In this episode of Sloanies Talking with Sloanies, host Christopher Reichert, MOT ’04, speaks with Adela Jamal, SFMBA ’22, and Sebastian Barriga, SFMBA ’22, co-founders of MileMark Capital, about their journey from diverse global careers to launching an applied AI-focused venture fund. They reflect on how their time at MIT Sloan—particularly during the transitional post-pandemic period—brought them together through shared values, complementary backgrounds, and a mutual commitment to meaningful innovation. Their story highlights the importance of authenticity, long-term relationship-building, and the often-overlooked reality that reputations are built long before founders formally step into the spotlight.

The conversation also explores MileMark’s investment philosophy, centered on “applied AI”—specialized, domain-driven applications of artificial intelligence that deliver tangible business value. Rather than chasing broad, capital-intensive models, the firm focuses on founders with deep expertise and strong networks, emphasizing people as the key driver of success. Looking ahead, Jamal and Barriga express optimism about AI’s global impact, predicting increased accessibility, productivity, and innovation across industries. Ultimately, they underscore that while technology evolves rapidly, trust, human judgment, and purpose-driven leadership remain at the core of building enduring ventures.

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