Next Up — ML For Investing

Shanif Dhanani
Aug 9, 2017 · 3 min read

The past few years have been interesting. Enlightening, in many ways, really. Following a couple of years in a startup where I learned an incredible amount, I just finished up a few years at a big company where I learned a few more things.

I’ve also had a experiences that have really changed the way I approach life.

These days, I’m much more cognizant of how little time there is to get anything done on this planet, and how important it is to spend the time that I do have doing something I care about, around the people that I care about. It’s so easy to waste our lives, look back, and wonder why the heck we didn’t do the things we really wanted to do.

And I’m pretty lucky, because I’m now in a position to be able to try to do that.

When I first moved to New York for business school, I had visions of creating a business that introduced the financial power of stock options to retail investors like myself. I envisioned a world where people who were struggling with their 9–5s could earn some additional income, allowing them to gain a little bit more freedom and flexibility in their lives. At the time, I wasn’t dedicated to the idea of an options business; I just knew that I wanted to start something.

I now want to start something again. But this time I know that it has to be something I really, really care about.

So now, after a few years of meeting amazing people, a few years of industry experience and startup struggles, a lot of learning, a better understanding of machine learning, business, sales, and marketing, I’m going to give it a go.

I know that it’s possible to help people invest better using data-driven methods. I know that options are underused and can help people generate additional income for themselves. I know that it’s possible to use algorithmic models to help make better decisions when it comes to investing.

So this time, it’s a bit different. I’m a lot older, that’s for sure, but I have a team of really smart people who are great at what they do and are passionate about building something. I have a pretty clear vision of what I need to build and how I can leverage it to accomplish my goal of smarter investing. I have the time and resources to dedicate myself to something for an extended period of time. And I know that I need to be working on something I really care about. On top of all that, the work itself is fascinating.

So wish me luck. Going forward, and maybe after a bit of downtime to get my mind right after working at a big company, I’m going to be working to accomplish something that’s been in my head for a decade, something that I’ve wanted and needed myself, and something that I’m hoping can help people achieve some financial freedom of their own.

Shanif Dhanani

Written by

Co-founder & CEO of Apteo. We’re a fintech startup that’s building a data science platform for everyone. Sign up free at www.apteo.co.

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