Meet Nilay Altun

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nilay Altun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nilay, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
I learned that people are the essence of any business.

Throughout my journey—spanning over three startups, my own entrepreneurial venture, and experience in mid-to-large scale companies—I’ve realized that a company’s true strength lies in its people. Without them, even the most well-structured organization is merely an empty shell. Each individual, no matter how seemingly replaceable, brings unique talents, perspectives, creativity, and motivation that collectively drive the success of the business.

I’ve encountered numerous instances where projects faced unforeseen challenges that no one on the team initially knew how to overcome. Yet, through finding the right people and fostering collaboration, I’ve never witnessed a problem that couldn’t be solved. Building relationships with colleagues and friends is essential for personal and professional growth. Establishing connections and trust with those around you not only makes it easier to share and seek advice but also fulfills a fundamental human need for social interaction, contributing to a happier and more fulfilling life.

Valuing people by respecting their individuality and uniqueness allows them to contribute more fully, laying the foundation for strong relationships with trust at their core. These relationships will support you, even if you’ve faced setbacks like failed startups, as you venture forward to create something new.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
That’s a big question—haha!

I see myself as a rational thinker with a deep admiration for the creative process and the arts. My career path has been anything but linear, which I attribute to a decision-making process driven by deep curiosity and a passion for continuous learning. I began my career as an engineer in startups in NYC, drawn by the innovation and value that small teams can generate. Being in a startup environment offered me countless opportunities to wear many hats—full-stack engineer, product manager, tech lead, and tech manager. Alongside my professional journey, I’ve also earned four degrees (two bachelor’s and two master’s), including a master’s from Cornell Tech, which prepared me for innovation within major tech companies and entrepreneurship within startup ventures.

My curiosity eventually led me to join Riot Games, where I had the privilege of working on the League of Legends team. This experience allowed me to collaborate with incredibly talented people and build exciting games, while also gaining insights into how larger organizations operate after working in smaller companies. I’ve worked on various projects and teams, and I’m currently contributing to Valorant. Every day presents a new opportunity to learn something new.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy! I always say that the things that seem easiest are often the hardest to master. Challenges are what make life interesting—I believe that without them, life would be quite boring. Trusting the people I work with and maintaining optimism about the outcome has been key to overcoming any challenges. My advice? Follow your natural curiosities—they will lead you to like-minded people and places where you can continue to learn and grow.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles has so much to offer! When friends visit, I like to take them to my favorite local spots, letting them explore the more touristy areas on their own, since there’s no shortage of guides and recommendations for those. As a big foodie, my friends know that trying great food will definitely be a highlight!

I’d start the day at the Mar Vista Farmers Market or Gjusta, where we can enjoy freshly baked pastries and coffee. From there, we’d stroll down Abbot Kinney for some boutique shopping, followed by lunch at Win-Dow Burgers—unless they’re really insistent on trying In-N-Out, which is always fun too! Then, we’d explore the Venice Canals and Venice Skatepark, taking a long walk or bike ride along the beach to soak in the beautiful weather, with a stop at Shutters on the Beach for some refreshments. We’d end the day watching the sunset at Palisades Park, followed by dinner at Fia, one of my favorite restaurants. For dessert, we’d savor the incredible flavors at Wanderlust Creamery in Venice.

Beyond the typical spots, LA’s unique architecture is something I love to share. I’d book visits to iconic landmarks like the Stahl House, the Schindler House, and the Hollyhock House by Frank Lloyd Wright, who is one of my favorite architects. If we’re lucky, we might even hit up an estate sale in Bel Air, Brentwood, or Malibu for some thrifting—finding treasures like vintage clothes, accessories, and furniture is always a thrill.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! There are countless individuals who inspire me daily. I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to everyone who stood by me during the challenging and often stressful journey of securing my permanent residency in the US. This process was an adventure that spanned over 10 years, filled with uncertainty, perseverance, and patience.

I am deeply grateful to my employers, who believed in me and sponsored my visa; my family and friends, who endured my frustrations and uncertainties throughout the long application process; and my school advisors, immigration lawyers, colleagues, managers, instructors, and professors who provided reference letters and unwavering support.

I am especially thankful to my parents, who visited me in the US when I couldn’t travel outside the country. Their presence and encouragement meant the world to me. I feel truly fortunate to be surrounded by such a supportive network of people who played a crucial role in my journey.

Website: https://t.ly/KOOXh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nilay.altun/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilayaltun/