In October 2022, the tech world was abuzz with news of mass layoffs at Twitter following Elon Musk’s acquisition. Amidst this turmoil, two individuals emerged outside Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters, each carrying boxes and claiming to be recently dismissed employees. One of them introduced himself as Rahul Ligma, a name that quickly became synonymous with a viral prank that fooled several major media outlets. However, behind this jest was a real individual with a genuine passion for technology and innovation: Rahul Sonwalkar.
The Man Behind the Prank
Rahul Sonwalkar, now 27, is a seasoned software engineer with a rich background in the tech industry. Before his infamous prank, Sonwalkar honed his skills at Uber, where he contributed to various engineering projects. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to participate in Y Combinator, a prestigious startup accelerator, where he initially worked on a logistics startup. Although that venture didn’t pan out, it set the stage for his next big endeavor.
Introducing Julius.ai
In the wake of his previous experiences, Sonwalkar founded Julius.ai, an AI-driven data analysis platform designed to make data science accessible to a broader audience. Launched approximately two years ago, Julius.ai empowers users to analyze and visualize extensive datasets and perform predictive modeling using natural language prompts. This user-friendly approach has resonated with many, leading to over 2 million registered users to date.
I wanted to build something that would make data science very accessible to everyone, Sonwalkar shared in an interview with TechCrunch.
Harvard Business School’s Endorsement
The efficacy and potential of Julius.ai caught the attention of academia, notably Harvard Business School (HBS). Iavor Bojinov, an assistant professor at HBS, recognized the tool’s capabilities and saw an opportunity to integrate it into the school’s curriculum. After conducting a comprehensive comparison across various platforms, including ChatGPT, Julius.ai emerged as the top performer.
We had done a head-to-head comparison across a number of platforms, including ChatGPT, and Julius ended up performing the best, Bojinov stated.
This endorsement led to Julius.ai being incorporated into HBS’s new mandatory course, Data Science and AI for Leaders, aiming to equip future business leaders with essential data science skills.
Growth and Investment
The success of Julius.ai has not gone unnoticed in the investment community. Sonwalkar secured a seed funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners’ Talia Goldberg. While specific details of the investment remain undisclosed, this financial backing is poised to fuel further development and expansion of the platform.
Beyond the Prank
Reflecting on his Rahul Ligma prank, Sonwalkar acknowledges that it garnered significant attention. However, he emphasizes that his primary focus has always been on technological innovation and entrepreneurship. The prank, while memorable, was a brief detour in his journey toward making data science more accessible and impactful.
Conclusion
Rahul Sonwalkar’s trajectory from a viral prankster to the founder of a groundbreaking AI startup underscores the multifaceted nature of individuals in the tech industry. His story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of one’s passions. As Julius.ai continues to grow and make strides in the realm of data science, Sonwalkar’s journey offers inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and technologists worldwide.
