Earlier this month, we hosted early-stage founders at the Initialized SF office for a dinner discussion on AI and automation. Leading the conversation were Ivan Lee, cofounder and CEO of Datasaur, and Gautam Bose, cofounder and CTO of Automat AI, who shared their experiences building AI-driven solutions for real-world business needs.

Key Themes

1. The rapid evolution of AI tools

Ivan highlighted how quickly the AI landscape is evolving. “The number of foundation models is exploding, and each is bringing unique strengths,” he explained. The challenge for businesses now is selecting the right tools and keeping pace with rapid advancements, as the field evolves faster than ever.

2. Custom LLMs for enterprise adoption

Datasaur’s approach focuses on building tailored solutions that help enterprises securely adopt AI. Ivan shared how companies are moving beyond generalized tools and adopting custom LLMs that align with specific needs, creating real ROI. He noted, “Organizations aren’t choosing a single model—they’re building solutions across departments based on use case.”

3. AI-driven RPA to reduce costs and improve efficiency

Gautam discussed how Automat is using AI to transform robotic process automation (RPA). With traditional RPA tools costing upwards of $60,000 per license, Automat’s approach leverages AI and open-source models to make automation faster, cheaper, and more accessible. A case study on trade license verification illustrated how AI can tackle complex workflows while driving down costs.

Practical Advice for Founders

1. Solve real problems

Both speakers emphasized the importance of solving specific customer pain points rather than chasing AI trends. “Customers aren’t coming to us for AI—they’re coming to us to get work done,” Gautam said. The focus should be on delivering results, whether through efficiency gains or cost reductions.

2. Guide adoption within teams and customers

Ivan shared that even at AI-focused companies, adoption can require effort. For example, Datasaur hosted internal brown bags to train their engineers on using AI tools effectively. Similarly, Gautam stressed the importance of working closely with clients to manage change and prove the value of new tools.

3. Build for flexibility

With AI models evolving so quickly, founders should avoid locking into a single ecosystem. Ivan recommended using tools that enable easy comparisons of models based on performance, cost, and speed. This flexibility allows companies to adapt to the best available technology.

4. Start small and expand

Automat’s approach is to focus on solving one problem at a time before scaling to more complex use cases. Gautam described how starting with smaller automations helps demonstrate value quickly while building toward broader solutions.

5. Focus on adoption, not perfection

AI solutions don’t need to be flawless to create impact. Gautam explained that customers prioritize outcomes over technical precision. This practical mindset has helped Automat deliver meaningful results while refining its technology over time.

The dinner provided founders with actionable insights into how AI can create measurable value for their businesses. A big thank you to Ivan, Gautam, and all the attendees for joining us. We’re looking forward to continuing these discussions in our dinner series.