Founder Friday with Sahil: From Banking to Building DeepReel

For many first-time founders in London, the journey from a secure career to the uncertainty of a startup can feel like stepping off a cliff. Sahil, founder of DeepReel, didn’t just take that leap—he built a bridge along the way.

DeepReel is the world’s first video agent capable of creating polished, fully edited videos from a simple idea, blog post, or document. Think scriptwriting, visuals, editing, music, captions—done automatically in minutes. While early versions focused on AI avatars, today the platform is a full-scale storytelling engine, designed for content creators, brands, and founders who need fast, engaging video without a production team.

From London Demo Night to 300,000 Sign-ups

Sahil wowed the Canopy audience at London Tech Week Demo Night with a live showcase of DeepReel’s storytelling power. The audience’s spontaneous suggestion—an “AI-powered squid invasion of London”—became a slick, fully produced video within minutes. That demo wasn’t just entertainment; it was a glimpse into the platform’s potential for founders looking to amplify their message.

Since launch, DeepReel has attracted over 300,000 sign-ups and 15–20k monthly active users. While most users still explore the free tier, Sahil’s focus now is converting them into paying customers—no small challenge in a crowded B2C space.

Acquisition is a multi-channel game. DeepReel integrates with Canva and Adobe’s creative suite, and Sahil runs a network of automated TikTok and Instagram channels to drive awareness. The goal is simple: meet users where they are, in the formats they love.

The Shift from Banking to AI Startup Founder

Before building DeepReel, Sahil spent 12 years in investment banking. In 2014–15, drawn to the possibilities of AI, he started plotting his exit. Inspired by Jeff Bezos’ regret minimisation framework, he left his high-paying role, earned a second master’s degree in data science and machine learning, and met his co-founder at City University.

The transition wasn’t without risk—this was before GPT-3 or the AI video boom—but the challenge of solving hard problems in computer vision and consumer tech was too enticing to ignore.

Making Luck by Going All In

When Elon Musk and Rishi Sunak joked at an AI Summit that deep fakes were so real they should be called “deep real,” Sahil couldn’t have scripted a better brand endorsement. But he’s quick to downplay luck:

“You have to make your luck. Work hard, be persistent, and opportunities will come.”

That work ethic is matched by emotional intelligence—something his mother might call his superpower. For Sahil, empathy is essential for understanding user problems and reframing products as solutions.

Why Founders Should Live and Work with Their Teams

Sahil is a firm believer in the Silicon Valley-inspired “hacker house” model: bringing the entire team into one space to live and work together, at least in the early days. Last month, he did just that—meals, workspace, and collaboration all under one roof.

“At an early stage, you need to be all in. Live with your founding team. It speeds up decision-making, builds trust, and aligns everyone on the mission.”

Post-COVID, he sees a growing shift back to in-person work among London startups. While remote tools have their place, Sahil believes face-to-face collaboration generates the “water fountain moments” that fuel early-stage innovation.

Advice for First-Time Founders in London

For anyone building their first startup in the city, Sahil’s advice is blunt but powerful:

• Commit fully – You can’t be “part-pregnant” with a startup.

• Focus on the user’s problem – Don’t talk about features; talk about the pain you’re solving.

• Be present – Build in-person relationships with your team, customers, and community.

London’s startup scene rewards founders who immerse themselves in the ecosystem. Sahil’s own journey—combining relentless work ethic, deep technical expertise, and a willingness to live the founder life at full intensity—shows what’s possible when you go all in.

For first-time founders, especially in London’s competitive environment, DeepReel’s story is a reminder: innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s about commitment, clarity of vision, and building with people you trust.

Watch the full interview with Sahil - https://www.youtube.com/@canopycommunity617 

Listen to the podcast of this interview - https://founderfriday.buzzsprout.com/