
Masters of Scale Drive full-speed at opportunity, w/AKQA’s Ajaz Ahmed
Jul 19, 2022
Ajaz Ahmed, the Founder and CEO of AKQA, shares his journey of building a pioneering digital ad agency from scratch. He reflects on how dropping out of college in 1994 excited him about the tech revolution. Ahmed talks about seizing opportunities through rapid prototyping for major clients like Nike and his guiding mantra of 'get big or die trying.' He also delves into unique employee benefits that foster a vibrant culture, and discusses leveraging technology for social change and philanthropy, showcasing how innovation can drive impactful ventures.
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Foreseeing the Internet Revolution
- Ajaz immediately recognized the internet's power in multimedia convergence.
- He foresaw a new technological revolution, urging him to start a company.
Starting Without Clients
- When starting a company, having existing clients is usually advantageous.
- AKQA launched without clients, highlighting their unique approach and vision.
Prototyping for Success
- To gain clients, AKQA built prototypes before pitches, showcasing their vision.
- This allowed potential clients to understand and embrace their innovative internet applications.

