Kishau
@kishau.com
I wrangle complexity. Engineer turned 4x Founder | Advisor | Investor | CEO | Featured: @Forbes @WSJ | Systems Thinker. Computer Scientist. | kishau.com
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Kishau
@kishau.com
· Nov 13
✋🏽I’m Kishau (Kih-shaw), 4x entrepreneur, CEO, impact-driven investor, strategic advisor, mom. I apply systems thinking & computer science to drive human-centered innovation & redefine who shapes the future. Current focus: SaaS AI/ML, augmented intelligence, & art-tech intersections
More: kishau.com
More: kishau.com
Here's a playlist to set the mood for Tuesday's Rapture. You're welcome.
Feat. Anita Baker, Usher, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar, Lenny Kravitz, Jeffrey Osborne, Simple Minds, Thelma Houston, Blondie, Kirk Franklin ...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5YG...
Feat. Anita Baker, Usher, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar, Lenny Kravitz, Jeffrey Osborne, Simple Minds, Thelma Houston, Blondie, Kirk Franklin ...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5YG...
Rapture 2025
open.spotify.com
September 21, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Here's a playlist to set the mood for Tuesday's Rapture. You're welcome.
Feat. Anita Baker, Usher, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar, Lenny Kravitz, Jeffrey Osborne, Simple Minds, Thelma Houston, Blondie, Kirk Franklin ...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5YG...
Feat. Anita Baker, Usher, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar, Lenny Kravitz, Jeffrey Osborne, Simple Minds, Thelma Houston, Blondie, Kirk Franklin ...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5YG...
Done. Canceled Hulu & Disney+. Will reroute funds to PBS.
September 19, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Done. Canceled Hulu & Disney+. Will reroute funds to PBS.
One button. “No notifications. Ever.” That’s all I want.
September 13, 2025 at 4:44 AM
One button. “No notifications. Ever.” That’s all I want.
Q: How does a quilting class relate to building a business?
Q: How does a quilting class relate to building a business?
In this “From the Inbox” edition, I respond to a reader’s question about how quilting connects to entrepreneurship. I have many reflections, but will share two insights here.
kishau.com
August 29, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Q: How does a quilting class relate to building a business?
New Rules: 2025 Fundraising Insights from Founders & Investors
New Rules: 2025 Fundraising Insights from Founders & Investors
Kishau Rogers shares 2025 fundraising insights from founders and investors. Founders face tighter capital and higher expectations, while investors navigate new pressures. Along with these insights, I highlight tools to endure this moment, including reframing fundraising as one growth tool rather than the only one.
kishau.com
August 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
New Rules: 2025 Fundraising Insights from Founders & Investors
This weekend’s project is to upgrade a pair of Late 2013 iMacs using OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP). If you’ve done it before, share tips so I’m not fighting for my life all weekend 😂
1. Yes, I have a plan (Media Center).
2. Yes, I’ve upgraded RAM
1. Yes, I have a plan (Media Center).
2. Yes, I’ve upgraded RAM
August 23, 2025 at 10:45 PM
This weekend’s project is to upgrade a pair of Late 2013 iMacs using OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP). If you’ve done it before, share tips so I’m not fighting for my life all weekend 😂
1. Yes, I have a plan (Media Center).
2. Yes, I’ve upgraded RAM
1. Yes, I have a plan (Media Center).
2. Yes, I’ve upgraded RAM
“What If?” is my blog series on speculative scenarios that spark curiosity + big-picture thinking. First up: skip-reading, a surrealist method that disrupts linear thought and opens new ways of seeing problems, decisions, and reality.
What If You Could Change Reality?
A simple shift in viewpoint can change how we see a problem, how we make decisions, and ultimately, how we define what is real and when it becomes real. This post is inspired by skip-reading, a surrealist technique embraced by artist Frederick Sommer. By intuitively selecting words, this method disrupts linear thinking, removes preconceived ideas, and sparks creativity by allowing new connections to emerge naturally.
kishau.com
August 23, 2025 at 1:21 AM
“What If?” is my blog series on speculative scenarios that spark curiosity + big-picture thinking. First up: skip-reading, a surrealist method that disrupts linear thought and opens new ways of seeing problems, decisions, and reality.
