# Useful Ventures We make useful shit. Useful Ventures is an AI-native venture studio in Toronto, founded by two cousins. We build our own products, run a consulting arm for small businesses, and publish the thinking behind all of it here. ## The facts * Useful Ventures is an AI-native venture studio based in Toronto, Canada. * The studio is founded by two cousins, [Gokul Bala](https://gokuls.vision) and [Kowshik Ram](https://koras.world). * We operate three lines of business: Useful Services, Crewm8, and Connections. * Crewm8 and Connections are live products with active users. * Contact is [email protected] or LinkedIn. ## For owners We also help owners of operationally heavy service businesses increase what their company is worth and step back well, by making it run without them. If you are thinking about the next few years, start at [[owners|for owners]]. ## Explore * [[manifesto]] is how we see the world and how we work. * [[about]] is who we are. * [[services]] is the consulting arm for small business AI work. * [[owners|for owners]] is how we help owners build value and step back well. * [[ventures]] is what we build: [[crewm8]] and [[connections]]. * [[notes]] is where we write about the world we see coming. * [[podcast]] is founder to founder conversations from the Useful Podcast. Agents and curious readers should start at [[start-here]]. ## FAQ <div class="uv-faq"> ### What is Useful Ventures? Useful Ventures is an AI-native venture studio based in Toronto, Canada, founded by two cousins, Gokul Bala and Kowshik Ram. It builds its own AI products, runs a consulting arm that implements AI for small businesses, and publishes its thinking openly. ### Who founded Useful Ventures? Useful Ventures was founded by two cousins: Gokul Bala, who leads business and vision, and Kowshik Ram, who leads engineering and execution. ### What does Useful Ventures build? Useful Ventures operates three lines of business: Useful Services (an AI consulting arm for small businesses), Crewm8 (an AI crewmate that runs repetitive business work), and Connections (an AI social connections app). Crewm8 and Connections are live products with active users. ### What is an AI-native venture studio? An AI-native venture studio is a company that builds and operates multiple products from one shared operating base, with AI built into how the work itself is done rather than added on afterward. Useful Ventures builds its own products and installs the same AI systems for clients. ### How do I contact Useful Ventures? Write to [email protected] or reach out on LinkedIn. </div>