I build things that make people's lives a little easier -- and I get an unreasonable amount of joy watching that actually happen.https://nagusubra.github.io/en-ushttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/open-source-ai-upper-bound-2026/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/open-source-ai-upper-bound-2026/After chatting with Mark Surman (Mozilla President) at Upper Bound, my perspective on open source AI shifted completely.Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/databricks-ai-agents-hackathon/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/databricks-ai-agents-hackathon/Won 2nd prize at the Databricks AI Agents Hackathon with a lightweight ontology system linking geopolitical events to commodities markets.Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/cursor-hackathon-gesture-game/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/cursor-hackathon-gesture-game/Tied for 1st place at the Cursor Hackathon with hand-gesture controls for a tower defense game built in 1 hour.Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/sustainable-data-center-competition/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/sustainable-data-center-competition/A 36-hour business case competition on sustainable data center strategy for Alberta's 2050 net-zero goals.Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/calgary-youth-innovation-foodsavr/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/calgary-youth-innovation-foodsavr/Sharing my journey with foodsavr at Ascend Calgary's showcase. 11 inspiring Calgary youth voices, free entry, free food.Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/startup-canada-pitch-foodsavr/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/startup-canada-pitch-foodsavr/Pitched foodsavr at the Startup Canada Pitch Competition in Calgary. Didn't make the top 5 but walked away with a brain full of lessons.Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/startup-weekend-findbite/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/startup-weekend-findbite/54 hours of refusing to hear NO. Built FindBite and placed 2nd at Platform Calgary's Startup Weekend.Sun, 11 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/the-deepseek-saga/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/the-deepseek-saga/DeepSeek's breakthrough sent shockwaves through the tech industry. Here's my take on the technological leaps, the trust and security red flags, and what it means for the future of AI.Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/visualizing-transformer-health-with-duvals-triangle-plotter/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/visualizing-transformer-health-with-duvals-triangle-plotter/I built an open-source Python tool for plotting and interpreting Duval's Triangle, the classic DGA method for diagnosing faults in power transformers.Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/benchmarking-the-latest-llm-models-a-new-era-of-efficiency/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/benchmarking-the-latest-llm-models-a-new-era-of-efficiency/DeepSeek V3 and Mistral NeMo trained with a fraction of the GPUs and power of the industry giants. Here's what that means for the future of AI.Sun, 05 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/benchmarking-resource-consumption-to-train-leading-ai-models/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/benchmarking-resource-consumption-to-train-leading-ai-models/Training a leading-edge AI model draws on power, water, carbon, and land. I benchmarked the resource consumption of top LLMs using public data and estimates.Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/problem-validation-guide/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/problem-validation-guide/A step-by-step guide to identifying, researching, and validating a problem before you ever start building a solution.Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/lessons-learned-from-50-days-of-problem-hunting/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/lessons-learned-from-50-days-of-problem-hunting/More than 50 days of exploring and validating problems. Here are my key takeaways from the challenge.Sun, 22 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-5/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-5/Perishable grocery is wasted at home by working individuals due to unawareness or apathy. I explore and validate the problem before deciding to solve it.Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-4/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-4/Banking apps fail to proactively guide users with poor financial literacy toward better spending and credit habits. I explore and validate the problem.Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-3/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-3/Delayed and unreliable power supplies in disaster-affected regions disrupt disaster management and healthcare. I explore and validate the problem.Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-2/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-2/People counting systems in public spaces rely on manual, repetitive tasks that hurt productivity and fatigue workers. I explore and validate the problem.Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-1/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/50-days-of-problem-hunting-problem-1/Competitive OTB chess players lose valuable time adjusting pieces during time scrambles. I explore and validate whether this is a real problem.Sun, 03 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/why-understanding-the-problem-is-the-key-and-einsteins-wisdom/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/why-understanding-the-problem-is-the-key-and-einsteins-wisdom/Einstein said if he had an hour to solve a problem he'd spend 55 minutes thinking about it. Here's how that wisdom reshaped my approach to problem-solving.Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/takeaways-from-my-first-startup-weekend/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/takeaways-from-my-first-startup-weekend/A 56-hour Techstars Startup Weekend with 140+ brilliant minds. Here are the lessons I took away about starting with why, validating early, and pivoting.Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/techstars-startup-weekend-adhd/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/techstars-startup-weekend-adhd/A 56-hour Techstars Startup Weekend where we built an app to support individuals with ADHD in reducing cognitive overload at work.Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/why-you-should-participate-in-a-hackathon/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/why-you-should-participate-in-a-hackathon/Hackathons are a unique and exhilarating experience. Here are the insights and reflections from my journey to convince you to dive into one.Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/llamaindex-data-ai-summit/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/llamaindex-data-ai-summit/Fanboying over Jerry Liu's incredible talk on advanced RAG with LlamaIndex at the Databricks Data + AI Summit in San Francisco.Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/databricks-genai-asset-nav/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/databricks-genai-asset-nav/Built an end-to-end RAG solution for asset document navigation in the Databricks Generative AI World Cup.Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/exploring-smartphone-choices/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/exploring-smartphone-choices/A simple, honest analysis of the Android vs Apple decision -- cost, resale value, upgrade timing, and features -- to reduce decision fatigue before your next upgrade.Sat, 30 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/calgary-hacks-mychef/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/calgary-hacks-mychef/Built a web platform for students to order healthy meals from local cooks. Won Most Innovative Idea out of 500+ participants.Sun, 01 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/ucalgary-design-fair-ev-conversion/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/ucalgary-design-fair-ev-conversion/Placed 2nd with a practical and affordable solution for converting gasoline vehicles to electric at the UCalgary Design Fair.Fri, 15 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://nagusubra.github.io/blog/hack-your-learning-water-yyc/https://nagusubra.github.io/blog/hack-your-learning-water-yyc/Placed 1st at Hack Your Learning Hackathon with a platform connecting Indigenous water operators to subject matter experts.Sat, 27 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMT