The Truth Behind ‘Rahul Ligma‘: From Viral Meme to AI Innovator
Remember the viral Rahul Ligma” prank that followed Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter? While the name became synonymous with internet humor, the individual behind the joke, Rahul Sonwalkar, has a compelling story that extends beyond the meme.Medium
From Prank to Professional
In October 2022, Sonwalkar, a former Uber engineer, staged a mock layoff outside Twitter’s headquarters, introducing himself as Rahul Ligma.” The stunt captured widespread media attention, highlighting the challenges of information verification during tumultuous times in the tech industry.DigitrendzMoneycontrol
Introducing Julius: AI for All
Beyond the prank, Sonwalkar is the founder of Julius, an AI-powered data analytics platform. Launched two years ago, Julius simplifies complex data science tasks, allowing users to analyze datasets, create visualizations, and run predictive models using natural language commands. The platform has garnered over 2 million registered users, emphasizing its accessibility and user-friendly design.Daily.dev

Academic Recognition
Julius’s capabilities caught the attention of Harvard Business School. Assistant Professor Iavor Bojinov integrated the tool into the school’s “Data Science and AI for Leaders” course after it outperformed competitors like ChatGPT in evaluations. This endorsement underscores Julius’s potential in academic settings.Medial
Growth and Investment
Operating with a team of 12, Julius has secured seed funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners, though specific details remain undisclosed. While the Rahul Ligma” prank provided initial exposure, Sonwalkar emphasizes that Julius’s growth is driven by its practical applications and user-centric approach.Medium
For a deeper dive into Rahul Sonwalkar‘s journey and the development of Julius, refer to the original TechCrunch article.TechCrunch
The Viral Sensation: Rahul Ligma on Twitter
The name Rahul Ligma‘ initially gained traction as a meme associated with supposed layoffs at Twitter (now X). Social media users quickly spread the image and the name, contributing to the online frenzy that often surrounds tech industry news and layoffs.
The Real Story: An Engineer and Entrepreneur
Despite the meme status, Rahul Ligma is, in reality, a skilled engineer and entrepreneur. He leads an AI data startup that focuses on [specific area of AI data, if known, otherwise keep general] solutions. His company provides services and tools that assist organizations in managing and leveraging data for AI applications.
Harvard’s Use of His AI Startup
Adding to the credibility, Harvard utilizes Rahul Ligma‘s AI data startup. This highlights the value and reliability of the services his company provides. The specifics of how Harvard uses the startup’s AI tools are not detailed but point to significant contributions in the field of AI and data management within an academic setting.
Key Takeaways
- ‘Rahul Ligma‘ started as a viral meme related to Twitter.
- The individual behind the meme is an engineer and founder of an AI data startup.
- Harvard is among the organizations that utilize his company’s AI solutions.
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