A Journey Built on Resilience

Ahsan’s career began in finance and auditing, where he worked at one of the UK’s largest audit firms. Here, he first encountered AI’s transformative potential watching how it streamlined complex business processes and opened new avenues for efficiency. But Ahsan’s path was anything but straightforward. Despite reaching the final stages of interviews with some of the world’s top firms, rejection was a recurring theme.

Instead of letting these setbacks define him, Ahsan reframed them as redirection. “Each rejection was a nudge,” he reflects, “pushing me to create something of my own.” This shift in mindset sparked his move toward entrepreneurship, determined to build solutions that would not only advance his career but also create opportunities for others.

The Birth of Chase IQ

The turning point came with the realization that marketing had lost its soul. For many businesses, marketing had become transactional a mechanical process of generating leads, pushing ads, and hoping for conversions. Ahsan envisioned something different: marketing that inspired, connected, and drove growth with purpose.

Drawing from his corporate experience with AI-powered projects, he launched Chase IQ, a company designed to bridge the gap between people and technology. “AI isn’t here to replace people,” he insists, “it’s here to empower them.” With this philosophy, Chase IQ set out to redefine client acquisition, moving beyond surface-level metrics to create campaigns that resonate emotionally and deliver measurable growth.

Marketing with Meaning

What makes Chase IQ unique is its belief in human + AI collaboration. Instead of chasing clicks, the company builds campaigns that tell stories and inspire action. Its systems learn continuously—not just from data, but from human behavior and sentiment allowing businesses to scale their growth without losing the human connection that drives loyalty.

Currently, Chase IQ primarily operates within the real estate sector and has a growing presence in tech, where its data-driven, emotion-led campaigns are delivering measurable results. Its pay-on-results model shares the risk with clients, proving that AI-powered marketing can guarantee tangible outcomes.

Under Ahsan’s leadership, the company is on track to hit $5 million in revenue within three years, a testament to both its scalability and client trust.

Leading with Vision and Grit

Ahsan’s leadership philosophy blends visionary thinking with operational rigor. He believes that great leaders inspire teams to see beyond obstacles while also staying grounded enough to roll up their sleeves and get involved when needed. His own experiences of repeated rejection taught him humility and perseverance qualities that shape the culture of Chase IQ today.

“Leadership is not about a title,” he says. “It’s about responsibility and persistence.”

Turning Failure into Fuel

Chase IQ was not built overnight. It was forged through failure system errors, false starts, and sleepless nights. Each setback became a building block, each lesson a stepping stone toward the company’s current success. For Ahsan, failure was not the opposite of success but its foundation.

The Future of Marketing: Human + AI

Looking ahead, Ahsan is excited about how AI is evolving to understand not just data points, but human emotions and intent. This shift is redefining marketing, turning it from a numbers-driven exercise into an adaptive, emotionally intelligent strategy.

At Chase IQ, AI handles optimization and data analysis, freeing humans to focus on creativity, strategy, and emotional resonance. “The future is about partnership,” Ahsan explains. “Human creativity combined with AI’s scalability creates outcomes far greater than either could achieve alone.”

Scaling for Global Impact

The next phase for Chase IQ is strategic expansion both geographically and across industries. While the company currently focuses on real estate and tech, Ahsan envisions Chase IQ leading AI-driven client acquisition in multiple sectors worldwide. The goal is not just revenue growth but empowering businesses everywhere to create opportunities, jobs, and meaningful impact.

Words to Live By

Ahsan sums up his philosophy with a single line: “AI is for people, with people, not against them.”

Advice for the Next Generation

To those entering the AI and IT space, Ahsan’s advice is to focus on purpose over hype. “Technology should solve real human problems,” he says. For budding entrepreneurs, his message is simple but powerful: embrace failure. “I failed countless times before building Chase IQ into what it is today. Every failure is a step closer to your breakthrough. Stay resilient, stay visionary, and stay true to why you started.”

