Sharmin Ali

CEO

New York, New York, United States15 yrs 11 mos experience
Most Likely To SwitchAI Enabled

Key Highlights

  • Successfully raised $200M for an AI startup.
  • Achieved 8-figure exit with a media platform.
  • Advocate for mental health in entrepreneurship.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a SaaS and MarTech entrepreneur with a strong focus on mental health advocacy.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Strategic PlanningProblem SolvingBusiness Development

Other Skills

AIAnalytical SkillsAnalyticsBrandingBusiness AnalysisBusiness AnalyticsBusiness IntelligenceCluster AnalysisContent CreationCustomer AnalysisData AnalysisData MiningGenerative AIKeynote SpeakingLinear Regression

About

They say life gives second chances, but I know firsthand it also gives third chances—if you’re bold enough to take them. I’ve stared death in the face not once but twice, and each time, I’ve come back stronger, more determined, and deeply committed to creating a lasting impact in this world. I’m an entrepreneur at heart and by choice. My career began in the trenches of startups, where I helped grow a Chicago-based company from zero to a couple of hundred million dollars in ARR. But my true entrepreneurial journey started when I bootstrapped my first company, a Netflix-like platform for Indian vernacular languages, which I sold for an 8-figure exit after just four years. My second venture, Instoried, was an emotion AI startup that transformed how marketers connect with their audiences. Through grit and persistence, I raised $200M for the company and scaled it to a successful exit in 2023, stepping away only due to health reasons. Now, I’m building PiePie AI, a cutting-edge video content creation platform, while championing mental health for entrepreneurs through the Sharmin Ali Foundation for Entrepreneurs (SAFE). SAFE is my soul’s work, inspired by my journey of overcoming stress-induced trauma and cardiac arrest. I aim to give back to the entrepreneurial community by providing the support system I wish I had. I’ve shared my experiences through two books and am thrilled to announce my third, ‘Bitch, Stop, Please’, coming soon—a deeply personal account of resilience, clarity, and the art of innovation. Through it all, my dream remains the same: to create meaningful impact, build ecosystems that empower, and inspire others to rise above the chaos. Life is short, and I’m here to make every moment count. Let’s connect, collaborate, and create something extraordinary together.

Experience

Entrepreneurs roundtable accelerator

Mentor

Aug 2025Present · 7 mos

Hubble

Advisor

Jul 2025Present · 8 mos

  • I’m opening up a few 1:1 spots on @hubble—a space built for thoughtful conversations and honest advice.
  • If you’ve been thinking about reaching out with questions, growing something new, navigating a pivot, or just need clarity, this is your chance to book some time with me. Excited to connect and I’d love to support however I can.
  • I can help with:
  • ✔️Fundraising & Investor Pitching
  • ✔️Go-To-Market Strategy & Scaling
  • ✔️AI Startup Strategy & Positioning
  • ✔️Storytelling for Founders
  • ✔️Years Of Lessons As A Founder
  • 👉 Book a 1:1 with me (Link in Bio)

Pef community

Member

Feb 2025Present · 1 yr 1 mo

Sharmin ali foundation for entrepreneurs (s.a.f.e.)

Chief Philanthropy Officer

Nov 2024Present · 1 yr 4 mos · New York, United States

  • At SAFE, we are on a mission to support the unsung heroes of the business world—entrepreneurs—by prioritizing their mental health and well-being. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster ride of ambition, challenges, and immense pressure, but too often, the emotional toll it takes is overlooked.
  • As someone who has faced the highs of 8-figure exits and the lows of stress-induced health crises, I founded SAFE to fill the gap I once felt so deeply. We provide resources, community support, and actionable tools to help entrepreneurs navigate the unique mental health challenges that come with building businesses.
  • In my role as Chief Philanthropy Officer, I’m dedicated to creating programs and initiatives that empower founders to thrive—not just professionally, but personally. SAFE isn’t just a foundation; it’s a movement to normalize the conversation around mental health for entrepreneurs. Together, we’re building stronger leaders, healthier communities, and a brighter future.
Problem SolvingStrategic Planning

Piepie ai

Founder & CEO (Acq by Blue Bells Media)

