This December, we’re highlighting two exemplary employees: Nauris Dorbe, Head of Data, Cloud and AI, and Susie Kim, Account Executive! We’ll dive into what made them excited about joining Brainbase, their productive workday routines and unforgettable work memories they’ve had with us.

Give a brief history of your previous experience and what made you decide to be a part of Brainbase.  

Nauris: I started my career at a communications equipment manufacturing company. I worked there as a Wireless Engineer and Test Software Engineer. After MikroTik, I worked at a software development company where I built my first Machine Learning product, car and license plate recognition system which were used by the government for speed cameras. At the same time, I wrote my first paper and joined a research institute. My main research topic was self-driving cars. During this time, I created a remotely-controlled car which was able to drive itself 20 minutes after learning from human driving. Afterwards, I joined a telco company as Chief Data Scientist. After, I moved from Latvia to Estonia, and I worked at Ericsson as Data and AI Architecture Lead. I was able to build advanced robotics and data solutions which were used in production.

I joined Brainbase because I saw a great opportunity for an innovative software-driven company transforming the licensing business and beyond. Besides, I had a wonderful experience during my interview with Karl. 

Susie: My previous work experience spans all different industries, but I always find myself back in tech. I entered the startup space 4 years ago, and I loved the fast paced, scrappy, creative energy of helping build something from the ground up. Brainbase has a great product that I believe will transform the industry so it was easy to make the decision to come on board.

Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?

Nauris: My team and I are working in three directions: Data, Cloud and Artificial Intelligence. I wouldn’t be lying by saying that everything we do is exciting.

I will just mention a few things here which I think will bring big value to customers and competitive advantage for Brainbase:

• Analytics. Provide easily accessible and understandable insights about the platform and business.
• Recommendations and advanced search which will bring customers the right information at the right time.

Susie: We’ve got so many exciting feature updates for 2021 that it is tough to choose just 1! 

How do you think Brainbase is changing the licensing industry?  

Susie: Brainbase is making it much easier for licensing professionals to get their work done and not leave money on the table. We’re giving more power and visibility for licensors to organize, track, and analyze their data. We’re also making it much easier to communicate whether internally or with a partner across the globe, which is much needed while the majority of teams are remote.

What motivates you? 

Nauris: Good cause and progress as an individual and group.

Susie: Helping build something new and different. Also, food.

How do you measure success (with Brainbase or yourself)?

Nauris: Usually there is no one way to measure success. However, a good starting point is long-term happiness for me, family, customers and stakeholders. If you achieve them in combination, then you must be doing something right.

Susie: Always learning, growing, improving my craft.

Where do you want the company to be at in 3 years?

Nauris: Unicorn.

Susie: A global market leader in the IP industry

What makes you passionate about Brainbase?

Nauris: Our position in the market and ability to execute makes me passionate about working at Brainbase.

Susie: The products are forward thinking and can help people work better, faster, and smarter. Innovation excites me, and so does bringing new and easy technology to replace slow and manual systems. Not only that, but I get to see the reactions to the Assist demo firsthand. You know you have an amazing product when licensing industry vets are impressed and say they’ve never seen anything like it.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

Nauris: A typical workday consists of me building Machine Learning and Data solutions, software engineering and data science. I am committed to helping the team to achieve more by maintaining our roadmap, strategy and giving context on higher-level company goals.

My rhythm: Wake up at six in the morning, eat breakfast, and work (from home). I then have lunch with my wife and newborn, and I like to take a walk or run outside. I go back to work, spend time with my family and eat dinner until 7pm (when the baby goes to sleep). To end the day, I study and read until sleep time at 10 pm. I’ve been very consistent for the last 8 months. 

Susie: My day consists of making new connections, emails, zoom calls with my team and sharing demos of our Assist platform

Favorite go-to restaurant in LA (or anywhere you’re from )?

Nauris: I don’t have a favorite go-to restaurant, but any place that is near and has decent food with family extras is right up my alley.

Susie: It’s impossible to have 1 favorite, but I love a hole in the wall sushi spot on the West side called Shibiku. It’s a no frills, brown rice sushi restaurant with the freshest fish and melt in your mouth specialty nigiri. Highly recommend.

Do you have any after-work hobbies/activities? 

Nauris: Software Engineering, AI and Mountain Biking (though we don’t have mountains here).

Susie: Pre-Covid, my favorite after-work activities involved seeing live music and dancing with friends, preferably in an outdoor setting. In Covid, I’ve grown my plant collection 10x and like to unwind by making art or playing music.

Any favorite office/work-interaction memories?

Nauris: That one time in the old city. 

Susie: I joined Brainbase remotely in August, so no office memories yet. But my favorite work interactions are almost every morning when my teammates Matt and Ted send a group slack with how many miles they ran or biked that morning already, sometimes accompanied with a photo of the sunrise. (By the time I see it I’ve usually only accomplished brushing my teeth and making a breakfast burrito) They always set the tone with a positive attitude and it is a great way to start each day.