Udacity's Time on Sunday ☕️🥨 It was a Sunday morning in Munich. I had a cup of double espresso in hand, my laptop open, and a simple question in my head: how fast can I actually finish this? Six hours later, I had my answer — and a Udacity Nanodegree certificate to prove it. The Backstory I'll be honest. I didn't set out to break any records. I'm the CTO and Co-founder of 36ZERO Vision, a Munich-based company that builds AI-powered quality inspection systems for manufacturer

ISO 27001 Experience You're scaling, enterprise clients are asking for security questionnaires, your team doubled, someone's laptop got stolen, and you realize your "security policy" is a Google Doc from 2022 nobody reads. Sound familiar? The Right Time to Do It Don't do it pre-PMF. Do it when: You have paying enterprise customers who actually ask for it Your team is 15-30+ people and processes are breaking You're handling sensitive data (manufacturing defects, customer IP, e

Startup Python Bundle In the dynamic environment of an early-stage startup, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) must make strategic decisions to ensure rapid development, scalability, and customer satisfaction. Python, renowned for its simplicity and extensive ecosystem, is an ideal programming language for startups aiming to deliver agile, customer-focused products. This article presents a curated selection of Python packages that facilitate professional project development,

Human Tech Integration As a tech enthusiast and the Co-Founder and CTO of a startup revolutionizing quality inspection in manufacturing, I’ve always believed that technology’s true purpose is to amplify human potential, not diminish it. At 36ZERO Vision, we’re harnessing automation, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge computer vision to transform how industries ensure quality—but our mission goes beyond just streamlining processes. We’re building a future where technolo

My Take on CI/CD Pipelines as a Startup CTO: The Good, the Bad, and the Balancing Act

As the CTO of a rapidly growing startup, I'm constantly juggling priorities. We need to move fast, innovate, and keep our customers happy. But we also need to make sure our systems are resilient and our data is safe. That's where RTO and RPO come into play. RTO: How Long Can We Be Down? RTO stands for Recovery Time Objective. It's the maximum amount of time we can afford to have our systems offline before it starts to seriously impact our business. For a startup, downtime can

Have you ever felt lost, wandering through life without a clear sense of direction? You're not alone. Many of us find ourselves drifting from one thing to the next, hoping to stumble upon success or happiness. But without a goal, we risk squandering our precious time and energy on endeavours that don't truly fulfill us. Let me be your guide to a more purposeful path. The Power of Purpose Setting a goal is like charting a course on a map. It provides focus, clarity, and motiva

I'll be honest – leading winning teams at 100+ hackathons (Microsoft, Google, BMW, the UN...you name it!) and building killer projects at major companies taught me something surprising: It's NOT just about the code. 🤯 Sure, brilliant programmers are essential. But the REAL magic happens when you embrace a diverse team – a wild mix of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives. This isn't just feel-good HR fluff, it's the rocket fuel for innovation. My Superpower Squad Let me int

Starting a company is exhilarating. It's a whirlwind of ideas, passion, and the thrill of creating something new. But as your startup grows, that initial energy can quickly turn into chaos if you don't have established processes. Trust me, I've been there. I'm Zeeshan Karamat, founder of 36ZeroVision, and I've learned firsthand the importance of building processes that evolve alongside your company. Here's why processes matter, and how to get them right from the start. The St

Having crisscrossed the globe 🌍, I've always believed that cities have distinct personalities. It's taken me eight years, countless plane tickets, and a few wrong turns, but I've finally found a place that mirrors my own introverted soul:Munich. Now, you might raise an eyebrow. Munich? Home of Oktoberfest🍻, bustling beer halls, and boisterous crowds? But beneath the surface revelry lies a city that caters surprisingly well to quiet contemplation and personal growth. My Muni

I'm not going to sugarcoat it – running sucks. Well, at least at first. Your lungs burn, your muscles scream, and somewhere a tiny voice whispers that Netflix and a comfy sofa await. But there's something about lacing up my shoes and hitting the pavement that keeps me coming back. It's the lesson of persistence. The thing about long-distance running is that it's not about immediate glory. It's about those small, hard-fought victories.The extra mile you push through. The plate

