Illan Knafou

Crypto Made Clear - Follow the journey at ulysapp.com I drive the end-to-end AI vision - shaping strategy, contributing hands-on to core systems, and aligning cross-functional execution to build scalable, secure, and regulation-ready AI that powers key user experiences.

NexeraID is the first self-sovereign identity issuance & verification platform that empowers companies to seamlessly onboard users to Web3 using self-custodial or custodial wallets and streamline complex compliance workflows while safeguarding users’ identity and assets. Within a team of +30 people, I manage the full AI lifecycle—from initial product discovery to production deployment. My work focuses on creating and deploying advanced solutions using multi-agent LLMs, function calling, MLOps/LLMOps monitoring, open-source model finetuning, scalable RAG pipelines using knowledge graph, and robust data pipeline management.

Acolad stands as an international leader in language and content solutions, services, and technologies. Represented by its flagship brands Acolad, TextMaster, and Ubiqus, the group boasts a global presence in 25 countries. At its core, Acolad leverages a vast network comprising over 2,500 internal experts and more than 20,000 external linguists worldwide, reflecting its expansive reach and expertise in the industry. My role involves overseeing the entire product lifecycle from ideation to launch, focusing on requirement gathering, roadmap definition, and development management using agile methodologies. With a deep understanding of AI technologies such as NLP, OCR, ASR, and LLMs, I lead a talented cross-functional team, comprising elite data scientists, engineers, and researchers, to forge cutting-edge AI solutions that set new industry benchmarks.

• Selfreplicon (10 months), an AI-driven platform that automates content creation for social media managers. Role: Developed alone the whole product including OAuth, backend user updates, frontend features like payment and user dashboards, and automation of finetuning opensource foundation LLMs. • Yap! (7 months), a decentralized invoice factoring platform enabling freelancers to get paid before due dates, leveraging a commission determined by a co-developed scoring algorithm. Role: Oversaw technical discovery ensuring product desirability, viability, and feasibility in collaboration with tech (in partnership with DataLab & DeFiLab of Institut Louis Bachelier), strategy, and design teams. • Financeresponsable.com (2 months), a media platform advocating for sustainable finance through personalized ESG investment advice subscriptions. Role: Led market research, business planning, and technical feasibility assessment, aligning quality, cost, and timeline constraints.

Human Divergence is a mobile game based on blockchain offering a dystopian universe and an evolving storyline co-created with the community. Between collaborative manga and immersive experiences, the company aims to allow its players to play beyond the game, making them actors of their own gaming journey. • Integrated cutting-edge technologies in-house to develop game mechanics that operate entirely on-chain. • Managed a team of 8 people, overseeing the development of innovative blockchain-based game mechanics. • Forged key partnerships with GameFi industry leaders as a member of the Blockchain Game Alliance. • Launched a token-gated collaborative manga in both digital and physical formats, pioneering a unique and engaging storytelling experience. • Effectively incubated at PyratzLabs and Télécom Paris, harnessing their invaluable resources and mentorship to propel innovation and foster substantial growth. • Successfully secured a preseed round in funding with the support of industry experts.

Intern journalist for Les Echos Start, a media aimed at young people and carried by the group Les Echos. Notably present on the web, it is a multi-support media with regularly print supplements to Les Echos. • Demonstrated expertise by authoring over 15 articles on technical startups, delivering comprehensive analyses and valuable insights to readers. • Secured exclusive interviews with top entrepreneurs, offering readers privileged perspectives from influential figures in the startup world. • Leveraged data analysis techniques to elevate marketing performance, resulting in optimized strategies for the startups under review.

• Ranked 2nd in a prestigious Total and Télécom Paris Datathon, showcasing strong data analysis and problem-solving skills. • Spearheaded initiatives to reduce carbon footprint within in-house teams by leveraging k-means clustering on extensive sustainability datasets, including energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. • Developed advanced predictive models to forecast energy demand, enabling proactive identification of risks and opportunities, and enhancing overall decision-making processes.

• Conducted in-depth research on historical migration data to the UK from various European countries, exploring the influence of international migration on the dissemination of specific norms, notably fertility behavior during the 19th and 20th centuries. • Authored compelling articles addressing the discrimination issue for special editions of Le Point, a prominent French weekly newspaper. • Investigated and implemented optimal order placement strategies and trading mechanisms to enhance the assessment of market fluctuations. • Contributed to the development of website sections for the research department, ensuring an effective online presence for research findings.