At Capex, our engineers play a key role in driving innovation and tackling complex challenges. To give you an inside look into the life of a Capex engineer, we sat down with Akhil Surapuram, a server-side engineer based in Florida, USA. Akhil shares his journey, thoughts on engineering, and how his role at Capex is shaping his career.
Introduction and Background
— Hey Akhil, thanks for sitting down with us today! Let’s start with your journey—can you tell us about yourself and how you became an engineer at Capex?
Akhil: Sure! I’m originally from India, where my journey into technology began. After completing my education, I spent four years as a software engineer, primarily focusing on backend development while also exploring frontend technologies and AI analytics.
Eager to expand my expertise, I moved to the U.S. for my master’s degree, where I had the opportunity to work on AI-driven security projects designed for law enforcement agencies. These projects involved analyzing photos and videos at scale to help officers solve cases more efficiently—real-world applications of AI that had a direct impact on public safety. It was an eye-opening experience, blending cutting-edge technology with high-stakes problem-solving.
As rewarding as that was, I wanted to transition back into the industry, tackling scalable, high-impact AI solutions. That’s when I discovered Capex—a company that not only aligned with my technical passions but also challenged me to grow in new ways.
Discovering Capex and First Impressions
— That’s an exciting journey! How did you first come across Capex, and what convinced you to join?
Akhil: My job search led me to Capex on Wellfound (formerly AngelList) at a pivotal moment—I was actively seeking a role that would push my limits and expand my expertise. The company immediately stood out, not just for its cutting-edge AI and platform development, but for the kind of bold, forward-thinking engineering culture I was looking for.
Even though my tech stack wasn’t a perfect match, I saw an opportunity, not a barrier. Capex’s work with Azure’s cloud-native services (like Functions, SQL Database, and Web Apps) , serverless architecture presented the kind of challenge that excites me—the chance to dive into advanced conversational AI solutions and be part of something truly transformative. I knew this was a place where I could grow, innovate, and contribute to a team pushing boundaries in AI technology.
A Day in the Life at Capex
— Now that you’ve been with Capex for some time, what does a typical day look like for you?
Akhil: Working remotely from the U.S. means my day is a dynamic blend of strategic planning, problem-solving, and cutting-edge development. I start by mapping out priorities, ensuring my tasks align with the broader engineering roadmap. Since our team spans across Japan and South Korea, I carefully orchestrate my meetings to maximize the overlap, making every discussion count.
Collaboration is at the heart of my workflow—we rely on Slack for real-time communication, scheduled deep-dive calls for complex problem-solving, and shared documentation to keep our work synchronized across time zones. My daily tasks are an exciting mix of architecting backend systems, refining AI-powered search capabilities with Azure, debugging intricate technical challenges, and designing scalable solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Every day presents a new challenge and an opportunity to innovate—and that’s what keeps it exhilarating!
— Every job has its challenges. What has been the biggest challenge for you so far at Capex?
Akhil: I view these situations not as challenges but as opportunities to refine our systems—natural growth points for any scaling organization. A key area we’re optimizing is modernizing parts of our legacy stack, which currently includes dependencies like Windows virtual machines on macOS and deprecated tooling. These workflows require significant effort to maintain, with teams often navigating compatibility hurdles that drain time better spent on innovation.
For instance, migrating from legacy frameworks like .NET or outdated virtualization setups could streamline development cycles by 40% or more, freeing engineers to focus on high-impact work. The exciting part? Capex fosters a culture where proactive problem-solving is the norm. We’re not just iterating on existing systems—we’re reimagining infrastructure to align with modern best practices, ensuring we stay agile and competitive.
What I love about Capex is that innovation isn’t just encouraged—it’s expected. We’re not just talking about change; we’re actively shaping the future of our tech stack to stay ahead of the curve.
Future Goals and Career Aspirations
— Looking ahead, where do you see yourself in your career?
Akhil: I envision a future where I’m at the forefront of innovation—guiding companies, shaping engineering teams, and driving technology to new heights. My ultimate goal is to become a tech leader who not only builds but also inspires, helping startups scale efficiently and optimizing systems for peak performance.
I see multiple exciting paths ahead. Whether it’s stepping into a CTO role, becoming a principal engineer at a major tech company, or advising a portfolio of ambitious startups, I want to be where big ideas turn into reality.
Life Beyond Work
— Let’s switch gears—what do you do for fun outside of work?
Akhil: Volleyball is my current obsession! But I’m always up for a new challenge—I tend to switch sports every few years. Before volleyball, it was racquetball. Who knows what’s next? Sports aren’t just a hobby for me; they’re my way of staying sharp, de-stressing, and keeping the competitive spirit alive.
