For the last episode of Founder CEO, I spoke with Sergio Suarez Jr., CEO and founder of Handle AIan emerging force in the artificial intelligence space. What stood out in our conversation was not just Sergio's technical expertise, but his journey—driven by an insatiable curiosity, a supportive family, and a relentless desire to solve complex problems.

Big bet in an unconventional way

Sergio Suarez Jr.'s journey began with a simple fascination: a love for building things. Raised in a family with a strong work ethic, Sergio was exposed to entrepreneurship early. His father, who ran a heating and air conditioning business, entrusted Sergio with managing the finances and payroll as a teenager, sparking his problem-solving and business management skills. It's not just about the numbers; it's about finding innovative ways to make things work better.

Interestingly, Sergio did not follow a conventional path. From playing poker professionally for eight years to working the trading floor of the NASDAQ, his career path was anything but predictable. However, each experience contributed to his entrepreneurial toolkit, sharpening his risk management skills and teaching him to anticipate challenges—a crucial trait that would eventually serve him well as a founder.

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The birth of Tackle AI

The inception of Tackle AI is a story of determination and foresight. After being successfully acquired by a company where he sold live event options, Sergio found himself ready to take a more innovative step. “I wanted to build something real,” he said, reflecting on those early days. Alongside a team of friends and colleagues working out of his basement, Sergio spent nearly a year perfecting the core technology behind what would become Tackle AI. The mission was to build artificial intelligence that could automate the complex task of processing unstructured documents, particularly in healthcare.

The name, Tackle AI, came to Sergio almost out of the blue. With no detailed branding agency involved, he chose the name on a Sunday afternoon while watching football, combining his passion for problem solving with an uneasy approach to business.

Addressing the market and achieving growth

Since its formation in 2017, Tackle AI has experienced tremendous growth, fueled by its innovative technology and vision. Using a proprietary AI system, Tackle AI has revolutionized the way companies process documents, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and legal services. What started as a small operation in a basement has now expanded to process millions of documents for hospitals and law firms, proving that investing in a unique, in-house technology can be a game changer. Sergio made the bold decision to build from scratch. “We have our own stuff. We build our own stuff from scratch,” he said, emphasizing the importance of originality and independence in the company's journey.

The other hand

Looking ahead, Suarez remains focused on deepening Tackle AI's impact in healthcare and legal services. But perhaps more importantly, he's proving that the path to success in tech doesn't have to go through traditional channels. Despite the company's exponential growth, Sergio maintains his passion for technology itself. “I play CEO,” he admits with a laugh, underscoring his genuine love of problem-solving and inventiveness over boardroom politics.

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A retreat for aspiring entrepreneurs

What makes Sergio Suarez Jr.'s journey so compelling is not only his success, but his candid reflections on the realities of entrepreneurship. He challenges the romanticized idea of ​​a “perfect work-life balance” and advises aspiring founders to embrace the challenges that come with building something from the ground up. “This whole work-life balance thing is not a thing,” he said. “If you're going into this thinking you're going to make your own watches, it's the opposite.”

His advice is clear: surround yourself with the right people, bet on those with a proven track record of success, and never shy away from taking bold risks. Above all, Sergio's story reminds us that passion and persistence are the true catalysts to create something extraordinary.

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