‘AI FOMO’: Why this Google techie left the tech giant even after getting Rs 9.5 crore salary
To talk Business ContentImran said Google offered excellent salaries, but the rapid rise of artificial intelligence made him rethink his future. “I made nearly $1 million as an account manager at Google last year, but I felt a bit of “FOMO” around the AI boom.”
He added: “I think most people at Google would tell you the same if they were sincere.”
Artificial intelligence has changed the perspective on salaries and equity
Imran said compensation at AI companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic also influenced his thinking. “Google pays very well, but the capital packages at OpenAI and Anthropic are in a different universe. A three- or four-year equity grant to one of these companies could be life-changing money.”
This comparison made him wonder if he should focus on creating equity in his own business instead of helping build someone else’s company.
From Bangladesh to Google: Building a sales career
Imran moved to New York from Bangladesh with his family when he was five years old and grew up in Queens. He chose a career in sales because he believed success depended on talent rather than formal qualifications.
He joined Google in 2020 after spending nearly 15 years in sales, helping customers use the company’s artificial intelligence and machine learning products to solve business problems.
His base salary last year was about $170,000, with commissions making up the bulk of his earnings, bringing his total W-2 income to about $986,000.
Reflecting on his journey, he said: “I think part of my success has been due to what I call the immigrant rush. My family moved from Bangladesh to New York when I was five, and I grew up believing that if you don’t work, you won’t get results.”
Curiosity and artificial intelligence experiments
Imran also stated that his curiosity helped him become successful. He has spent years learning about his clients’ businesses while developing a deep understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning, allowing him to deliver practical solutions. Outside of work, his interest in artificial intelligence has become even stronger. He spent weekends testing tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, starting with small personal projects and moving on to more ambitious AI applications.
Fear of dismissal strengthened his determination
Repeated layoffs at Google also played a major role in his decision to leave. “I also considered my job security at Google, given the company’s layoffs in previous years. What struck me about the recent round of layoffs at Google was that they affected truly talented people. The uncertainty of a potential layoff was another factor in my decision to bet on myself.”
Launch of Mangosteen Studio
In April, after six years at Google, Imran left to found Mangosteen Studio, an AI product lab that develops sales tools for account managers. “The thesis is simple: I spent 20 years moving quota at some of the largest companies, so I’m developing tools I wish I had.”
He made sure he had adequate financial support before resigning. He set aside $200,000 to finance the business for two years and $150,000 to cover his mortgage and personal expenses. His goal was to rely on his own savings for as long as possible rather than raising outside investment.
Today, Imran runs the business as a solo founder, supported by a small team of engineers, marketers and contractors. He said many sales professionals have already tested the company’s AI tools for free, giving him confidence that the products solve real customer problems.
‘Right moment to take risks’
Looking back, Imran believes that the AI revolution has created unprecedented opportunities for people willing to take calculated risks. “Ultimately, I realized that leaving Google meant leaving a lot behind, both financially and professionally. But my confidence and domain expertise made me feel like this was the right moment to take the risk.”
