UPDATE: A breakthrough in industrial safety technology has emerged as Thomas Lee Young, a 24-year-old CEO, leads his startup Interface in deploying AI solutions to prevent accidents in heavy industries. The San Francisco-based company is revolutionizing safety protocols just weeks after securing a significant $3.5 million seed investment.
Young, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, has a unique background that combines engineering heritage with a Caribbean accent and a Chinese surname. This eclectic mix has become a powerful asset as he engages with industry executives to promote his innovative AI-driven approach to safety in oil and gas sectors.
In just two and a half months, Interface’s software identified a staggering 10,800 errors in the safety documentation of a major Canadian energy firm, showcasing the urgent need for improved safety management systems. Young emphasizes that such oversight could have catastrophic consequences, stating, “They’re just lucky that nothing happened.”
The urgency of Interface’s innovations cannot be overstated. The current tools used for managing safety documentation are often outdated, leading to dangerous mishaps. Young’s experience at Jaguar Land Rover exposed him to critical flaws in industrial processes, motivating him to create a solution that autonomously audits operating procedures using advanced AI models.
Young’s journey has been anything but straightforward. After being accepted to the prestigious California Institute of Technology in 2020, he faced insurmountable hurdles due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including visa complications and a significant hit to his college fund, which dropped from $350,000 to nearly nothing. Pivoting to a mechanical engineering program at the University of Bristol in the UK, he remained steadfast in his Silicon Valley aspirations.
While at Bristol, Young worked in human factors engineering, focusing on safety design for industrial systems. This experience illuminated the critical flaws in existing safety protocols, planting the seed for what would become Interface. After leaving Jaguar, he joined Entrepreneur First, a talent incubator, where he met co-founder Aaryan Mehta, who also faced visa challenges during the pandemic.
Their partnership has proven fruitful; together, they are tackling an expansive market, with plans to penetrate the U.S. oil and gas service sector, which consists of approximately 27,000 companies. Young’s youthful perspective, combined with his deep understanding of the industry’s nuances, has turned initial skepticism into enthusiasm among seasoned executives.
In one notable instance, after a presentation, several field workers expressed interest in investing in Interface, a testament to Young’s ability to resonate with workers typically resistant to software solutions.
Interface’s innovative pricing model has also attracted attention. After initial struggles with outcome-based pricing, they shifted to a hybrid per-seat model, securing a lucrative contract worth over $2.5 million annually with their Canadian client. As interest grows in Houston, Guyana, and Brazil, the startup is poised to expand its reach.
Despite the demand for their services, Interface faces challenges in rapidly scaling its team to meet increasing needs. Young describes the intensity of working in the heart of Silicon Valley, where he is surrounded by groundbreaking innovations and opportunities.
“I think back to what life was like in Trinidad. I mention these ideas to people back home, and they just don’t believe me,” he says, reflecting on his extraordinary journey.
As Interface continues to develop its technology, the company is not just changing safety protocols but also the culture surrounding industrial work. Young’s vision is clear: make heavy industries safer and more efficient through AI, and they are already well on their way.
Stay tuned for further updates as Interface positions itself as a leader in industrial safety technology, paving the way for a new era of innovation in heavy industries.
