Paul Yacoubian
Built Copy.ai. Now building new projects. Connoisseur of business models. Learning to code, creative explosions, tweeting.
I believe AI and APIs will allow us to build every idea we have. Kids will be rich by the time they graduate high school. College will be obsolete. Kids will have large families. And America will be the most populous country on Earth. 🇺🇸
Builds
- Copy.aiAI-powered copywriting platform (2020-2025). Raised $28m from Craft Ventures, Wing Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil. Acquired by FullCast. Scaled to 17m users and customers like Microsoft, JP Morgan, ServiceNow, Workday, Siemens (enterprise). CoFounder CEO. Cofounded with my bestie Chris Lu.
- CogFightProtecting cognitive security through awareness and defense tools. Helping people identify and counter manipulation tactics in digital environments.
- Slow KeysA typewriter that slows you down so you can think again. Digital minimalism meets intentional writing.
My Essays - Upcoming
- Building in Public PlaybookStep-by-step guide on how Copy.ai grew its audience and community
- Recommended Twitter FollowsCurated list of people worth following in AI and startups
- Why the best stories are written on typewritersThe power of intentional writing and thinking before typing
- Fort Knox OpSecNotes on security of American gold
- Bitcoin is Not TechnologyNon-Girardian Technologies Create Value
- Transit RevolutionTransforming urban transportation
- Back of the EnvelopeQuick calculations for big decisions
- Think BiggerExpanding mental models and ambition
- High School FutureReimagining education for the next generation
- Tech HubsGeographic centers of innovation
- Classical Liberalism DefenseCase for individual liberty and free markets
Hall of Fame Founders
- Elon MuskTesla, SpaceX, X, OpenAI
- Peter ThielPayPal, Palantir, Founders Fund
- David SacksPayPal, Craft Ventures, Yammer
- Fred SmithFedEx
- Paul GrahamY Combinator, Viaweb
- Paul Tudor JonesTudor Investment Corporation, Robin Hood Foundation
- Charlie MungerBerkshire Hathaway
- Palmer LuckeyOculus, Anduril
- Joe LonsdalePalantir, 8VC, University of Austin
Favorite Essays
Favorite Books
- Zero to Oneby Peter Thiel & Blake MastersBuilding monopolies and creating new value
- Poor Charlie's Almanackby Charlie MungerPower of mental models and application of principles
- The Pleasure of Finding Things Outby Richard FeynmanHow to truly have fun learning playfully
- Rich Dad Poor Dadby Robert KiyosakiCapitalist mindset
- Amp It Upby Frank SlootmanLessons of urgency and fighting entropy in organizations
- Tuxedo Parkby Jennet ConantHow science and innovation happen in communities
- With No Fear of Failureby Tom FatjoA CPA quits his job to become a garbage man
- The Diversity Mythby David O. Sacks & Peter ThielCritical examination of diversity policies in higher education
- Founders at Workby Jessica LivingstonStories from startup founders in their own words
- Entrepreneurial Megabucksby A. David SilverHow the greatest entrepreneurs built their fortunes
- Companies Historiesby Library Reference SetDetailed volumes on how major companies were founded
Favorite Music
- Red Hot Chili PeppersFun power and energy
- The ProdigyPure power and intensity
- Chemical BrothersSensory force fields
- Three 6 MafiaUnstoppable force as a group
- Wu-Tang ClanUnstoppable force as a group
- GlorillaAttitude
- Beastie BoysAttitude
- PitbullFun dance vibes
- TOBACCOMelding of subconcious
- RedmanKeeping it real
Angel Investments
- Circle.coCommunity platform
- NabisCannabis distribution platform
- AndurilDefense technology
- ReplitCollaborative coding platform
- FortmaticWeb3 wallet infrastructure
- Project WrenCarbon offset platform
- MicroacquireStartup acquisition marketplace
- LevelsMetabolic health tracking
- TakoData visualization
- ProbablyAI native data analysis
- BeaconsCreator monetization platform
- OffsightPrefab construction workflow management
- ZerionDeFi portfolio tracker
- DexCRM platform
- RutterCommerce API platform
- Photon CommerceE-commerce infrastructure
- LexicaAI art search engine
- Flow ClubVirtual coworking platform
- SoftrNo-code app builder
- Replicate.com (acquired)AI model hosting platform
- LightfieldAI Native CRM
- TunelarkMusic Lessons Platform
- Mainstreet (acquired)Tax credit automation
- RMFG.comCustom Metal On-Demand
- DukaanE-commerce platform for India
- Living CarbonEnhanced reforestation
- Mercury BankBanking for startups
- RipplingHR and IT management platform
- Scale.ai (acquired)Data platform for AI
- Lucky RobotsAI Simulations for Robots
- Airplane (acquired)Developer workflow platform
- Lume Health (acquired)Nurse staffing platform
- Jam.devAI bug resolution platform
- DubLink management platform
- Wiselayer (acquired)Security platform
- ColorfullHealthy Food Delivered at Work
- KledLarge datasets for AI models
- ZaniaAutonomous Compliance Automation
- NIXRSolving Addiction