In February 2023, the journey of TitanPayAI, then known as “Artorian,” reached a pivotal moment. While the business idea had already gained validation through conversations with global banks, questions lingered about its future, particularly as Zeeshan Shaikh, the founder, faced significant career decisions. With graduation from MIT approaching in June 2023, Zeeshan was in the midst of interviews for high-profile Payment Head roles at global banks. The risk of fully committing to the startup was daunting, and Zeeshan was hesitant to engage in competitions for validation. However, a team member’s insistence led them to participate in the prestigious NFX FAST Competition, held at MIT and Harvard, offering $100K to selected startups.
The competition’s first round involved presenting to NFX General Partner James Currier and then-Principal (now Partner) Anna Pinol. Zeeshan joined the call with his team of MIT students, prepared to answer questions rather than lead the presentation. The initial presentation was met with skepticism from James, who critiqued everything from the content of the slides to the original name “Artorian,” questioning its clarity and memorability. Despite the intense scrutiny, Zeeshan seized the opportunity to demonstrate his expertise during the Q&A session, firmly responding to James’s challenging questions. This moment of assertiveness and in-depth knowledge about global payments and banking impressed James, who later revealed that his aggressive questioning was a deliberate technique to test the founders’ resilience.
The outcome of this interaction was profound. TitanPayAI was one of the five startups to win the competition, standing out among 300 contenders from MIT, Harvard, and Stanford. James Currier’s endorsement during the celebratory dinner was particularly impactful, as he highlighted Zeeshan’s command over the subject and his unwavering commitment to the vision. This win not only boosted Zeeshan’s confidence in the startup but also influenced his decision to pursue TitanPayAI full-time, leaving behind potential roles in the banking industry.
The competition also led to a crucial rebranding decision. Taking James’s advice on the importance of a powerful and memorable company name, Zeeshan rebranded “Artorian” to “TitanPayAI,” incorporating the focus on AI and ensuring the name resonated with the energy and uniqueness necessary to stand out in the competitive fintech space.
The NFX FAST Competition victory was more than just a win; it was a turning point that solidified the foundation of TitanPayAI, validating the vision not just among banks but also within the investor community. It underscored the importance of resilience, knowledge, and the right branding in the journey of building a successful startup.