Side projects are not distractions from school or work. For me, they are the fastest way to learn what I actually care about building.
When I shipped my first maze game in November 2023, I was not trying to start a company. I wanted to prove I could take an idea from zero to something playable. That loop—problem, prototype, polish—still drives every project on my portfolio.
What I look for in a side project
- A real constraint — limited time, unclear APIs, or messy data forces better decisions.
- Something I would use — Orbit started because I wanted structured memory for relationships, not because "AI apps" were trending.
- A path to depth — I prefer projects where v1 is simple but v3 can get technically interesting.
What comes next
This blog will be a place for short write-ups on projects, lessons from internships, and notes on AI, data, and finance. If you are building something similar, reach out.