Mert Karakus

Big ups to Mert Karakus. This guy’s the real deal. Born and raised in Istanbul, he’s got that global hustle vibe. Moved to the US for college, studied econ at Bates College, then jumped into the world of big ideas. He’s not your typical startup dude, though. Before he crushed it with Oda, he was deep in research at MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative, messing around with blockchain consensus protocols, yeah, that modern stuff. Then he did a stint at Cornerstone Research, diving into the US housing market and financial crises. So, dude’s got brains, no doubt.

Fast forward, in 2019, he co-founded Oda Studio. This ain’t just another real estate tech play, these guys are using AI to totally transform how people see and buy homes. It’s visual solutions that make everything way more slick and accessible. And it’s not just talk, by Winter 2020, they’re in Y Combinator, one of the top startup accelerators in the world. That’s a huge vote of confidence. Since then, he’s raised over $2.8 million, led the company through some serious growth, and now they’re serving clients across the US, Mexico, and Turkey.

What’s crazy is, Mert’s process shows he’s all about jumping into new things, no hesitation. From blockchain research to finance, then pivoting to build a startup that’s changing real estate, he’s got this mix of tech smarts and real-world hustle. He’s motivated by a desire to innovate, to push boundaries, and to bring fresh perspectives from his global background. He’s not just in it for the money; he genuinely wants to make a difference in how we buy and sell property.

Bottom line: Mert’s the guy who saw a problem, used his tech chops and real-world experience to build something that actually matters. He’s proof that with the right mix of curiosity, grit, and vision, you can turn ideas into real-world impact. No Cap, he’s someone to watch.