Connect with Chase IQ

Website: ChaseIQ.ai
Facebook: ChaseIQ
LinkedIn: Chase IQ LinkedIn Profile

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, Jeff Torello, Founder and CTO of Sinjun AI, stands as a beacon of innovation and integrity. With a 30-year career rooted in technology Jeff has transitioned from engineering complex solutions to leading a consultancy that’s reshaping how businesses harness AI. Jeff’s journey is a testament to his belief that technology should empower without compromising privacy. Through Sinjun AI, he’s building a future where AI and cybersecurity converge to deliver transformative, ethical solutions.

A Career Forged in Technology

Jeff Torello’s three-decade career in technology is a story of evolution and impact. Spending 20 years at Intel, he honed his expertise in product engineering and cybersecurity, working on high-stakes projects that demanded precision and innovation. Over the past decade, his focus shifted to leadership, guiding technical product development for defense contractors on Department of Defense-level security deployments. “I’ve seen technologies come and go,” Jeff reflects, “some transforming workflows, others fading into obscurity.” This ringside seat to the tech world’s highs and lows has shaped his perspective on AI’s potential to revolutionize industries if wielded responsibly.

His passion for solving complex problems and his firsthand experience with AI’s transformative power inspired him to found Sinjun AI in 2021. “We’re at a strategic inflection point,” he says, “where AI can change how we work and interact with technology.” Jeff’s mission is clear: to guide businesses through this shift while prioritizing security and privacy, ensuring AI’s benefits don’t come at the cost of trust.

The Birth of Sinjun AI

The founding of Sinjun AI wasn’t a grand, premeditated plan but a natural extension of Jeff’s problem-solving ethos. “As an engineer, I thrive on tackling complex challenges,” he explains. Frustrated by seeing companies struggle with solvable issues, he launched Sinjun AI to offer tailored solutions. What began as a side project quickly grew into a thriving consultancy. Adopting a “crawl, walk, run” approach, Jeff started with a single client, refining his processes before scaling up. “I was surprised to see a business blossom,” he admits, crediting his methodical growth and client-focused mindset for Sinjun AI’s success.

Today, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Sinjun AI is a testament to Jeff’s vision of turning passion into impact. By focusing on collaboration and innovation, the company has become a trusted partner for organizations navigating the complexities of AI adoption.

A Mission Anchored in Privacy

Sinjun AI’s core mission is to empower clients to leverage AI’s transformative potential while safeguarding privacy and security. “Privacy isn’t an afterthought; it’s foundational,” Jeff emphasizes. In an industry where vendors often prioritize speed over security, Sinjun AI stands apart by embedding ethical principles into every solution. As AI evolves, so does the company’s focus, now encompassing agentic AI and Model Context Protocol (MCP) security to address emerging needs.

Jeff’s commitment to privacy stems from a career-long advocacy for responsible technology use. “Many clients aren’t fully aware of the risks they face,” he notes. Sinjun AI not only delivers cutting-edge AI solutions but also educates clients on cybersecurity, ensuring informed decisions that protect their data. This dual role as consultant and educator sets the company apart in a crowded AI landscape.

Innovations That Redefine Interaction

What makes Sinjun AI unique? Its unwavering focus on privacy and user-centric design. While many tech firms monetize data at the expense of user trust, Sinjun AI takes a different path. “We believe you can generate revenue without selling personal data,” Jeff asserts. This philosophy drives their groundbreaking work, such as a custom graph-based Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) solution powered by an MCP front-end. This technology allows clients to “talk” to their documents using natural language, streamlining information access while maintaining stringent privacy standards. “It’s about making technology intuitive and secure,” Jeff says, highlighting how this innovation enhances productivity without compromising ethics.

Sinjun AI’s approach is as much about responsibility as it is about innovation. By prioritizing user experience, polished data, and ethical design, they’re creating solutions that empower without exploiting.