Issue 02 | Quilting, AI and Choosing the Right Tools
Issue 02 | Quilting, AI and Choosing the Right Tools
In this issue, I share new stories from my creative sabbatical, lessons on choosing the right tools, how to decouple "innovation" from "tools", and practical tips on prototyping and MVPs.
kishau.com
August 22, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Issue 02 | Quilting, AI and Choosing the Right Tools
Creative Practice: Quilting, AI and the Art of Picking the Right Tool
Creative Practice: Quilting, AI and the Art of Picking the Right Tool
A few days before quilting class, the instructor casually reminded us to “bring your sewing machine.” Bless her heart for assuming I owned one. I borrowed my mother-in-law’s, got a crash course, and walked in with a big plan… that unraveled within minutes. What I learned applies as much to AI as it does to sewing.
kishau.com
August 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Creative Practice: Quilting, AI and the Art of Picking the Right Tool
Creative sabbatical update: I took a quilting class. Before class, the instructor emailed a supply list that ended with, “Bring your sewing machine.” Bless her heart for assuming 😂
More on my quilting adventures, + insights on AI as a tool & prototyping in my latest newsletter
kishau.com/issue-02/
More on my quilting adventures, + insights on AI as a tool & prototyping in my latest newsletter
kishau.com/issue-02/
Issue 02 | Quilting, AI and Choosing the Right Tools - Kishau Rogers
In this issue, I share new stories from my creative sabbatical, lessons on choosing the right tools, how to decouple "innovation" from "tools", and practical tips on prototyping and MVPs.
kishau.com
August 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Creative sabbatical update: I took a quilting class. Before class, the instructor emailed a supply list that ended with, “Bring your sewing machine.” Bless her heart for assuming 😂
More on my quilting adventures, + insights on AI as a tool & prototyping in my latest newsletter
kishau.com/issue-02/
More on my quilting adventures, + insights on AI as a tool & prototyping in my latest newsletter
kishau.com/issue-02/
This summer, I started a creative sabbatical to recharge and rebuild my creative muscle. I’m sharing my adventures on my blog, with insights for tech & entrepreneurship. First adventure: collaging. Here are my notes from preparing for class. Apply wherever useful + subscribe to follow the series.
Creative Practice: Be Prepared, Not Predictable
Preparation is essential, but rigidity can block innovation. This post explores how structure, curiosity, and improvisation interact, and why presence matters when the best laid plans no longer apply.
kishau.com
August 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This summer, I started a creative sabbatical to recharge and rebuild my creative muscle. I’m sharing my adventures on my blog, with insights for tech & entrepreneurship. First adventure: collaging. Here are my notes from preparing for class. Apply wherever useful + subscribe to follow the series.
I've relaunched my newsletter.
After over 20 years as a full-time entrepreneur, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about building with what you have, where you are.
Issue 01 is about challenging your mindset & trusting your instincts when the usual formulas don’t work.
📖 Read: kishau.com/issue-01/
After over 20 years as a full-time entrepreneur, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about building with what you have, where you are.
Issue 01 is about challenging your mindset & trusting your instincts when the usual formulas don’t work.
📖 Read: kishau.com/issue-01/
Issue 01 | Start Where You Are - Kishau Rogers
Rule #1: There’s no single way to succeed. This issue highlights creative strategies for shifting your mindset, so you can keep building even when the rules no longer apply. You’ll find stories on imp...
kishau.com
August 7, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I've relaunched my newsletter.
After over 20 years as a full-time entrepreneur, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about building with what you have, where you are.
Issue 01 is about challenging your mindset & trusting your instincts when the usual formulas don’t work.
📖 Read: kishau.com/issue-01/
After over 20 years as a full-time entrepreneur, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about building with what you have, where you are.
