So, you're keen to dig a bit deeper into who I am?
Well, I'm glad to have you here. And here's the good news: I won't be talking in third-person. This isn't a eulogy, after all (not yet at least)
Really, it's just me – or, more accurately, a past version of myself – having a chat with you
And hey, if you’re curious about something I didn’t address or just want to chat, don't be shy – shoot me a DM on Twitter
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Ian Cody
@iancodyx
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I live in Dumbo, Brooklyn, near that IG photo op between the bridge-and-buildings
By day, I’m the Chief of Staff at a Stealth B2B Startup.
We're busy building an AI-powered trust engine for second-hand marketplaces - because let's be real, sellers and buyers don't always see eye to eye when it comes to "mint" condition
Previous Stuff
Want to go back in time?
I kicked off my career in media, diving deep into data at Epix (now MGM+).
Here, I spotted the market shift toward streaming before Netflix dropped its first original. Spoiler: I wasn’t wrong.
When I pitched the D2C streaming model, the response was always, “That’s not our business model.”
To be fair, I was just an intern, but it was a front-row seat to the innovator’s dilemma beyond the pages of a book
This experience became the catalyst for my pivot toward startups and tech
Over the years, I’ve worked across consumer social, fintech, healthcare, home renovation, and most recently, 'Stealth AI'—along with 25% of LinkedIn.
IAC
I was part of the incubator division at IAC—the OG internet holding company behind Angi Inc., Vimeo, Match Group (Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid), Expedia, and Ticketmaster.
Newco
We built multiple zero-to-one startups, resulting in spinoffs and companies now generating tens of millions in revenue. I was fortunate to work alongside some incredibly talented folks.
Swiss Ops
Before that, I ran my digital studio, partnering with founders, startups, and Fortune 500s
Cue the ‘we’ve worked with’ section: Meta, Paramount, etc.
Venture Crush
Earlier in my career, I was part of the Venture Crush Accelerator. Some of my cohort-mates hit it big
Me? I learned invaluable dos and don’ts when launching a startup
During this time, I built a few social consumer apps focused on genuine interactions over vanity metrics and status games
I thought I was starting the next Facebook—consider it a rite of passage for the ambitious, young, and naive.
Read More
There’s more to the story—ups and downs, successes and failures, side quests, and countless ideas that never got off the ground
If you want to dive deeper into my experiences and love corporate jargon, check out my LinkedIn or click the LinkedIn-esque timeline below for the “Trust Me, Bro” format
Outside the Office:
I'm a live music connoisseur. I especially love checking out up-and-coming artists in small venues across the city. But of course, I go to big gigs too - stadiums, festivals, arenas
Speaking of concerts, you have any niche collections? Mine are these limited edition posters from the gigs I attend. Each one is a numbered, exclusive piece of art, tied to the artist, venue, and date. Here’s a peek at part of my collection
On the topic of IRL, not-on-your-couch activities, going to the movies is another favorite of mine. Pro tip for New Yorkers: The IMAX in Lincoln Center is a must-visit – it’s the 2nd biggest theatre in North America and an absolute cinematic experience
Favorite movie? Interstellar. As the renowned philosopher Lil Yachty once put it:
One More Things
Still here? Wow, okay, here are a few one more things
If I had to use one word to describe myself, it would be “Navigator”
In my career, I’ve built products, designed apps, written copy, managed teams, recruited talent, filed legal work (I’m not a lawyer), done sales—you name it
So, jack of all trades, master of none? People who speak in absolutes say this is a bad thing, but Sam Altman recently said the best founders are generalists
Why? It doesn’t mean having no skills at all; it’s actually the opposite
Being self-aware of more talented individuals while maintaining a broad skill set allows me to both recognize talent and identify problems and challenges in different areas of a business
And most importantly, by getting my hands dirty and never thinking any task is beneath me, I’ve gained respect from the people I’ve worked with
But I don’t just navigate at work—I’m charting my own course in life, too
But I don’t just navigate at work—I’m charting my own course in life, too
My side quest/obsession for the last 10 years has been finding better ways to navigate our digital lives
Over the years, I’ve poured thousands of hours into researching human-computer interaction, studying what makes us click, scroll, and swipe because, let’s face it, our devices are addictive
And to be clear, I’m not suggesting we throw our devices out the window
Instead, I’ve been building systems that put us back in the driver’s seat of our digital lives—making tech work for us, not the other way around
I’ll share more on this another day, but for now, that about wraps it up, folks.
I’m impressed you made it this far. DM me an Interstellar reference, and we’ll instantly become MySpace friends