How Amir Kanpurwala (BS ’09) Built a Smarter Way to Understand Consumers

The article tells the story of Amir Kanpurwala (BS ’09) and how he turned curiosity and early entrepreneurial instincts into a market research innovation. Growing up in New Jersey, Amir’s first business was selling Coke on the school bus — a small start that foreshadowed a career rooted in curiosity and risk.

After graduating from NYU Stern, he worked in marketing and tech across New York and San Francisco, including at Google and Wells Fargo, and even launched an iOS app that didn’t take off but taught him resilience.

His big turning point came at Harris Poll, where he helped modernize market research tools — sparking the idea for Outward Intelligence, the AI-powered platform he co-founded. The company uses artificial intelligence to improve how companies design surveys, detect fraud, and generate insights — reducing what once took weeks down to hours. Their clients include brands across tech, consumer goods, and healthcare.

Amir credits the Stern alumni network with helping him launch and grow the business. Reaching out to fellow alumni unlocked advice, support, and even clients — underscoring how powerful alumni connections can be.

He also says his Stern education prepared him to wear many hats as a founder, from finance and marketing to operations, and cherishes experiences like standout professors and an international semester abroad.

Now based in Los Angeles, Amir balances startup life with family and hobbies, and offers simple advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Keep the faith. Learn to lose until you start to win.”

See full article here.

‍

https://www.stern.nyu.edu/portal-partners/alumni/alumni-news-profiles/news/how-amir-kanpurwala-bs-09-built-smarter-way-understand-consumers

‍