Milestones of Impact

Under Jeff’s leadership, Sinjun AI has achieved remarkable milestones. Their privacy-respecting RAG solution enables secure, conversational document interactions, protecting sensitive data while enhancing usability. The recent integration of an MCP server front-end has further streamlined this experience, making it more intuitive. “These advancements reflect our commitment to secure, user-friendly AI,” Jeff says. Another key achievement is Sinjun AI’s financial independence. Being 100% self-funded allows the company to remain vendor-agnostic, tailoring solutions to clients’ needs using open-source and cost-effective tools. This flexibility ensures maximum value without sacrificing quality, setting a new standard for client-centric AI consulting.

Balancing Vision and Technical Expertise

Jeff’s leadership philosophy is simple yet profound: “Take care of your people, and they’ll take care of everything else.” By fostering a supportive environment, he cultivates a motivated team whose enthusiasm enhances client interactions. His “Win and Have Fun” mantra ensures success is paired with enjoyment, creating a culture of camaraderie and purpose. As Founder and CTO, Jeff balances visionary leadership with hands-on oversight by empowering his team while staying engaged in solution design. “I love brainstorming ‘what if’ scenarios,” he says, encouraging a collaborative space where mistakes are learning opportunities. Sinjun AI’s mantra “Fail, Learn, Improve, Repeat” drives innovation and resilience.

Overcoming Communication Challenges

One of Jeff’s biggest challenges has been translating complex technical concepts for clients. “It’s easy to get lost in jargon,” he admits. Sinjun AI counters this by prioritizing simplicity, asking, “How can we make this clearer?” This focus on clear communication builds trust, empowers clients to make informed decisions, and enhances the effectiveness of their AI and cybersecurity solutions.

The Future of AI and IT

Jeff is thrilled about the trajectory of AI, particularly agentic AI and MCP. “We’re just scratching the surface of what AI can do,” he says. Agentic AI promises more intuitive user interactions, while MCP streamlines AI integration with business data, boosting productivity. These trends, Jeff believes, will transform workplaces, making AI a seamless partner in daily operations.

A Hybrid Workforce Vision

Jeff envisions a workplace where humans and AI collaborate as teammates. “Leaders will manage mixed teams, with AI handling repetitive tasks and humans focusing on creativity and strategy,” he predicts. This hybrid model will enhance efficiency and innovation, provided organizations embrace AI as a partner and invest in upskilling employees to work alongside it.

What’s Next for Sinjun AI

In 2025, Sinjun AI aims to deliver agentic capabilities and expand its service portfolio while staying at the forefront of AI and cybersecurity advancements. “We’re always learning and testing new tools,” Jeff says, emphasizing a proactive approach to innovation. Privacy and security will remain core, ensuring clients can adopt AI confidently. Jeff’s personal goal is to continue shaping a future where AI drives efficiency and ethical progress.

A Guiding Philosophy

Jeff’s approach is encapsulated in his words: “Embrace intelligent risks, learn from every mistake, and strive for continuous improvement because even the smallest progress each week can lead to significant transformation over time.” This mindset fuels Sinjun AI’s mission to innovate responsibly.

Advice for Aspiring Innovators

For those entering AI and IT, Jeff’s advice is direct: “Don’t wait for the perfect moment, jump in and experiment.” Mistakes are learning opportunities, and focusing on adding value is key. For entrepreneurs, resilience and adaptability are vital. “Stay curious, build a supportive network, and keep pushing forward,” he urges.

A Legacy of Impact

Jeff Torello and Sinjun AI are not just navigating the AI revolution they’re shaping it. By blending innovation with an unwavering commitment to privacy, they’re building a future where technology empowers without compromise. As Jeff continues to lead with vision and purpose, his influence is setting a new standard for what AI can achieve.

Mikael Karamaniants, Chief Business Officer of DigiNeat LLC and DigiNeat Smart Technologies LLC, is a force of nature in the AI and IT landscape. Growing up in a family of engineers, he was coding before most of his peers could spell “algorithm.” Now, leading DigiNeat from its dual headquarters in Yerevan, Armenia, and Los Angeles, California, Mikael is redefining how businesses leverage AI to achieve unprecedented efficiency. Featuring in The Tycoon Magazine’s 2025 issue as one of the “Visionaries Powering Innovation in AI & IT,” his journey from a self-taught tech prodigy to a global innovator is as inspiring as it is impactful.

