Builder. Operator.
Always both.
20+ years building software companies. An 8-figure exit. Now I help mid-market companies turn AI into real business value.
Operator and builder. It's in my DNA.
I co-founded Netrics, an enterprise machine learning company, and ran it as CEO for 10 years. We built ML products before most people knew what machine learning was. We sold to TIBCO, a public company, in an 8-figure exit.
That decade taught me something most advisors never learn firsthand: technology, revenue, and operations are not separate problems. They are one system. Pull one lever and the others move. Most advisors see one piece. I see the whole board.
I did not just set strategy. I built every function from scratch. Engineering, sales, marketing, operations. I hired the teams. I closed the deals. I sat across from acquirers when it was time to sell. I have contributed to over $50 million in enterprise software sales.
I don't observe from the outside. When I work with a company, I care about the outcome as much as anyone on the team. That is not a sales line. It is the only way I know how to work.
After the exit, I founded Zaruko to help other companies work through the challenges I know firsthand. And I keep building. The software we ship is proof that we practice what we advise.
What I bring.
Builder
I co-founded an enterprise ML company and grew it from two founders to a successful exit. Before that, I served as CEO of UltronAI, a Carnegie Mellon spinout. I have built products, teams, and businesses from nothing. I still build software today because it keeps me honest and sharp.
Operator
10 years as CEO. I know what it takes to run a business, not just advise one. Strategy is easy. Execution is hard. I have done both.
Technologist
PhD in Computer Science from Princeton University. I have been building and deploying ML/AI products since the early 2000s. When I evaluate technology, I go deep: architecture, technical debt, AI/ML capabilities, team quality. I see what generalist advisors miss.
PhD, Computer Science
Princeton University
MA, Computer Science
Princeton University
BSc, Mathematics and Computer Science
McGill University
Co-founder and CEO, Netrics (acquired by TIBCO, 8-figure exit)
CEO, UltronAI (Carnegie Mellon spinout)
Edgestream Partners (quantitative hedge fund)
Founder, Zaruko LLC
20+ years in enterprise software
$50M+ in enterprise software sales
What people say.
"I benefited greatly from Stef's mentorship, his tremendous depth in technology and skill managing a complex business. He builds organizations of universally highly talented people and strong relationships with everyone he interacts with. Stef will never compromise on quality, requiring excellence from everyone in the organization. I would work for him again in a heartbeat."
Patrick Austermann
Engineering Leader | 2x founder | 2 exits | 1 IPO
"I worked with Stef at Edgestream for more than two years and was consistently impressed with his business, technology and management skills as well as his terrific work ethic. Stef's tenure at Edgestream was of enormous value and his contributions incredibly valuable."
William Natbony
Multi-business CEO and Financial Services Attorney
What I write about.
I publish regularly on AI adoption, technical leadership, and building companies. The writing is direct, evidence-based, and free of hype. I never sell in my writing. No pitches, no lead magnets, no gated content. The goal is to be useful and honest. If the writing helps you solve a problem on your own, that is a good outcome.
First Principles of AI
A practical guide for business professionals. Ten foundational principles to evaluate AI claims, spot snake oil, and make better decisions. Our most-read article.
The Einstein Test: Why AGI Is Not Around the Corner
The clearest test for artificial general intelligence and why today's systems cannot come close. What it means for your AI planning horizon.
The AI Privacy Comparison Every Business Needs to See
We compared the privacy policies of 11 major AI platforms. Every consumer tier trains on your data. The enterprise tier is the minimum for business use.
Common questions.
Who is Stefanos Damianakis?
Stefanos is the founder of Zaruko. He co-founded Netrics, an enterprise machine learning company, and ran it as CEO for 10 years before selling to TIBCO in an 8-figure exit. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Princeton University and has over 20 years of experience building and deploying ML/AI products.
What makes Zaruko different from other AI consultants?
Zaruko is led by an operator and builder, not an observer. Stefanos has been the CEO, the CTO, and the operator. He built every function from scratch, closed the deals, and sat across from acquirers. He also continues to build software products, which keeps his advisory work grounded in real engineering challenges.
Let's talk.
If you're facing a challenge where my experience could help, reach out. I'll be straight with you about whether I can help.