Fuselink AI
Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business
Industry: Product Management, Technology Services
Founding Student Name(s): Ephraim Sun (CEO), Ashwin Kodibagkar (CFO), Aryan Panda (CTO)
Brief Description of Solution: FuseLink AI transforms the software development industry by offering intelligent LLM-powered agents designed for Agile workflows. Our AI acts as a virtual Scrum Master, understanding business needs and automating essential project management tasks. This solution enables teams to start and complete projects faster, with reduced friction and enhanced productivity.
Funding Dollars: $1,000 from SMU’s Big Ideas Pitch Competition, with plans for additional funding through private investments from friends and family.
What led you to launch this venture? During my time at Amazon, I observed firsthand how even the most advanced teams could be bogged down by repetitive, administrative aspects of Agile workflows. Despite access to cutting-edge tools, project managers and engineers were often overwhelmed by tasks like status updates, prioritization, and follow-ups, which detracted from actual innovation and slowed project velocity. This experience highlighted the need for a smarter, more automated solution that could handle these repetitive tasks while keeping teams aligned with business goals.
My teammates at Wells Fargo saw similar challenges within the financial services sector. In their fast-paced, highly regulated environment, Agile processes were frequently hindered by manual oversight and the limitations of traditional project management tools. Teams spent days writing user stories and design documents, and these tools struggled to keep up with the stringent industry demands for precision and efficiency.
Together, these experiences drove us to create FuseLink AI. Our platform leverages AI-powered Scrum Masters specifically designed to streamline Agile workflows. By automating routine project management tasks, FuseLink AI reduces administrative load, allowing teams across industries to stay focused on strategic objectives, accelerate project timelines, and drive impactful innovation. We envision a future where Agile project management is not only faster but also more adaptable, helping organizations achieve measurable results more efficiently and effectively.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with venture? Our biggest accomplishment so far has been validating our concept with potential users and securing initial funding through the Big Ideas Pitch Competition. This achievement not only provided us with the financial support to kickstart development, but also confirmed a strong market demand for AI-driven solutions in Agile project management. We conducted 32 pre-product validation interviews and found that companies were spending months creating project charters, with teams spending days writing user stories and design documents. Through our research, we discovered that users were looking for a tool to accelerate sprint-planning times, even if it didn’t provide perfect accuracy, as it helped eliminate “writer’s block” in the planning process. Several users mentioned that FuseLink AI could save costs by reducing the need for additional personnel, and we even garnered interest from executives at Fortune 500 companies. Winning the competition and receiving this enthusiastic feedback has reinforced our team’s belief in the value of our product. With this momentum, we’re now focused on refining our prototype and preparing for pilot testing with early adopters to further demonstrate FuseLink AI’s potential.
How has your business-related major helped you further this startup venture? When I applied to SMU with a full-ride scholarship through the Mustang Scholarship Program, my main focus was on computer science. I didn’t pay much attention to my choice of a second major and, somewhat by accident, ended up selecting business at the Cox School of Business. Looking back, I realize that this “accidental” decision has been one of the most valuable choices I could have made. Being a business major has shaped my approach to strategy and problem-solving, complementing my technical background in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
From my first year, I began tapping into the entrepreneurial spirit at SMU, joining an early-stage startup, Tabbed Inc., founded by two SMU alums, Grant Pignio and Holden Ellard. In my sophomore year, I took on the role of Director of Technology for the SMU Blockchain Club and co-founded a cryptocurrency-based startup with one of my close friends, Laurens Gijsbertsen. Now, in my final year, I’m building FuseLink, and the network and mentorship I’ve found at the Cox School have been instrumental in this journey. The Cox School of Business has truly opened doors that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise, providing both the knowledge and connections to help me launch a successful venture.
Which business class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it? Many business classes at Cox have been valuable in unique ways: Business Law for navigating legal challenges, Management for understanding team dynamics, Entrepreneurship for real-world business experience, and Financial Management for insights into capital raising and financial markets. However, one business class that really stood out is Marketing with Professor Radhika Zaveri.
In her class, I learned a crucial lesson: even the best product won’t succeed if it doesn’t meet customer needs. Professor Zaveri’s course covers everything from business strategy to finding product-market fit and understanding customer pain points. This foundation has been essential for building FuseLink, helping me approach marketing and customer discovery with a strategic mindset. Professor Zaveri has also supported my entrepreneurial spirit, allowing me the flexibility to travel to hackathons at Princeton, UPenn, Berkeley, and beyond, which has enriched my learning and experience immensely.