Q: Could you walk us through your professional journey and what brought you to your current role as Chief Business Officer at DigiNeat?

A: I come from a family of engineers. My father, Bernard Karamaniants, instilled in me and my brother a love for technology and computers, so already in school I knew much more than my computer science teachers. At the institute, they immediately noticed that I knew several programming languages, so many lecturers who knew me asked me to substitute for them. Also at that time, I was very interested in automated trading systems that allowed, according to a given algorithm based on technical analysis, to make buying and selling transactions using the MQL programming language. After creating one system that successfully proved itself in the stock market, I sold it and received the initial capital with which I opened my first IT company.

There were many mistakes made by a young manager (myself), so along the way there were many companies where I held leadership positions. Along the way, I became the author of a patent, became the chairman of the Guild of Digital Technologies, was the head of the Standardization and Certification Committee, and the author of cited scientific articles in the field of management. All this led me to the current state when DigiNeat LLC was opened, which is winning more and more hearts of our customers.

Q: What is the core mission and vision of DigiNeat? How is the organization redefining business efficiency through AI and digital transformation?

A: Our company is engaged in custom software development from scratch to product release and further support, fintech projects, banks, insurance companies, media, telecommunications companies and more. Embedded in the DNA of our corporate culture is to achieve more with fewer resources, so we ensure maximum optimization of our customers’ expenses, especially by applying AI in development technologies. Moreover, we already have projects with which we have been working for over 12 years and have created their entire digital infrastructure from scratch. In fact, these companies have become giants and have received many prestigious international awards, including thanks to our reactive technologies.

We use AI in many aspects of development:

1. Interface design
2. Rendering
3. Documentation development
4. Optimization of business processes and routine work
5. Optimization of client business processes
6. Reducing the staff of client projects through AI automation of routine work
7. Increasing sales and finding customers
8. Security system with intelligent detection of dangerous user actions
9. Document recognition systems for KYC procedures
10. Automated AI bots and much more

Our task is to save our customers a lot of money, as much as possible both at the start of the project and constantly during its development. We have a clear understanding that our “tomorrow” is the successful future of our customers.

Q: In a competitive AI and IT landscape, what makes DigiNeat LLC distinct in terms of its technology, philosophy, or approach? What specific solutions does DigiNeat offer?

A: First of all, we always use the most advanced and effective technologies. We have a dedicated implementation department that monitors the latest trends, and if it is decided that these new technologies will positively affect the development of our clients’ projects, they are necessarily implemented and our specialists receive training.

The approach is very simple – we must implement the most optimal solution for the client necessary to solve business problems with minimal costs.

The company has a large number of developments, but we do not offer them as boxed solutions, since there is an individual approach to each client, and solutions are individually selected for each client, which allows you to make them as efficient as possible.

Q: How do you ensure that project implementation at DigiNeat goes beyond tech hype and truly aligns with measurable business outcomes for your clients across various industries?

A: This is a very good question. Currently, in the wave of hype, all companies are trying to present themselves in the most favorable light and show that they are using AI, but as a rule, this is not true.

For us, AI-first is not just words, but a way to optimize not only the costs of our customers, but also our own. Here is a simple example:

One of our fintech projects needs to implement a continuous KYC procedure and make it fast. And speed for such projects is one of the competitive advantages. Initially, this function was performed by 6 employees for our client. Then the flow of incoming clients increased and 6 employees stopped coping, and the waiting time for the verification procedure increased to 3 hours, which is very bad in this area. Our company proposed to transfer this process to AI. As a result, out of 6 employees, now only 2 act as verifiers in complex situations, and all the rest of the routine work is performed by AI. The incoming flow of clients has increased almost 10 times, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been saved per year, and the speed of document verification has increased to 1 minute.

Q: How do you see traditional IT disciplines (web, mobile, enterprise software) evolving as AI becomes central to business innovation?

