What No One Tells You About AI, Startups & The Future of Innovation with Mahdi Srour - Co-Founder of Ada IQ

Mahdi Srour is the Founder of AdaIQ, an AI-driven platform revolutionising product design. He is a 2nd generation immigrant with Lebanese roots. Mahdi's journey took him from being a 2nd generation immigrant to RWTH Aachen, working as an AI researcher at MIT to disrupting industries with AdaIQ. The company uses AI to predict market trends and optimise product design, reducing failure rates and costs for global brands. In this episode we talked to him about how AI will change our lives and businesses, how to come up with ideas for innovative AI ventures, and what you really need to succeed in the era of AI.This episode is hosted by Ahmad Zandnia and Hazhir Javanmardi.00:00 – Introduction: Meet Mahdi Srour, co-founder of AdaIQ, and learn about his journey from RWTH Aachen to MIT and AI entrepreneurship.01:35 – Curiosity as the Driving Force: How Mahdi’s early fascination with science and human behavior shaped his career.02:41 – Scholarships & Community: The impact of the Stadtstiftung and Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes on Mahdi’s journey.04:00 – Breaking Out of Academia: How international experiences in Beijing, Sweden, and MIT expanded Mahdi’s perspective.06:35 – The Birth of AdaIQ: How an academic research project turned into a company shaping the future of product development.07:39 – What is the Stadtstiftung? Mahdi explains how this scholarship supports young talents.08:32 – The Power of Environment: Why open-minded ecosystems are crucial for innovation.10:49 – US vs. Germany: Why American founders dream bigger and what Germany can learn from it.15:52 – AdaIQ’s Vision: How AI can predict market success before a product is even made.19:15 – How It Works: Can AI design your next microphone, sneaker, or car?22:47 – The Challenges of AI: How to balance creativity, data, and real market demand.25:52 – How to Start an AI Company (Even Without a Tech Background!)29:27 – Finding the Right AI Business Model: Where are the biggest gaps in AI today?32:52 – What Makes a Great Founder? It’s not what you think…37:02 – The Immigrant Experience: Mahdi’s personal struggles and what helped him succeed.40:52 – AI & Ethics: How can we build AI that actually benefits humanity?46:04 – Europe’s AI Future: Is Europe too late to the game?52:47 – Mahdi’s Biggest Mistakes & Lessons Learned: What he wishes he knew earlier. –---------------------------------------------------------------Follow us on Instagram:  / roots2disru.  .Follow us on TikTok:  / roots.2.disru.  .Visit our Website:https://youngfounders.network/Visit AdaIQ's Website:https://www.adaiq.com/Visit Mahdi's LinkedIn Profile:  / mahdisrour  #artificialintelligence #aistartup #techinnovation #futureofai #machinelearning #aifounders #deeptech #airevolution #innovationhub #techforgood #startuplife #entrepreneurmindset #founderjourney #techstartups #buildinpublic #scalingup #fromideatostartup #startupculture #b2bsaas #failfast #immigrantsuccess #refugeetofounder #firstgenfounder #migrantentrepreneurs #diversityintech #againstallodds #successmindset #dreambig #resilienceandgrit #hustleculture