First Principles Approach
A First Principles Approach to AI means: breaking problems down to their core, questioning assumptions, and solving from the ground up. It’s how we build systems that are production-ready, i.e., more reliable, secure, stable, and better aligned with client objectives.
Sean Douglas
Founder & CEO
Silicon Valley data scientist with 11+ years of experience. Former Head of Data Science at Vetted (acquired by Yahoo). Expert in mathematical applications of LLMs to complex data.
David Beaver
Co-Founder & CGO
24+ years in financial technology and alternatives. Former SVP at iCapital with broad experience in alternatives, private wealth, and fintech.
Thomas Raleigh
CTO
Former co-founder of Vetted (acquired by Yahoo). Full-stack engineer and systems architect with 12+ years of experience building scalable, production-grade platforms.
Daisy Chen
AI Research / Financial Analyst
PhD candidate at Kyoto University researching LLMs applied to Japanese. Connects Pure Math with leading AI researchers in Japan, China, and the US.
Amit Baria
Head of Strategic Business Development, Americas
20+ years across private markets and technology. Former VP of Business Development at Flow (acquired by Apex Group). Expert in bridging AI, wealth management, and alternative investment fund infrastructure—systems.
Hikari Yamazaki
Exec. Asst. / AI Engineer
Software engineer in Tokyo. Specializes in LLM-powered tools for business productivity, especially in Japanese-language environments.
Joe Kodama
Medical Business Development
PhD in Medicine, Osaka University. Brings deep relationships across academic medicine in Japan and the US.
Jenn Park
Software Engineer
Versatile developer from data science to mobile and front-end. Built LLM apps at Vetted with Sean and Tom.
Caroline Schnetzler
Product Designer / Product Manager
6+ years in visual design with a cross-disciplinary background. Shaping AI-native products by defining vision and designing intuitive experiences.
Narumi Sakamoto
Office Manager
Multilingual business operator with 5+ years in corporate Japan. Skilled at using LLMs in multilingual and cross-cultural workflows.
Derek Shanahan
Advisor
Silicon Valley founder, investor and go-to-market specialist with 20+ years experience across finance, payments, ecommerce and healthcare AI software. Stanford alum, former wealth manager.
Building the right team.
While it might feel good to pat ourselves on the back for our ability to recruit, the truth is we couldn’t be more grateful that our insanely talented partners wanted to join us. They have the same vision of the future, the same drive, and same desire to work with other like-minded professionals and firms.
Today, Pure Math AI represents a specialized, global team combining proven technical ability with deep experience and networks in key industries (Finance, Healthcare, Real Estate, Construction) and regions (U.S., Japan, China).
Thomas Raleigh joined us early as CTO—as the original Engineering Co-Founder of Vetted, he and Sean partnered to lead that company’s AI pivot which led to Vetted being acquired by Yahoo in November 2025—they've done this before and can get you there.
Daisy Chen, is a PhD-candidate at Kyoto University advancing LLM applications with a specific focus on Japanese. She has a broad network of AI researchers and industry leaders in the U.S., Japan, and China.
Joe Kodama, is a medical doctor with a PhD from Osaka University with deep ties to Japanese and U.S. medical academia. He brings unique depth from a highly-specialized industry.
Most recently, Amit Baria joined to head business development in the Americas. He adds industry depth across wealth management and alternative investments, an entrepreneurial, client-first mindset, and a broad network across alternative investments and fintech.
We are also fortunate to have a team of senior developers who have already lived through AI transformation in data-heavy production environments with Sean & Tom. As well as business operators skilled in using LLMs in multi-lingual, cross-cultural workflows. We operate globally with team members in the U.S. and Japan, and we approach every partnership with a focus on building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
This isn’t a typical group of consultants. We’re researchers, builders, and senior industry operators focused on applying AI where we know it can have a meaningful impact for our clients.
Our Story
The financial industry spent decades “going digital.” Generative AI changed what that means overnight.
For most companies, AI didn’t just create new opportunities—it cracked the foundation their businesses are built on. The moment large language models (LLMs) went mainstream (November 2022), almost everything became legacy tech.
By the time Sean and David met (January 2023), they both knew this—just from different angles.
Sean had spent ten years in Silicon Valley startups and had just lived through the shift to AI. As Head of Data Science at Vetted (acquired by Yahoo), he and the CTO rebuilt the company’s infrastructure from the ground up to make real use of AI. While most firms were still trying to understand what LLMs were, Sean was already deploying them in production on a massive dataset.
David brought the Wall Street lens. He's spent over two decades in alternative investments. First at Glenwood Capital and Man Investments—pioneers and global leaders in alternative investments—and then at leading fintech startups like iCapital. With all the industry's talk about technology and transformation, he knows just how little has actually changed over the years.
Their initial idea was simple: David knows the alternative investment industry inside and out. Sean knows how to build AI systems that actually work.
Let's start there!
Building the future, together.
Our name and logo are more than a label and symbol—they are our guiding principle. 純正 (junsei), means pure, genuine, authentic.
It’s a reminder that precision, integrity, and truth must underpin every decision, every solution, and every relationship. We blend the discipline of mathematics with the transformative potential of AI to create solutions that are as genuine as they are powerful—enabling people and technology to work together to solve complex problems and unlock new opportunities.
Integrity & Reliability:
We are committed to honesty, consistency, and ethical conduct in all we do. Our word is our bond—for clients, partners, and each other.
Structured Thinking:
We balance disciplined, methodical problem-solving with the flexibility to adapt to changing realities — for better decisions and stronger outcomes.
Openness & Inclusion:
We embrace diversity in thought, background, and experience, fostering a culture where every voice is valued and everyone can contribute authentically.
Clear Communication:
We value transparency and candor, making complex ideas understandable and ensuring everyone is aligned — whether collaborating with a client or a teammate.
Action Oriented:
We turn ideas into results, combining creativity with a proactive mindset to deliver meaningful progress for clients and for our own growth as a team.
Enduring Relationships:
We invest in long-term partnerships built on respect, trust, and shared growth — with our clients, our collaborators, and our colleagues.