Jason Kuperberg (left) and Matt Shumer
The 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 awards have spotlighted the duo of Matt Shumer and Jason Kuperberg ’18, founders of OthersideAI, who got their start at the University’s Blackstone LaunchPad. The two entrepreneurs were selected in the highly competitive consumer technology category.
Their journey began during the pandemic when, as participants in the LaunchPad’s 2020 SummerStart Accelerator program, Shumer, who was a student in the Whitman School of Management, and Kuperberg, who was a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, conceptualized and brought to life OthersideAI. Shumer, CEO of the company, attributes their initial success to the invaluable support of the Blackstone LaunchPad network. Both are still volunteer entrepreneurs in residence at the LaunchPad and regularly mentor student startups. As students, they were both LaunchPad Global Innovation Fellows and Rubin Family Mentors and winners of various campus student startup competitions.
OthersideAI stands out as one of the first commercial products entirely built on GPT-3, OpenAI’s powerful and versatile AI model. The company has been actively engaged with OpenAI, being among the first to gain access to the OpenAI API to contribute to refining the groundbreaking technology while adhering to stringent safety standards.
The company gained significant recognition for its innovative use of artificial intelligence, particularly its reliance on OpenAI’s GPT-3 model. The company has been actively working with OpenAI, collaborating closely to test and refine the capabilities of GPT-3. Their involvement extends to contributing to the development of safety standards for the technology, showcasing a commitment to responsible and ethical AI usage.
OthersideAI specializes in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance and streamline various aspects of online communication and productivity. The company has developed a unique product that embeds generative AI into websites, helping with writing and simplifying tasks associated with web browsing. It can also assist with tasks such as drafting emails, writing articles, or generating other forms of written content (including, for example, this article).
The technology developed by OthersideAI extends its capabilities to help users complete simple web browsing tasks. For example, users can use technology to facilitate activities like placing a food delivery order or navigating websites more efficiently. OthersideAI operates on a subscription-based model. Users can subscribe to access the benefits of the AI-powered assistance provided by the platform.
OthersideAI has attracted significant attention and financial support. It has received funding from various sources, including such firms as Madrona, WndrCo and Hustle Fund. Angel investors, including Siqi Chen, Andrew Farah and Kendrick Lamar, have also contributed to the company’s financial backing. The company operates on a subscription model and claims to have nearly two million users benefiting from its AI-powered services.
Forbes reports that OthersideAI is on track to generate $1 million in revenue in 2023, indicating a substantial financial milestone for the young startup.
The recognition from Forbes in the consumer technology category of the 30 Under 30 awards underscores OthersideAI’s impact and innovation in the technology sector. OthersideAI’s journey from its inception at a university accelerator program to being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 showcases the dynamic nature of the startup landscape and the transformative potential of AI technologies.
Forbes, known for its prestigious 30 Under 30 awards, selects winners from thousands of online submissions, industry sources and recommendations from alumni. Shumer and Kuperberg earned their spot through an evaluation process considering factors such as funding, revenue, social impact, scale, innovation and growth potential.
Shumer and Kuperberg follow in the footsteps of previous Syracuse University LaunchPad alumni who made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, including AJ Damiano ’18 and Michael Paris ’20, original co-founders of PowerSpike, who have moved on to leadership roles in new ventures; Kelsey Davis ’19, G’20, founder of CLLCTVE; and Dylan Kim ’16, co-founder of Brevité—who were all elected for the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
LaunchPad Program Manager Indaria Jones ’14, founder of The Creators Lounge, was previously named to the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Social Impact.
“The Forbes 30 Under 30 award recognizes 30 outstanding leaders across twenty industries. This year’s list comprises a global community of young, innovative leaders reshaping the landscape of business and society,” notes Forbes. “With up to 20,000 annual nominations, being featured on this prestigious list is a testament to Shumer and Kuperberg’s remarkable contributions to the tech and AI sectors.”
For more information on this year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 winners, visit Forbes.com.
