Exclusive Interview with Ugur Yekta Basak CEO of artlabs

Meet Ugur Yekta Basak CEO of artlabs

First of all, how are you and your team doing?

I am great, and our team is highly motivated, especially these days. Our team is getting bigger, welcoming new colleagues and onboarding new clients.

Tell us about you, your career, and how you founded artlabs?

I received my bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering at the top university in Turkey, Bogazici University. I completed my master’s studies at Koc University related to the simulation of augmented reality displays and computer vision and published scientific papers.

During my master’s studies, I worked as a research assistant in an AR/VR laboratory with my partner, a Ph.D. student. These devices were apparently about changing our lives, but creating an immersive experience was too hard, and 3D content generation was a bottleneck. So, we decided to democratize 3D content generation and make the immersive experience available for everyone.

We founded artlabs three years ago with my partners right after graduation, and I shifted into the business side. Now, I am responsible for investor relations, sales, and team building.

What is artlabs?

artlabs provides 3D & AR production at scale for commerce and metaverse. We generate interoperable 3D content via modern AI algorithms, distributing them with an API-first solution to create immersive experiences. We are bridging physical and digital commerce, collaborating with leading global retailers and marketplaces.

Why did you decide to become a business owner?

I worked in big institutions, startups, and academics before and was not feeling entirely comfortable when I felt like I had a slight effect on the entire institution. I was always interested in leadership and culture building on my own. When the timing meets opportunity and technical capabilities, I started the business without considering the cost.

What is your biggest success?

I was an honor student during my high school and university years. But, my most significant achievement is building the artlabs with exceptional people with a unique culture. We started with no funding, without experience in business life, and we hustled a lot until we got it somewhere. We are expanding worldwide, and our technology reaches millions of people.

How much time do you spend working on your business each day?

I used to work 12+ hours until six months ago. I worked on mastering time management a lot. Now, I limit my working hours to six and focus on essential topics and priorities.

What advice would you give beginners who want to start their own Technology Company? How do you advertise your business?

The first thing is thinking big. Though most say the opposite, there is no obstacle to building a massive business. Then, it would help if you learned to manage psychological up and downs and keep going on no matter what. Excellent relations help accelerate your business and build a great team.

So, show everyone you commit more than anyone, and you will carry the burden when needed as a leader.