What business professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? Two mentors have profoundly impacted my journey at SMU. The first is Dr. Simon Mak, former executive director of the Cox School’s Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship. Dr. Mak not only sponsored and guided the SMU Blockchain Club, but also provided invaluable mentorship for my research in machine learning for blockchain applications. Throughout my first two years at SMU, he was a steady source of support, helping me explore and grow as an entrepreneur. His recent transition to Founding Vice Chancellor at Universal AI University in Mumbai marked a new chapter for him, but his influence remains foundational to my journey.
As Dr. Mak moved on, Josh Taylor, Managing Director of the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, stepped in at a pivotal time. Josh has been a mentor in my latter years at SMU, consistently supporting me at pitch competitions and providing strategic insights that helped me refine my ideas, particularly with FuseLink. His encouragement has pushed me to keep innovating and adapting, recognizing and fostering my growth as an entrepreneur. Both Dr. Mak and Josh Taylor have been instrumental to my experience, offering mentorship, encouragement, and guidance that have deeply shaped my plans and aspirations at SMU.
What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? The greatest entrepreneurial inspiration in my life is my father. He came to America in July 1990 with only $277 to his name, having survived the Tiananmen Massacre on June 4, 1989. As an immigrant facing countless challenges, he had no choice but to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, working odd shifts and juggling multiple jobs to build a life for our family. My parents’ perseverance and sacrifice laid the foundation for the opportunities I now have—opportunities they could only dream of.
Their journey highlights the promise of the American dream. There are few places in the world where someone can rise from so little to create a life full of opportunities. Like many generations before me, the ancestors of this land helped build this nation through resilience, grit, and hope. America’s history is filled with individuals who transformed hardship into opportunity. They range from the pilgrims who risked everything for freedom in a new land to figures like Benjamin Franklin, an entrepreneur and intellectual, and George Washington, whose unwavering spirit laid the foundation for the United States. This unique American spirit of resilience and innovation drives my own aspirations to contribute and create something meaningful.
When I consider the opportunities in America, I’m reminded of how exceptional they are. Does China foster the same entrepreneurial spirit? Or Europe, with its more limited upward mobility? Or Africa, where people strive for the prosperity we enjoy here? No nation compares to America in its unique blend of freedom, prosperity, and innovation—a strength rooted in our military, political, and economic power, and supported by our technological advancement. I’m profoundly grateful for the opportunities this country affords, making it possible for someone like me to dream, innovate, and build.
While my father’s story has inspired me, my faith is the ultimate source of strength in my journey. I believe that God is with me through every challenge, guiding me to persevere and keep moving forward. As Joshua 1:9 says, “Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” This verse has been a profound source of courage, reminding me that with faith, hard work, and perseverance, anything is possible.
I also believe that God has blessed America in countless ways. Our nation’s unique opportunities and spirit of resilience are gifts that few other countries share. From our freedom and prosperity to our advancements in technology and innovation, America’s blessings reflect a divine favor and purpose. For me, living in a country so abundantly blessed carries a responsibility to use these opportunities wisely and to give back. It’s my faith that gives me the courage to pursue this calling—to contribute, innovate, and help others benefit from the promise and hope that America offers.
Since my freshman year, I’ve felt called to build a company that leverages technological innovation to improve lives. Driven by a belief that, with purpose, determination, and the resilience passed down by those who came before me, anything is possible, I am inspired to dream big and work tirelessly. Like Joshua, son of Nun; Caleb, son of Jephunneh; and countless others who faced immense obstacles, I move forward with confidence and gratitude, knowing that my vision will come to fruition in time, guided by faith and the blessings of this great country.
What is your long-term goal with your startup? The long-term goal of FuseLink AI is to make a meaningful impact across industries and communities worldwide. Our mission is to create technology that benefits people from all walks of life, helping them work smarter, faster, and more efficiently. We envision a future where our platform and tools empower teams to achieve remarkable outcomes—whether in business, education, or beyond—ultimately transforming lives for the better. By automating routine tasks and enabling more strategic, high-impact work, we aim to make a lasting, positive difference in the way people approach and succeed in their endeavors.
How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture’s development and success? The local startup ecosystem at SMU has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of FuseLink. Through organizations like Big iDeas by SMU Engaged Learning and the entrepreneurial efforts of the Cox School—specifically the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship—I’ve received invaluable support in refining our business strategy, product development, and fundraising efforts. These institutions have provided a wealth of resources, feedback, and guidance, which have been crucial in shaping FuseLink into the solution it is today. Additionally, the Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship Club, led by President Christian Kim, has offered a dynamic network of like-minded individuals, enabling me to collaborate, learn, and grow alongside talented peers. The mentorship and opportunities provided by the SMU startup ecosystem have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life and propelling us toward future success.
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