Issue 01 is about challenging your mindset & trusting your instincts when the usual formulas don’t work.
📖 Read: kishau.com/issue-01/
The Secret to Being More Innovative (or" will AI fix it?): A Thread.
You don’t need another blueprint, tool, or expert.
You need more practice using what’s already in your toolbox.
You don’t need another blueprint, tool, or expert.
You need more practice using what’s already in your toolbox.
July 31, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The Secret to Being More Innovative (or" will AI fix it?): A Thread.
You don’t need another blueprint, tool, or expert.
You need more practice using what’s already in your toolbox.
You don’t need another blueprint, tool, or expert.
You need more practice using what’s already in your toolbox.
You would think they’d issue Real IDs automatically at renewal or for all new licenses, but that would’ve made too much sense.
Tried to get a Real ID several times over the years & kept hitting roadblocks. When I renewed last year, I didn’t get one because the only person who handled it was OOO 🤷🏽♀️
Tried to get a Real ID several times over the years & kept hitting roadblocks. When I renewed last year, I didn’t get one because the only person who handled it was OOO 🤷🏽♀️
May 9, 2025 at 3:26 PM
You would think they’d issue Real IDs automatically at renewal or for all new licenses, but that would’ve made too much sense.
Tried to get a Real ID several times over the years & kept hitting roadblocks. When I renewed last year, I didn’t get one because the only person who handled it was OOO 🤷🏽♀️
Tried to get a Real ID several times over the years & kept hitting roadblocks. When I renewed last year, I didn’t get one because the only person who handled it was OOO 🤷🏽♀️
100 unarmed men won’t stay focused long enough to beat a gorilla. Things will probably fall apart once they witness the first few get effortlessly ripped to shreds. That’s assuming they can even agree on who’s going first. They’d probably turn on each other before they ever touch the gorilla
May 2, 2025 at 11:23 PM
100 unarmed men won’t stay focused long enough to beat a gorilla. Things will probably fall apart once they witness the first few get effortlessly ripped to shreds. That’s assuming they can even agree on who’s going first. They’d probably turn on each other before they ever touch the gorilla
I’ve served as President of the VCU Computer Science Industry Advisory Board for many years. As a proud CS alum, I always enjoy previewing the senior capstone projects. These students continue to raise the bar every year!
Congrats to the Class of 2025! 🎓 #RamPride
Congrats to the Class of 2025! 🎓 #RamPride
May 2, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I’ve served as President of the VCU Computer Science Industry Advisory Board for many years. As a proud CS alum, I always enjoy previewing the senior capstone projects. These students continue to raise the bar every year!
Congrats to the Class of 2025! 🎓 #RamPride
Congrats to the Class of 2025! 🎓 #RamPride
Built a workflow that transcribes voice notes automatically: record on phone → auto-sync → auto-transcribed locally with Python + Whisper → file saved + renamed. No cloud AI. Useful for capturing reflections, strategy, team updates, & other content while on the go.
April 21, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Built a workflow that transcribes voice notes automatically: record on phone → auto-sync → auto-transcribed locally with Python + Whisper → file saved + renamed. No cloud AI. Useful for capturing reflections, strategy, team updates, & other content while on the go.
I had a TIME last week. Shared my work and reconnected with brilliant minds from NY to FL. Grateful to speak at Hearst (Time Study is in their portfolio) and at UF’s CAME (I’m affiliate faculty). Big 🙏🏽 to HearstLab for putting our faces on the building at 57th & 8th. My kids are impressed. More soon
April 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I had a TIME last week. Shared my work and reconnected with brilliant minds from NY to FL. Grateful to speak at Hearst (Time Study is in their portfolio) and at UF’s CAME (I’m affiliate faculty). Big 🙏🏽 to HearstLab for putting our faces on the building at 57th & 8th. My kids are impressed. More soon
Finally watched the White Lotus finale. Great season. The slow buildup felt right for character development. Each character was both good and terrible in their own human way. No spoilers, but the ending was chaotic, answered some questions, left others, & kept just enough suspense for another season
April 8, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Finally watched the White Lotus finale. Great season. The slow buildup felt right for character development. Each character was both good and terrible in their own human way. No spoilers, but the ending was chaotic, answered some questions, left others, & kept just enough suspense for another season
I’ve started a blog series called “What If.” The latest post was inspired by skipreading, a surrealist technique that pulls meaning from words or images, used to break linear thinking.