Jan 2023Jun 2025 · 2 yrs 5 mos · New York, United States

  • At PiePie AI, we’re redefining video creation. Our platform leverages AI-powered tools to simplify the video editing process, enabling creators to access stock footage from multiple sources and craft high-quality videos effortlessly.
  • As a founder, my mission is to make professional-grade video content accessible to everyone, from individual creators to businesses. PiePie AI reflects my lifelong passion for storytelling and innovation, combining cutting-edge technology with a creator-first approach.
  • We’ve been fortunate to secure funding from Techstars NYC and Right Side Capital, a testament to the belief in our vision and the potential of our platform. Building PiePie AI is my next step in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in content creation. It’s not just about creating videos—it’s about empowering people to tell their stories in the most impactful way.
Problem SolvingBusiness DevelopmentStrategic PlanningTechnology TrendsAnalytical Skills

Forbes technology council

Official Member

Jun 2021Present · 4 yrs 9 mos · New York, United States

Instoried

Founder & CEO ($200M Raised & Exited)

Nov 2017Jan 2023 · 5 yrs 2 mos · San Jose, California, United States

  • At Instoried, we built something extraordinary—a proprietary generative AI platform powered by over 70 million data points, designed to revolutionize how businesses connect with their audiences emotionally. Our technology enabled marketers, writers, and brands to craft content that resonated deeply with their target audience, helping them drive engagement and build meaningful relationships.
  • Leading Instoried was one of the most rewarding yet challenging chapters of my life. I raised $200 million in funding, scaling the company to global recognition. But amidst the hustle and high stakes of building a groundbreaking product, I faced my own personal battle—suffering a stress-induced cardiac arrest and grappling with significant mental health challenges.
  • These experiences taught me the hard truth about the toll entrepreneurship can take. They also led me to make the difficult decision to step away and exit the company in early 2023. It wasn’t just an exit from Instoried—it was a step toward reclaiming my health and starting a new chapter in my life.
  • Instoried remains a testament to the power of innovation and resilience. I’m proud of what we built and the impact it has made, and I carry forward the lessons I learned to inspire others on their journeys.
Problem SolvingBusiness DevelopmentStrategic PlanningTechnology TrendsAnalytical Skills

Art-right-is productions (8-figure exit)

Founder & CEO (8-figure exit)

Aug 2013Oct 2017 · 4 yrs 2 mos · Bangalore

  • My first entrepreneurial venture was born out of a deep love for storytelling and videos. I set out to create a media platform that would revolutionize content consumption for Indian vernacular audiences—a “Netflix” for regional languages. Bootstrapping the company from scratch, I poured my heart into crafting over 70 original scripts and web series, which we launched on YouTube.
  • The results were incredible: a loyal community of 500,000+ subscribers and more than 7 million views. Our platform became a voice for untapped audiences, delivering stories that resonated with millions.
  • After years of relentless passion and grit, we achieved an 8-figure exit—a moment that validated not just the business model but the power of creating something meaningful. This journey not only cemented my love for video storytelling but also showed me the transformative impact of persistence, creativity, and connecting with audiences in their own language. It was the foundation of my belief in the limitless potential of innovation.
  • Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artrightis_Theatre_Group
  • A media company with effervescent, extravagant and candid work on social causes!
Problem SolvingBusiness DevelopmentStrategic PlanningAnalytical Skills

Mu sigma

Senior Partner

Apr 2010Jun 2014 · 4 yrs 2 mos · Chicago, Illinois, United States

  • My journey into the world of startups began with a bold choice—I turned down an offer from Google to join an early-stage company called Mu Sigma. It was a leap of faith that became a life-altering experience. Over four years, I worked tirelessly to help grow the company to an impressive $300 million in ARR, collaborating with Fortune 500 clients like Microsoft, Allstate Insurance, Walmart, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Amgen.
  • At Mu Sigma, the hours were long—16-hour days, often spilling into weekends—but the lessons were profound. I gained invaluable insights into data-driven decision-making, problem-solving, and the sheer grit it takes to scale a business from the ground up.
  • This wasn’t just a job; it was my initiation into entrepreneurship. Mu Sigma showed me the transformative power of startups—not just for founders, but for those willing to invest their sweat equity to build something extraordinary. It laid the foundation for everything I’ve achieved in my entrepreneurial journey and cemented my belief in the value of relentless hard work, vision, and resilience.
Problem SolvingBusiness DevelopmentStrategic PlanningTechnology TrendsAnalytical Skills

Education

Visvesvaraya Technological University

B.E — Electronics and Communication

Jan 2006Jan 2010

DPS RK PURAM, New Delhi

XII — PCM

Jan 2004Jan 2006

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