Karim Varela

Mobile architreneur and leader: President of SocialTagg, Director of Engineering at Tinder. Previously started i-booze.com in Seattle and CivilizedSoftware. CS degree of UCSB and MBA from UF.

Website: http://karimvarela.com
Los Angeles, California, United States
Member since February 14, 2014

I enjoy the challenges of creating a business from scratch and solving problems. Quote_down

About

Education

2003 University of California , BA , Computer Science

2013 University of Florida , MBA , Business

Companies I've founded or co-founded:

CivilizedSoftware, i-booze.com, SocialTagg

Companies I work or worked for:

SocialTagg, i-booze.com, Atlas Mobile

If you're an entrepreneur or corporate innovator, why?

I want to change the world.

My favorite startups:

Tinder, Snapchat

What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?

The most frustrating part about entrepreneurship is not having enough time to build all the cool stuff that we want. The most rewarding part is seeing our ideas come to life!

What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs/innovators make?

Building something nobody wants.

What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?

1. Pay attention to what your users want.
2. Follow the law.
3. Thing big.

Full bio

Karim is leading SocialTagg, a startup that is redefining how people check into and network at events (http://socialtagg.com).

Karim is also the head of Android at Tinder and has almost ten years of mobile application development experience. Karim is currently responsible for leading all facets of Tinder's Android program.

In addition, he's advising TrailerPop (http://trailerpop.com), a startup that turns trailer watching into a social game.

He's earned an MBA from the University of Florida and a bachelors degree in computer science from the University of California.

He was also a tech reviewer for the book Pro Android 4.

• Technically skilled, motivational leader with excellent communication skills, incredible drive, and a great ability to think outside the box.
• Well-versed in many disciplines in the mobile industry from application production to network research & development. Have dealt with all major US carriers and European carriers as well.
• Proven web-developer and founder of web-development company with knowledge of both the private and enterprise sectors.
• A self-starter possessing the talents and awareness to succeed and excel in the business and corporate world.
• Excellent public speaker and evangelist.