Why I Dropped Out of Northeastern University to Build Valor AI

I never imagined I'd be writing this. Just a year ago, I was enrolled in a Master's program in Artificial Intelligence at Northeastern University, surrounded by bright minds and buried under assignments that demanded everything I had. It was the path I thought I was supposed to take—a prestigious degree, a respected career in tech, maybe a job at a big-name company. It looked like success from the outside. But inside? I felt disconnected.

Not from the subject matter—I love AI. I believe it's the future. But I started to question why I was doing it. Was I chasing a title or chasing impact?

That's when Valor AI came to life.

As a disabled veteran, I've experienced firsthand how difficult it is to navigate the VA system. The claims process is convoluted, the forms are confusing, and the support? It's often spread too thin. I knew I wasn't alone in feeling this way. I had battle buddies, friends, even strangers on Reddit, all echoing the same frustrations.

Valor AI started as an idea: What if we could build an AI that understands the VA system better than anyone? One that helps veterans file disability claims, guides them step-by-step, and fights alongside them like we used to fight for each other?

What began as sketches in a notebook became long nights of coding, networking, and planning. I built a prototype. I talked to other vets. I validated the problem over and over again. It was clear—this needed to exist. And I realized I didn't need another degree to build it. I needed time, focus, and relentless belief in the mission.

So, I left Northeastern.

It wasn't an easy decision. Walking away from a master's program felt like walking away from security. But the truth is, security never mattered to me as much as purpose. I didn't want to spend two more years in classrooms talking about the future. I wanted to build it—now.

Since then, I've poured everything into Valor AI. We're building a system where veterans can upload their DD214, get personalized claim recommendations, chat with AI agents trained on VA policies, and even connect with other vets for support. I'm not doing this alone. I've got a team of believers—veterans, engineers, and advocates—who see the vision too.

Dropping out wasn't the end of my education. It was the beginning of learning what really matters to me: service, innovation, and legacy.

Valor AI isn't just a startup. It's my mission. My new battlefield is bureaucracy, and this time, I'm fighting for us—for every veteran who came home only to be lost in paperwork, denied care, or left in the dark.

This journey has taught me that sometimes, the most educated thing you can do is bet on yourself.

And that's exactly what I did.