Turning passion into products: Görkem Algan's journey from EIT Digital Master School to AI startup founder

After completing his studies at the EIT ICT Labs MSc programme (2012-2014), Görkem was initially drawn to the academic world. "During my master’s, we were always encouraged to think like entrepreneurs," Görkem recalls. "After graduation, I did not follow this path immediately. Because I believed gaining the industry knowledge fist was more beneficial."

This drive led him to pursue a PhD in deep learning while simultaneously working as a computer vision researcher for Turkey’s leading tech company. Over seven years, he developed an extensive understanding of AI and computer vision. However, his academic and industry experiences left him yearning for something more tangible: products that people could use and benefit from.

"I decided to turn my knowledge of AI into actual products that people can use. I chose mobile apps since they seem to be the easier way to reach audiences at scale," he explains.

EverPixel’s first app - a photo eraser - served as the foundation for a much larger vision. Görkem and his team leveraged AI to create a seamless user experience, combining multiple complex algorithms into one cohesive platform. What started as a simple photo eraser app turned into a complete AI suite with many complex algorithms working in harmony.

The company's apps not only enhance photos and videos but also solve problems that previously required extensive manual effort.

Görkem credits much of his entrepreneurial spirit to the time he spent at the EIT Digital Master School. "After working in the top tech companies and doing a PhD I decided that I had enough knowledge to build something novel. I believe it was the excitement I got from EIT that let me quit my job after all these years," he says.

He highlights how EIT Digital’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation shaped his mindset. The programme also provided him with a strong technical foundation and the opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies during his master’s thesis.

Running EverPixel has brought Görkem immense satisfaction, particularly the freedom to chart his own course. “You have the freedom to do what you think is best," he says. "No task feels like a burden because every decision contributes directly to your vision." 

However, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Balancing the demanding workload of a startup with personal responsibilities has been one of the most difficult aspects. “Life isn’t just about work. You need to maintain balance to stay happy and give your best," Görkem emphasizes.

For students considering their own entrepreneurial path, Görkem offers one key piece of advice: "pursue an idea that excites you."

"The workload of running a startup is immense. If the idea doesn’t excite you, it will be difficult to stay motivated," he cautions. He also recommends gaining experience in startups before launching one of your own. "Working at a startup gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how they operate and prepares you for the challenges ahead."

As EverPixel continues to grow, Görkem remains focused on pushing the boundaries of AI in mobile applications.