Founder’s Unique Path to Silicon Valley Could Enhance Industrial Tech Landscape
Thomas Lee Young, a 24-year-old CEO of the San Francisco-based startup Interface, is reshaping industrial safety with AI, and his unconventional journey sets him apart in Silicon Valley. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Young’s diverse background—he speaks with a Caribbean accent yet carries a Chinese surname—adds depth to his storytelling during business meetings.
Growing up amidst oil rigs and engineering, thanks to a family lineage steeped in the industry, Young’s formative experiences have driven his ambition to innovate within heavy industry. Inspired by documentaries on Silicon Valley, he was determined to attend Caltech, even crafting a creative application about transforming his family’s Roomba into a 3D mapping tool. His acceptance in 2020, however, coincided with pandemic challenges that disrupted his educational and visa plans.
Pivoting to a mechanical engineering program at the University of Bristol, Young remained focused on his Silicon Valley aspirations. During his time at Jaguar Land Rover, he uncovered significant flaws in the existing safety documentation processes used in heavy industry. Recognizing the need for an intelligent solution, Young sought to pitch a safety management tool to Jaguar, but met with resistance that spurred him to seek external opportunities.
After successfully applying to Entrepreneur First, a selective talent incubator, Young partnered with Aaryan Mehta, a fellow international entrepreneur with a background in AI. United by their diverse experiences, they founded Interface, which leverages AI to autonomously audit safety practices in industrial operations.
Interface’s technology aims to drastically reduce the margin for error in operational procedures. For instance, their software recently identified over 10,800 improvements in the workflows of a major Canadian energy company in just a few months, saving significant time and costs that would have traditionally accrued during manual reviews.
With an ambitious addressable market of approximately 27,000 oil and gas service firms in the U.S. alone, Interface is positioned to play a pivotal role in advancing safety standards in heavy industry. Young’s unique approach and youthful perspective allow him to connect with seasoned industry veterans, opening doors that would otherwise remain closed.
Operating from their San Francisco headquarters, the small but growing team at Interface faces the challenge of scaling quickly to meet rising demand. As Young reflects on his life in Silicon Valley, he appreciates the reality of the tech ecosystem—a contrast to his upbringing in Trinidad—while remaining committed to making a meaningful impact in industrial safety.
Interface’s innovative vision and Young’s personal journey could potentially revolutionize safety measures across various sectors, demonstrating how diverse backgrounds and experiences can lead to transformative industry solutions.