Ever felt that weird pull to hide away, even when a fantastic opportunity is right in front of you? Like, you know you should take that leap, but something inside is screaming "Nope!" That could be the sneaky Jonah Complex at work. What the Heck is the Jonah Complex? Remember Jonah from the Bible – dude who ran away from God's plan and ended up in a whale's belly? That's where this term comes from. It's that deep-seated fear of your own greatness. The voice saying, "Who am I

As a startup founder, I've learned that conferences are where the magic happens. Sure, they're exhausting – the prep, the demo, the three days on your feet – but they're also crazy valuable for a growing startup. Here's why I keep putting myself through "conference chaos": Market Validation (and a Crystal Ball)🔮: Conferences are like peeking into the future of your industry. You see the trends, where things are headed, and what innovations the big players are buzzing about.

I'll never forget that day in 2017. I was a small-town kid, fresh out of my comfort zone and wide-eyed in Munich, Germany. TUM was the goal — one of the best computer science master's programs around. I ditched the US with its crazy tuition fees and landed here, ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Hackathons, Coding All-Nighters, and…Wait, I Won?! Okay, the transition wasn't always easy. German was a whole new language (the coding kind was easier!). Introvert that I am, my

Okay, so imagine this: I'm at this crazy Google hackathon at my uni, the Technical University of Munich. It's a total geekfest – top students from everywhere, all hyped to build something awesome. Everyone's forming these mega-teams, but me and my buddy Florian? We're like, "Nah, we got this." Two-person squad, rollin' deep 💪. The judges were all 🙄 when we pitched our tiny team. Like, seriously? Could a coder and a business dude pull this off? But hey, we're scrappy. A few

Let's be real, if you're from Lahore like me, Munich winters are already a massive shock. Forget 45-50 degrees, we're talking about below zero here! After eight years in Germany, I was feeling like a pro at handling the cold... until I stumbled upon cryotherapy. Imagine this: willingly stepping into a chamber with temperatures between -110°C and -180°C. Why? Apparently, it does wonders like speeding up muscle recovery and burning crazy calories. Top athletes swear by it, and

It's a natural inclination to want our technology to be flawless, especially software that powers critical business processes. However, assuming any software is completely bug-free is unrealistic and can lead to damaging consequences. Understanding Software (and Human) Limitations Even the most meticulously crafted software, developed by highly skilled teams, will inevitably contain some bugs. Why? Because coding is a complex human endeavor, and errors are an unavoidable part

Picture this: Munich, 2019. I'm surrounded by the buzz of an automotive industry programming competition. I've got this itch, this nagging thought... quality inspection is stuck in the past. Heavy hardware, fixed setups – it's inefficient. The idea hits me: what if AI could change all that? What if any camera, anywhere, could become a smart quality control tool? Against the Odds The thing is, I'm a bit of a hackathon addict. 100+ wins under my belt, from complex 3D tech to pr

I am incredibly honoured to be featured on Nasdaq and share what we do at 36ZERO Vision to advance UN SDGs 💫. I used to read Nasdaq in high school as a university student and I never thought I’d be interviewed for their website one day! 🥹 #manufacturing #changemakers #deeplearning #genai #computervision Please read more at https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/zeeshan-karamat%3A-building-a-more-sustainable-and-efficient-future-for-manufacturing

I've always had a fire for innovation and a drive to push boundaries. Over the years, that's led me to participate in over 100 hackathons around the world. I've experienced the thrill of victory (Microsoft, Siemens, Tetrapak, Google, BMW, Audi, Oxford Uni, GNSS, UN, and many more!) as well as the sting of defeat. But one thing's for sure: I've learned a ton, and I'm ready to share my survival guide with you. 10 Commandments of a Hackathon Champion 1. Dream Fearlessly Don't be