Igor Jablokov of Pryon
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Igor Jablokov (founder and CEO) of Pryon, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of Pryon – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
After my time contributing to the core technologies behind Amazon Alexa, IBM Watson, and other industry-leading AI platforms, I shifted my focus to solving knowledge friction for the enterprise. By weaving an organization’s content into a knowledge fabric with augmented intelligence, any user can unlock trusted answers derived from complex, unstructured data.
Today, Pryon’s no-code technology can be deployed in a matter of days. Also, it’s scalable enough to meet the advanced needs of multinational companies and the most secure federal government agencies. By reducing the distance between people and the knowledge that they need, Pryon fosters a more informed, resilient and responsive organization.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
Throughout my career, the feeling of not belonging anywhere was persistent, which led me to create a company where I can unite people under a common mission. Today, the biggest challenges are the constant need for more capital and more time. As well as maintaining my independent nature, while holding fast to my vision in the face of opposition.
What does the future hold for Pryon?
Our strengths lie in our R&D capabilities and unique proposition to the marketplace. Product development, servicing client and partner needs, and expanding our presence across critical infrastructures are our focuses.
In the next five to ten years, our goal is to be the leader in AI knowledge management, providing a centralized digital library that unifies public information, proprietary knowledge and personal content.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Raleigh?
I think there’s a lot of opportunity in the corridor between Charlotte and RTP both in terms of headquartered companies and academics.
NC State developed the TIMA technology in the cybersecurity realm that was installed on a billion plus devices as part of the Samsung Knox platform.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
I typically ask up-and-coming entrepreneurs what their relationships are with academic institutions and if they say that they have none, I worry about their long-term prospects. You must have your ear to the ground to stay aware of the fundamental discoveries happening every day.
Also, seek out internships, especially as an undergraduate – they’re not optional because there is no substitute for real-world experience. It’s one thing to have theoretical training, but internships enable you to see your work in action.