I'm Omer, a tech optimist building products to solve meaninful problems.
*most recently in Insurance Tech at Vouch Insurance
My passion is building products that solve real-world problems, which I currently channel into exploring the AI world. My journey has taken me from dropping out of high school in Istanbul and moving to New York City to living in a Bay Area hacker house and finally returning to New York City.
My Story
1995 - Hello World
Born in Istanbul
had great childhood (thanks mom and dad!)
2012
Dropped out of high school
Convinced parents to send me to New York
Could only speak very limited English
Had never been abroad before 🗽
2013
Initially thought I was going to be working on rockets then pivoted to Industrial Engineering
challenges of being on a visa
2017
Graduated from Penn State
Started as a management consultant
realized it wasn't for me
A layover in the Bay Area
everything changed
Left consulting job
2018
Moved to Menlo Park 🌉
Lived in a hacker house 🧑💻
Got myself into the world of startups, a beatiful chaos
thank you, Jeff for giving me a shot
15+ roommates for close to a year
loved every minute of it!
2018-2024
Lived all over the Peninsula
Met incredible people
learned what building products really means
2024
Moved back to New York 🗽
full circle moment
Exploring the AI world
always eager to learn and explore new ideas
2025
Left Vouch Insurance
Instead of taking an offer immediately, decided to take a step back
Traveled in Southeast Asia like Anthony Bourdain
Spent extended time with family in Istanbul
Right now, exploring my next thing
Taking it all in...
My passion is building products that solve real-world problems, which I currently channel into exploring the AI world. My journey has taken me from dropping out of high school in Istanbul and moving to New York City to living in a Bay Area hacker house and finally returning to New York City.
1995 - Hello World
Born in Istanbul
had great childhood (thanks mom and dad!)
2012
Dropped out of high school
Convinced parents to send me to New York
Could only speak very limited English
Had never been abroad before 🗽
2013
Initially thought I was going to be working on rockets then pivoted to Industrial Engineering
challenges of being on a visa
2017
Graduated from Penn State
Started as a management consultant
realized it wasn't for me
A layover in the Bay Area
everything changed
Left consulting job
2018
Moved to Menlo Park 🌉
Lived in a hacker house 🧑💻
Got myself into the world of startups, a beatiful chaos
thank you, Jeff for giving me a shot
15+ roommates for close to a year
loved every minute of it!
2018-2024
Lived all over the Peninsula
Met incredible people
learned what building products really means
2024
Moved back to New York 🗽
full circle moment
Exploring the AI world
always eager to learn and explore new ideas
2025
Left Vouch Insurance
Instead of taking an offer immediately, decided to take a step back
Traveled in Southeast Asia like Anthony Bourdain
Spent extended time with family in Istanbul
Right now, exploring my next thing
Taking it all in...
These movies and shows have been my companions through different phases of life. From the philosophical depth of Good Will Hunting to the visual spectacle of Interstellar, each one has left a lasting impression on how I see the world.
working on something new...