai, Prakash spent two years working on the Siri team at Apple's California headquarters. He was part of a specialized unit known as the Web Answers Team, where he contributed to early versions of a system similar to ChatGPT. He fondly referred to this role as "my dream job," highlighting the valuable experience gained in cutting-edge AI development.
A Journey from New Delhi to Global Entrepreneurship
Akshat Prakash's path began in a small village near New Delhi, India. His family relocated to Ireland during his childhood before returning to India and eventually moving to the United States in 2016. He pursued an undergraduate degree in computer science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, with minors in Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.
During his university years, Prakash completed summer internships at several prominent technology firms, including Maven Machines, Intuit, and Microsoft. These paid internships were transformative for him as an international student, demonstrating the lucrative opportunities within the technology industry.
Overcoming Language Barriers and Investor Skepticism
Despite his success at Apple, Prakash always harbored entrepreneurial aspirations, though he was initially uncertain about the exact direction. A pivotal moment occurred early in his time in the US when he struggled to understand various English accents, despite being fluent in the language. He recalled an incident at Starbucks where he faced communication difficulties, which sparked his interest in translation-focused technology.
In early 2022, Prakash began exploring ideas and building prototypes. He approached investors and venture capitalists but faced challenges in being taken seriously due to his youthful appearance. "I looked young, and the VCs and investors didn't take me seriously," he admitted. To bolster credibility, he involved his father in discussions to help present the vision more effectively.
Father-Son Partnership and Company Launch
Prakash's father believed strongly in the concept and decided to leave his own job to join the venture full-time. Camb.ai was officially incorporated as a Delaware C Corporation in the United States in late 2022 and launched on January 1, 2023, with Prakash as CTO and his father as Chief Executive Officer.
Early funding was secured from TRTL Ventures, a Singapore-based deep-tech fund, which provided the initial investment. The founding team initially consisted of six members, including research and development engineers and sales staff. Both Prakash and his father opted not to draw salaries in the early stages, instead using their personal savings to support the team.
Growth and Expansion to $4 Million in Funding
Camb.ai later successfully raised a seed round of approximately $4 million. This capital injection enabled the company to expand its operations, purchase essential computing infrastructure, and scale its artificial intelligence models. The startup broadened its focus to include real-time translation and speech services, catering to a growing market demand.
In January 2024, the startup achieved significant traction by securing a contract to dub post-match interviews at the Australian Open tennis tournament. This high-profile project generated further interest from sports and media companies, enhancing Camb.ai's reputation in the industry.
Global Operations and Personal Reflections
Prakash now divides his time between California and the United Arab Emirates, where his father is based. He maintains a demanding schedule, often working long hours to meet with teams and clients across different global time zones. His hybrid work schedule frequently extends into late evenings in the UAE to accommodate international collaborations.
Reflecting on the journey, Prakash shared, "My dad believed in my vision, and it was natural for him to quit his then job and become full-time at Camb.ai." He acknowledged that leaving a stable job was challenging, especially given his traditional upbringing where secure employment is highly valued. "I could've continued to work at Apple, but I would've become and remained a cog in the system," he remarked, underscoring his desire for greater impact.
Camb.ai continues to expand its offerings in AI translation and speech technology, serving clients across media, sports, and other sectors. Prakash attributes the startup's success to a blend of his academic background, personal experiences, and a commitment to addressing real-world challenges in communication and language understanding.
