Entrepreneur in Residence - Karya X
About Us: Karya’s mission is to leverage the AI revolution to create dignified earning and learning opportunities for low-income communities across the world. In India, our smartphone-based digital work platform has enabled over 120,000 people to build language datasets and evaluate AI models while earning fair wages. With pilots in Kenya and Ethiopia and partnerships with leading AI labs, we are advancing language technologies for underrepresented communities. By combining dignified digital work with frontier AI innovation, Karya hopes to build a new AI economy that is equitable, inclusive, and community-driven. We’ve already proven that high-quality AI data can be a vehicle for economic opportunity. Now, we are looking for a visionary builder to help us answer our next big moonshot: What are the next frontiers of dignified digital work that underserved communities can perform via a mobile phone, for which the global market is ready to pay fair and ethical wages? We aren't looking for a manager; we are looking for a founder-at-heart. As an Entrepreneur in Residence, you will be given the resources, the infrastructure, and the mission-critical "problem statements" to experiment, fail fast, and eventually scale a new business vertical from scratch. This is a high-autonomy, high-impact role designed for someone who thrives in the "chaos" of early-stage discovery. The ideal candidate would have previously founded a startup or were a member of the core founding team (first 5 employees) of a 0-to-1 venture. You know exactly what it takes to build something out of nothing. If you're excited about closing complex deals that directly fund dignified work for underserved communities, and want to shape GTM strategy at a mission-driven company, we'd love to hear from you. Key Responsibilities Moonshot Experimentation : Taking raw hypotheses about digital labor—ranging from micro-services to creative digital tasks—and turning them into functional pilots Market Validation: Identifying local and global market demands that align with the unique capabilities of rural and underserved communities Product-Market Fit (PMF) : Rapidly iterating on mobile-first solutions to ensure the work is not just "available" but truly dignified and economically transformative Building the Blueprint : Developing the operational and technical playbooks required to turn a successful experiment into a standalone Karya business unit Revenue Pipeline Development : Moving beyond theory to build a tangible commercial engine. You will identify early adopters, secure design partners, and sign the first revenue-generating contracts for your new business lines Cross-Functional Leadership : Influence founders and stakeholders across leadership teams to collaboratively experiment new ideas Who you are You are a rare hybrid of a strategic thinker and a relentless executioner. You don't wait for a roadmap; you draw it. Required Qualifications: Foundational Grit: You have previously founded a startup or were a member of the core founding team (first 5 employees) of a 0-to-1 venture. You know exactly what it takes to build something out of nothing. Experience: You bring at least 5+ years of total professional experience , with a significant portion spent in high-growth, high-stakes environments. The "Builder" Mindset: You are comfortable getting your hands dirty with product design, user research in the field, and selling to the first ten customers. Mission Alignment: You are obsessed with the intersection of technology and social equity. You believe that "underserved" does not mean "unskilled." What we offer: Meaningful work at the intersection of AI, Tech and Equity Flexible leave and vacation policy Insurance as per industry standards Access to leaders in technology and social impact Karya celebrates diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. If you need accommodations to apply, please contact us at [email protected]