A: As AI becomes a central element of business innovation, it’s radically reshaping traditional IT disciplines. We’re seeing heightened automation and efficiency as AI takes over routine tasks, enabling IT professionals to focus on strategic initiatives. Personalization is reaching new heights as AI algorithms analyze user data to deliver tailored experiences, boosting engagement.

Decision-making is becoming increasingly data-driven, thanks to AI’s ability to analyze vast datasets for valuable insights. This fosters new business models rooted in AI platforms that connect buyers and sellers and streamline operations. As AI handles the routine, IT professionals can channel their energies toward creativity and strategy, driving digital transformation and devising innovative solutions.

Developing data skills in data science, machine learning, and AI is key. However, as AI gains prominence, ethical considerations become paramount. IT professionals need to develop ethical guidelines to ensure AI is used responsibly and fairly. Overall, AI’s integration into IT demands adaptation, new skill acquisition, and a recognition of ethical implications, shaping the industry’s future.

Q: State your major achievements and DigiNeat’s achievements under your leadership as Chief Business Officer.

A: I am the founder of the company and its ideologue.

The company has developed several of its own startups, which are already used by millions of users in total.

We have actually implemented the AI-first approach.

The research department always keeps the company on trend with advanced technologies.

Thanks to our well-honed corporate culture, our staff turnover is from 1 to 3%.

We are partners and sponsors of Strapi, a very promising content management system based on reactive technologies.

We are a certified Nuxt agency and sponsors of this advanced technology. There are less than 20 companies in the world that are ambassadors of this technology.

We have opened our representative office in the USA in California.

We are a very rare company that develops for Smart TV devices – this is a very complex development associated with a very large fleet of low-performance devices, by the way, we also manage to use AI there.

Q: How would you describe your leadership philosophy, As the Chief Business Officer, how do you align long-term business strategy with cutting-edge tech capabilities?

A: I always ask myself the same questions. Do I like how we do it? Do I like the result? What would I like to improve?

In general, these three questions always push me forward to new heights.

Q: What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered on your professional journey and how you overcame them?

A: We face challenges every day, these are the deadlines set for us by clients and the main thing is to prove first of all to myself that we have done everything as well and efficiently as possible. I am a maximalist and do not tolerate shoddy work, which is one of the reasons why we are having this dialogue with you now. As Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.

Q: Brief us about the current industry scenario and what trends or technologies in AI and IT are you personally most excited about?

A: The current industry landscape is marked by an explosive interest in AI, particularly in generative AI, capable of creating various types of content, revolutionizing marketing automation and software development. Companies are eager to optimize existing processes with AI, from automating routine tasks to forecasting demand, yielding tangible results.

Furthermore, there’s a growing awareness of the ethical dimensions of AI, driving the development of tools for bias detection and ensuring transparency. The advancement of edge computing enables AI models to run on devices, crucial for low-latency applications like autonomous vehicles. Overall, AI is maturing and becoming more practical, transitioning from experimentation to real-world implementation, with new tools simplifying its development.

Q: What’s next for DigiNeat and yourself? Are there any upcoming launches, initiatives, or strategic pivots you’re excited about?

A: Yes, we are increasing sales of our services in North America and Europe. We are preparing a large ready-made solution for banks to increase their level of service and I hope that in the next 1.5 years we will be able to present them on the market.

In general, we are developing very actively and growing in staff.

Q: Provide a one-line quote that best describes your approach to business and your vision.

A: Business is devotion to your customer. Do more than you can, build transparent and honest relationships, do your work so that you can be proud of it later.

Q: What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs and tech leaders looking to build purpose-driven, AI-powered enterprises in today’s fast-evolving world?

A: Don’t try to apply AI everywhere just because it’s fashionable. Think first about how to optimize the process, whether AI can really be applied to it, whether it will lead to cost reduction and whether it will be effective in terms of speed.

Don’t forget that your decisions can either throw you back from a successful result or bring you closer to it. Learn to listen to your customers and analyze their problems. Analyze how the technology market is changing and where the wind is blowing.

Q: Any other details you want to highlight?

A: The road will be mastered by the one who walks it.