About the Founder
The visionary mind behind Skiphold
Born on August 13th, 2007, Sahil’s journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by a personal experience close to home. His father, a seasoned traveler logging over 80 flights annually for more than 20 years, frequently faced the frustration of long hold times when trying to reach airline customer service. The tipping point came when his dad missed a major connecting flight due to weather delays and was unable to get through to an agent after three hours on hold.
Determined to solve this pervasive issue, Sahil conceived the idea for Skiphold during a summer internship at an AI program within a leading Big Four accounting firm. Recognizing that countless travelers shared his father’s plight, he set out to address this overlooked yet significant pain point in the airline industry.
Despite not being a strong math student and having limited coding experience, Sahil didn’t let these challenges hinder his ambition. He leveraged cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to develop a proof of concept and design the initial prototype of Skiphold. His innovative approach allowed him to overcome technical hurdles, showcasing how modern AI can empower anyone to bring complex projects to life.
In 2023, Sahil dedicated himself to Skiphold, immersing in its development and successfully raising seed funding with the support of his family. His commitment did impact his academic performance, but it also led to significant milestones for the startup, including drafting and filing the first software patent for Skiphold’s unique technology.
As he prepares to graduate high school and embark on his university journey in 2024, Sahil has passed the baton to his parents to continue advancing Skiphold. While he steps back from day-to-day involvement to focus on his studies, his foundational work— from the initial business plan to the prototype— remains at the heart of the company.
Sahil’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation. His ability to identify a common problem, coupled with his resourcefulness in leveraging AI technology, has laid the groundwork for the Skiphold to revolutionise customer service in the airline industry and beyond