Kisson Lin, founder and CEO of Tanka, will headline a key discussion at the upcoming TechCrunch Sessions: AI conference. Scheduled for June 5 at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall, Lin’s session—titled “Your Next Co-Founder Will Be AI”—will delve into how AI technologies are enabling solo entrepreneurs to scale businesses that can effectively compete against larger organizations.
Lin is an established figure in the tech and artificial intelligence sectors, having drawn attention with her leadership at Tanka, a company known for its advanced AI-driven messaging platform. Tanka’s solution offers long-term memory and adaptive learning capabilities designed specifically for team environments. Since its October 2024 beta launch, the company claims the platform has saved users a cumulative 111 workdays through automated, intelligent responses.
Prior to founding Tanka, Lin held notable roles at major technology companies such as Meta, in Singapore, and TikTok, in Beijing, where she contributed significantly to the e-commerce and advertising monetization strategies. She is also a veteran entrepreneur, having co-founded Mindverse AI, where, as Chief Operating Officer, she helped develop AI services including Me.bot, an intelligent note-taking solution, and MindOS, an operating platform for AI agents.
With a master’s degree in data science and business statistics from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lin merges her deep understanding of AI, memory systems, and collaboration tools into her professional pursuits. Additionally, her personal passion for neuroscience and science fiction literature greatly influences her technological innovations, emphasizing the critical role that memory plays in artificial intelligence and learning.
At TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Lin will offer insights not only into Tanka’s proprietary AI-memory technologies but also the broader landscape of AI-native entrepreneurship. Her session will discuss tactical strategies and indispensable tools that allow individual founders and small startups to generate significant value efficiently, without the necessity of expansive teams or extensive venture capital funding.
The conference itself will draw around 1,000 entrepreneurs, developers, and AI strategists, positioning itself as an essential event for individuals forging paths in the rapid evolution of AI technologies. Alongside Lin, the conference program features several other high-profile speakers, including Anthropic co-founder Jared Kaplan, Databricks co-founder Ion Stoica, and DeepMind senior product manager Logan Kilpatrick.
Lin’s presentation is anticipated to be a highlight, offering vital perspectives for founders and innovators keen on harnessing AI’s potential to transform startup workflows and business development models.
