From Ivory Tower to Startup Grind: One Researcher’s Leap of Faith into the AI Frontier
A former Seoul National University doctoral candidate in computer science has traded the established path of academia and Big Tech for the unpredictable world of startups, a decision fueled by a desire for more immediate impact and a rejection of the traditional “optimized” career trajectory.
The conventional route for a graduate of his caliber – a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Seoul National University followed by a doctorate specializing in AI system optimization – would have likely led to a secure position at a leading technology firm like Google, Meta, Microsoft, or Amazon, or perhaps a prestigious research institution. However, this individual chose a different path, one marked by uncertainty but driven by a compelling vision.
“Actually, looking at the paths my colleagues – professors, seniors, and juniors – have taken, or are taking, they are all connected to these top-tier tech companies and the world’s best university research institutions,” he reflected. “Even now, and when I was in graduate school, I find them impressive, enviable, and in many ways, confusing.”
The decision to leave academia wasn’t taken lightly. He acknowledged significant deliberation and the mixed reactions of family and friends. “I agonized over it for a long time,” he stated. “My family and friends supported my decision, but they were also disappointed.” The timing is particularly noteworthy, as artificial intelligence is currently experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and investment. This raised the question: why abandon a seemingly secure future in a booming field?
The core of his reasoning lies in a fundamental belief that both research and product development share the same ultimate goal: creating value that doesn’t yet exist. He argues that the difficulty level is comparable, with impactful work in either domain being challenging and less impactful work being relatively easier. However, the form in which that value is created differs significantly.
“The output of research is a paper,” he explained. “It’s not so much about the ‘writing’ itself, but about the ‘form’ of value creation – observation, hypothesis, verification, and result analysis.” Scientific research, he contends, relies heavily on rigorous methodology to ensure objectivity and universal validation. While the pursuit of knowledge within academia is “sublime,” he believes it can be difficult for researchers to experience direct, immediate rewards for their efforts. “You need a strong intrinsic motivation to wrestle with a set topic for a long time within a defined framework to gain recognition for its value.”
In contrast, product development offers a more flexible and immediate path to demonstrating value. “You can have a brilliant idea, quickly build a product, and test user reactions,” he said. “The form and business model of the product can be diverse. The proof of value is also quite intuitive, immediate, and stimulating.” He cited metrics like daily/monthly active users, quarterly revenue, investment amounts, and dividends as examples of readily available external motivators.
He acknowledges the inherent risks of the startup world. “Creating and selling a product is inherently high-risk, high-return,” he noted. “The upside is significant, but you could end up with nothing, or the value you create could be ‘zero.’”
The question of happiness, he admits, is complex. Reflecting on his journey, he realized it wasn’t a simple “academia versus industry” choice. He understands that a doctorate doesn’t guarantee freedom in product development, and entering the industry doesn’t necessarily equate to liberation. Having previously worked as an early-stage developer at a startup and later as a “component” within a mid-sized corporation, he views his current path as a continuation of a multi-dimensional, ongoing exploration.
Today, approximately 10 months after leaving his doctoral program, he serves as the founder/CEO of an AI startup and the fractional CTO of a fashion startup. Despite the constant challenges and anxieties, he strives to embrace the process. “Everyone says you should enjoy the process, but it’s one of the hardest things to actually do,” he confessed. “But since I haven’t achieved results yet, I have to enjoy it, even if it’s just self-justification!”
He concludes with a playful nod to his former peers and his current endeavors: “Microsoft, Apple, Meta, our company – let’s go.”