I applied it using 5 random photos. The word that surfaced: perspective. Read more 👉🏽 kishau.com/what-if-you-...
I applied it using 5 random photos. The word that surfaced: perspective. Read more 👉🏽 kishau.com/what-if-you-...
What If You Could Change Reality? - Kishau Rogers
What if shifting your perspective could spark creativity? This creative exercise uses skip-reading and fresh viewpoints to unlock innovative ideas.
kishau.com
March 31, 2025 at 10:12 PM
I’ve started a blog series called “What If.” The latest post was inspired by skipreading, a surrealist technique that pulls meaning from words or images, used to break linear thinking.
I applied it using 5 random photos. The word that surfaced: perspective. Read more 👉🏽 kishau.com/what-if-you-...
I applied it using 5 random photos. The word that surfaced: perspective. Read more 👉🏽 kishau.com/what-if-you-...
I’m juggling multiple week-to-week shows like it’s the 1900s. I guess the streaming companies finally figured out that binge-watching isn’t great for business.
What are you watching right now?
What are you watching right now?
March 26, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I’m juggling multiple week-to-week shows like it’s the 1900s. I guess the streaming companies finally figured out that binge-watching isn’t great for business.
What are you watching right now?
What are you watching right now?
I write a series on my site called From the Inbox, where I tackle real questions from founders and peers.
The latest:
"How do I avoid common mistakes when hiring MVP devs?"
Here are 5 to avoid 🧵
The latest:
"How do I avoid common mistakes when hiring MVP devs?"
Here are 5 to avoid 🧵
March 21, 2025 at 11:54 PM
I write a series on my site called From the Inbox, where I tackle real questions from founders and peers.
The latest:
"How do I avoid common mistakes when hiring MVP devs?"
Here are 5 to avoid 🧵
The latest:
"How do I avoid common mistakes when hiring MVP devs?"
Here are 5 to avoid 🧵
✋🏽 I’m Kishau (Kih-shaw), engineer-turned-4x entrepreneur, CEO, advisor & investor. Since 2003, I’ve bootstrapped, raised $10M+ in VC, built & scaled businesses, & deployed tech across industries.
Just relaunched my site to share that 20+ year journey. Check it out + share! ✨
🔗 kishau.com
Just relaunched my site to share that 20+ year journey. Check it out + share! ✨
🔗 kishau.com
March 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
✋🏽 I’m Kishau (Kih-shaw), engineer-turned-4x entrepreneur, CEO, advisor & investor. Since 2003, I’ve bootstrapped, raised $10M+ in VC, built & scaled businesses, & deployed tech across industries.
Just relaunched my site to share that 20+ year journey. Check it out + share! ✨
🔗 kishau.com
Just relaunched my site to share that 20+ year journey. Check it out + share! ✨
🔗 kishau.com
If these newfangled gold cards are $5M, then what’s the going rate for an authentic “vintage” American citizenship? It’s pre-loved and has original paperwork. Bidding will start at $10M …
a baby is sitting in the back seat of a car holding a bunch of money and the word max bidding is above him
Alt: a baby is sitting in the back seat of a car holding a bunch of money and the word max bidding is above him
media.tenor.com
February 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
If these newfangled gold cards are $5M, then what’s the going rate for an authentic “vintage” American citizenship? It’s pre-loved and has original paperwork. Bidding will start at $10M …
Wondering how many business days it’ll take for folks to realize that this had little to do with Drake. #SuperBowlLVIX 🇺🇸
February 10, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Wondering how many business days it’ll take for folks to realize that this had little to do with Drake. #SuperBowlLVIX 🇺🇸