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Startup
A high tech AI startup, the Russian mafia, and the downfall of a 'resident adult.'
Professor Andrija Krstic is a bright man―some would say brilliant―with a stellar and secure career at one of the best universities in the country, teaching electronic engineering and pursuing leading edge research in semiconductor technology. But when an opportunity for financing an Artificial Intelligence high tech startup presents itself, he embraces the offer even though the seed money comes from an odd and somewhat suspicious Armenian oligarch.
It all seemed to be too good to be true, but the professor and his cofounders take all the right steps and successfully grow their startup. However, in parallel they also discover the truth behind the roots of their benefactor’s wealth.
Kristic finds himself trying to balance two disparate worlds―that of a high-tech Silicon Valley startup racing toward the twenty-first century's technological future, and that of shady wealth rooted in the collapse of the Soviet empire.
The professor knows he must do the right thing for his company. His reputation and legacy depend on it, not to mention the livelihoods of his colleagues and employees. And yet he must fend off the pressure from the Armenian oligarch who has probably told him far too much.
Professor Andrija Krstic is a bright man―some would say brilliant―with a stellar and secure career at one of the best universities in the country, teaching electronic engineering and pursuing leading edge research in semiconductor technology. But when an opportunity for financing an Artificial Intelligence high tech startup presents itself, he embraces the offer even though the seed money comes from an odd and somewhat suspicious Armenian oligarch.
It all seemed to be too good to be true, but the professor and his cofounders take all the right steps and successfully grow their startup. However, in parallel they also discover the truth behind the roots of their benefactor’s wealth.
Kristic finds himself trying to balance two disparate worlds―that of a high-tech Silicon Valley startup racing toward the twenty-first century's technological future, and that of shady wealth rooted in the collapse of the Soviet empire.
The professor knows he must do the right thing for his company. His reputation and legacy depend on it, not to mention the livelihoods of his colleagues and employees. And yet he must fend off the pressure from the Armenian oligarch who has probably told him far too much.
- GenresThriller
202 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2022
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Riko Radojcic
13 books8 followersRiko Radojcic writes hard-science technothriller stories that blur the lines between the real and the imagined. The 'real' part is based on his 30+ years of experience in the high-tech industry, and the 'imagined' part are just stories that he made up - but that could happen. His books are a blend of fiction, with characters that make sense, dealing with the non-fictional realities of the semiconductor industry, with some real-world technological considerations and with current events all mixed in to make thrilling hard-to-put-down dramas.
Riko was born in what was then Yugoslavia, spent his teen years in East Pakistan (Bangladesh now), Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania, completed high school in a Switzerland, and then earned his BSc and PhD degrees in Electronic Engineering and Solid-State Physics in England. He enjoyed a rewarding and a very stimulating career in semiconductor industry, acting in a variety of technical, managerial and business development roles and working with a variety of talented people from all over the world.
And now he is a writer, trying to bring to life his very diverse experiences through fictional stories.
Riko was born in what was then Yugoslavia, spent his teen years in East Pakistan (Bangladesh now), Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania, completed high school in a Switzerland, and then earned his BSc and PhD degrees in Electronic Engineering and Solid-State Physics in England. He enjoyed a rewarding and a very stimulating career in semiconductor industry, acting in a variety of technical, managerial and business development roles and working with a variety of talented people from all over the world.
And now he is a writer, trying to bring to life his very diverse experiences through fictional stories.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 28, 2022
#NetGalley
#Startup
This book is about a startup AI company. As a person who is interested in business, marketing, social media, etc., I feel like this was an interesting read. The book itself is about a fictional company and the trials and tribulations that they face when posed with success, failure, and some elements of crime. I want to give an extra mention for the fact that the book also acknowledges some of the issues brought about by the pandemic and factors those into the “startup.” (Working from home, labor/talent issues, supply chain, etc.)
The book is written from the point of view of the professor. As a professor and a trainer, myself, his perspective in research and knowledge was easy to follow and likable to me. I found myself double-thinking which of the characters had good intents, and which did not.
If I was more of a techie, I would have given this book a higher rating. The reason that I am giving it 3 stars as opposed to 4 is really because some of the technology detail involved in the book was over my head. A person with more technological expertise would enjoy this book immensely, and I highly recommend it to tech-natured readers. Those of us with less knowledge of technology will still enjoy the book but may find the reading of certain sections to be tedious, as I did.
Finally, I thought the end of the book was very abrupt. I turned the page to find out what happened next, to find the epilogue. I understand what the author was going for, and the reason for the abruptness, but I was hoping for more.
#Startup
This book is about a startup AI company. As a person who is interested in business, marketing, social media, etc., I feel like this was an interesting read. The book itself is about a fictional company and the trials and tribulations that they face when posed with success, failure, and some elements of crime. I want to give an extra mention for the fact that the book also acknowledges some of the issues brought about by the pandemic and factors those into the “startup.” (Working from home, labor/talent issues, supply chain, etc.)
The book is written from the point of view of the professor. As a professor and a trainer, myself, his perspective in research and knowledge was easy to follow and likable to me. I found myself double-thinking which of the characters had good intents, and which did not.
If I was more of a techie, I would have given this book a higher rating. The reason that I am giving it 3 stars as opposed to 4 is really because some of the technology detail involved in the book was over my head. A person with more technological expertise would enjoy this book immensely, and I highly recommend it to tech-natured readers. Those of us with less knowledge of technology will still enjoy the book but may find the reading of certain sections to be tedious, as I did.
Finally, I thought the end of the book was very abrupt. I turned the page to find out what happened next, to find the epilogue. I understand what the author was going for, and the reason for the abruptness, but I was hoping for more.
January 17, 2023
I really enjoyed the book. It's suspenseful and written with great details that are technically accurate.
The plot took a little time to get rolling, but once it did, the story moved along nicely.
I really connected with the characters and found myself imagining people I've worked with who are similar!
A fast read, keeps your attention throughout.
The plot took a little time to get rolling, but once it did, the story moved along nicely.
I really connected with the characters and found myself imagining people I've worked with who are similar!
A fast read, keeps your attention throughout.
February 4, 2023
I loved the technothriller aspects, it was what I needed from this type of book. It does a great job in being unique and enjoying the technothriller elements going on. I enjoyed how good the characters were.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 3, 2023
Read - no, devoured - Startup...and loved it. A real page turner. Radojcic has done a masterful job.
Radojcic came through with an unbelievable story that may come true someday.
Radojcic came through with an unbelievable story that may come true someday.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews