Starting a new AI venture is always thrilling, but finding the right team to bring your vision to life can be a real challenge. This was the case for us at January AI. We had a groundbreaking idea: using artificial intelligence to tackle chronic health issues like diabetes. With funding secured, we were eager to build our team. However, attracting top AI engineers proved to be more difficult than we anticipated.

The allure of working at big-name companies like OpenAI is hard to compete with. These tech giants offer exciting projects and impressive perks that smaller businesses often can't match. Many candidates were drawn to the idea of working on high-profile tools with widespread impact, rather than niche applications like our health-focused project.

This dilemma is one that many small companies face. Competing for talent against industry giants requires a different approach. We need to think outside the box and offer something unique that larger companies might not provide.

For smaller businesses, it's essential to highlight what makes us special. This could be the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that make a real difference in people's lives, a more flexible work environment, or the chance to have a significant impact on the company's direction. By focusing on these aspects, we can attract passionate individuals who are excited about the work we do and the change we aim to create.

In the end, it's about finding those who share your vision and are eager to be part of something innovative and impactful. While the competition for AI talent is fierce, with the right approach, smaller companies can still attract the bright minds they need to succeed.