— That’s awesome! What’s your MBTI personality type?
Akhil: I actually haven’t taken the test, but if I had to guess, I’d say I’m naturally more reserved outside of work. But in a professional setting, communication is everything. I make it a priority to engage actively, collaborate, and make sure everyone’s on the same page. After all, great ideas don’t happen in isolation!
The Future of AI and Technology
— One final question—do you think AI will replace human jobs in the next few years?
Akhil: AI is undeniably reshaping industries, much like the Industrial Revolution once did. But will it replace humans entirely? I don’t think so. AI isn’t a replacement—it’s an amplifier. It will take over repetitive, predictable tasks, but human ingenuity, creativity, and problem-solving will always push beyond AI’s limits.
Think of it this way: if AI can handle the task at the N level, humans always have the capability to find the next level “N+1” that drives innovation forward. The real key is to evolve with AI, learning how to collaborate with it rather than blame it. The key is to adapt, learn, and collaborate with AI, rather than fear it.
Final Thoughts
— Thanks for sharing your journey, Akhil! Any final thoughts for engineers considering joining Capex?
Akhil: If you’re an engineer who thrives on solving complex challenges, pushing the boundaries of technology, and growing alongside a talented team, Capex is where you want to be. Here, innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s woven into everything we do. You’ll get the chance to work on cutting-edge projects, collaborate with brilliant minds, and continuously sharpen your skills. If you’re looking for a place that values curiosity, creativity, and impact, Capex is calling.
Akhil’s journey is a testament to the growth opportunities at Capex. If you’re interested in joining a fast-paced, globally connected engineering team, check out our career opportunities today!
1. Introduction
Capex supports our client companies’ digital marketing and sales activities through our dialogue systems, helping them to build deeper connections with their customers. By utilizing these systems, we create new touchpoints and enable efficient communication, which was previously unattainable with traditional digital marketing or individual-oriented sales efforts.
2. Business Expansion
Since 2022, we have offered B2B services with our “PickUp” solution, which supports digital marketing, and our “Character Platform,” which automates sales activities through AI. These dialogue systems maximize digital marketing results and enhance the efficiency of lead generation in sales activities. Leveraging our accumulated expertise in constructing effective dialogue strategies, we have achieved outstanding results and established partnerships with companies across various industries.
Looking ahead, we aim to generate unparalleled results in digital marketing and accelerate the adoption of AI in sales activities, promoting collaborative efforts between humans and AI.
In terms of international expansion, we entered the U.S. market in 2024, and we are now exploring further expansions into other Asian markets and Europe.
3. Key Products: PickUp and Character Platform
PickUp
PickUp is designed to enhance conversion rates on landing pages where users often leave. It targets users who leave the page, have low-interest levels, or fail to reach conversion due to unresolved questions or concerns. By engaging in dialogue, we help resolve potential customers’ doubts, boost engagement, and guide them toward conversion. Conversion rates vary from 6% to 50%, depending on the industry and product type, reflecting the positive experience we provide to prospective customers. PickUp also helps potential customers understand our client’s services and concepts, supporting their decision-making process.
Character Platform
The Character Platform allows us to create custom dialogue AI characters for companies that convey brand values and foster customer engagement. By bridging the psychological distance between the customer and the company, the Character Platform enhances familiarity with the brand and provides more intimate communication. This solution can bring potential needs to the surface, increase appointment rates, and maximize results through combined efforts with human sales teams.
Moving forward, we will continue to expand these services while addressing our clients’ digital marketing challenges and developing features and products that enhance our dialogue systems.
4. Organizational Expansion Efforts
To ensure more clients can benefit from our services, we are focused on building a scalable sales structure. Effective dialogue communication requires high-quality consulting and proposals for our clients, advanced and accelerated strategy planning, production, and analysis, and a robust operational framework to deliver our services swiftly and accurately. In terms of management, we are steadily advancing our governance system, internal controls, and rapid business operations. As we have been operating leanly thus far, our teams remain relatively small. As we continue to expand, each member will play a critical role in executing ideas and enhancing client value, making this phase particularly exciting for all involved.
5. Conclusion
Capex is committed to helping companies worldwide establish deeper connections with their customers through dialogue AI. We seek to expand our global client base and achieve continued growth. Our journey has only just begun, and we are eager to collaborate with innovative companies and individuals to create new value across the world with dialogue AI. If you share our mission and are interested in joining us, we encourage you to apply.