Akli Adjaoute - Founder and General Partner
Professional Overview
Akli Adjaoute is an accomplished AI pioneer and entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in driving innovation and business growth. As the Founder and General Partner at Exponion, he leverages his deep expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and fintech to guide early-stage startups and foster technological advancements.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Founder and General Partner at Exponion, Akli is responsible for identifying promising AI-driven startups, providing strategic guidance, and leveraging his extensive network to help these companies scale and succeed. He plays a key role in shaping Exponion's investment portfolio and driving the firm's mission to empower the next generation of AI innovators.
Career Progression
Akli's professional journey has been marked by a strong focus on AI and its transformative potential. He founded Cognitix, a leading AI-powered fintech company, and served as its President and CEO. Prior to that, he founded and led Brighterion, a Mastercard company, as its President and CEO, driving the development of cutting-edge AI-based fraud detection and risk management solutions. Akli has also held advisory roles at Mastercard, where he provided strategic counsel on the integration of AI into the company's product offerings.
Earlier in his career, Akli served as the Head of the AI department and Scientific Committee Chair at EPITA, a prestigious engineering school in France. He has also held academic positions, including an Adjunct Professor role at the University of San Francisco.
Academic Background
Akli holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Artificial Intelligence from Pierre and Marie Curie University. He also earned a Master's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the Université de Technologie de Compiègne (UTC).
Areas of Expertise
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Fintech and Financial Services
- AI-driven Fraud Detection and Risk Management
- Venture Capital and Early-stage Startup Investing
- Academic Leadership and Research
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Akli has made significant contributions to the advancement of AI technology and its practical applications. As the founder of Brighterion, he pioneered the development of AI-based fraud detection solutions that have been widely adopted by financial institutions and payment processing companies. His work has helped to improve the security and efficiency of global financial systems.
As an academic leader, Akli has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of AI and computer science professionals through his teaching and research activities at EPITA and the University of San Francisco.
Conclusion
Akli Adjaoute is a renowned AI expert and serial entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to driving innovation and creating positive impact through the application of advanced technologies. As the Founder and General Partner at Exponion, he continues to leverage his deep industry knowledge and extensive network to support the growth of promising AI-driven startups, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the field and the creation of transformative technology solutions.
