David Lam

▶️: Co-founder & CEO at @useabacor - AI Assistant for Accounting Firms | ⏪: @GustoHQ @Amazon @Deloitte @PwC

[David Lam @davlam_]

1/ 🚀 Meet @useabacor: The World’s First AI Assistant for Accountants, by Accountants.

Today, we’re revealing Abacor for the first time.

Since day one, we’ve been obsessed with one goal: to elevate the future of the accounting industry.

For over a decade ago, I worked as an accountant at @Deloitte, @PwC , and @CroweUSA. I’ve lived the long hours, and inefficiencies first hand.

This lived experience became the foundation for Abacor.

[David Lam @davlam_]

It’s the sole reason I moved to the U.S eight years ago to start my company here.

[Matt MacInnis @stanine]

I found the SpaceX IPO surprisingly emotional today. It reminded me of why I came to the US as an 18-year-old. Even then, I knew that I wanted to build stuff, and that the place to do it was America. There was no second option in the world.

The concept of American exceptionalism is nothing new, but I have come to appreciate the culture that justifies it. SpaceX is yet another case in point. America’s risk-taking culture celebrates wild successes while embracing the legitimacy of hard-earned failure. American culture doesn’t celebrate inherited wealth, nor does it frown upon inherited poverty. It doesn’t seek to create equal outcomes, but rather equal opportunity.

It is not immediately obvious that this is unique in the world. Truly unique. I’m Canadian, and I love many aspects of Canadian culture, but Canadian culture does not offer people the same environment in which to take risks.

I write this because I was dismayed to see US politicians complaining of the extreme wealth created by the SpaceX IPO. Say what you will about wealth inequality, or a single man’s politics, but don’t tell me that immense wealth creation in America is bad. Do not tell me you’d rather SpaceX not exist, exactly as it does. That you’d rather this company exist in some other country or culture.

Thankfully, despite today’s politics, SpaceX could not have been a Chinese company, or a Canadian one, or a French one. It could only ever have been an American one.

If nationalism is pride in your birthplace, then it’s merely tribalism, which serves to divide us. But if it’s pride in your culture, a culture that lets people achieve incredible things like this, then under those terms I am a nationalist. I want to protect and enhance our culture of risk-taking, of celebrating wins, and of celebrating failures along the way.

I think it is amazing that America created a trillionaire out of a risk-taking immigrant. It is absolutely fucking absurd, of course, but isn’t that the point? SpaceX is not a reason to be pissed off; it’s a reason for every person in the world who wants to build stuff to see themselves as American, no matter where in the world they live.

p.s. — this is entirely from my brain, with AI used only for fixing typos and grammar. :^)

[David Lam @davlam_]

@claywelch @Taxsavvyjessica Very cool! How are you approaching the firm brain?

[David Lam @davlam_]

@jayyeh Would love to catch up for coffee if you have time!

[David Lam @davlam_]

@davidhoang Excited to catch up if you have time!

[David Lam @davlam_]

What's your favorite cafe to work from in Palo Alto / SF?

[David Lam @davlam_]

@ColinGardiner Love this! When we started @hellotech2table, it was ran by 20 volunteers who was passionate to bring the tech community over monthly dinners.

[David Lam @davlam_]

@calvinluvsrice 👋 Looking forward to it!

[David Lam @davlam_]

@BAbbottCPA @uptonaccounting Great use case! Was the budget in an Excel?

[David Lam @davlam_]

@uptonaccounting Excited to hear more on how you created the guide! Did you use a meeting assistant to record the screen and capture the steps?

[David Lam @davlam_]

Could not be more energized and excited about the future we are building for accountants.

It’s resonating with every accountant we speak to.

[David Lam @davlam_]

What are your favorite spaces and cafes to work from in San Francisco and Palo Alto?

[David Lam @davlam_]

@VivianCaiIAm Down! Definitely interested!

[David Lam @davlam_]

@brycent I’d love to meet when you’re free!

[David Lam @davlam_]

@WannlundKevin @howard_knudsen Great use case!

[David Lam @davlam_]

Excited to call Palo Alto home over the next few months!

Very excited to dive back into the SF / Bay Area startup ecosystem. We'll be hosting fun events for both @useabacor and @hellotech2table.

I would love recommendations on great cafes to work from in SF and Bay Area.

Can't wait to catch up with friends and make new ones too.

[David Lam @davlam_]

@RDriscollCPA @TCRTalks Happy to! I'll send you a message and we can make it happen. Excited for it!

[David Lam @davlam_]

@RDriscollCPA Please let me know how we can support!

[David Lam @davlam_]

@scottastevenson Would love to catch up for coffee since we’re also building in vertical AI!

[David Lam @davlam_]

We’re about to 10x our velocity.

It was an incredible onsite with the @useabacor team in Seattle.

The vision and pathway to get there is clear. We’re excited to serve more accountants and transform firms to be AI-first.

[David Lam @davlam_]

Just keep going and don’t give up.

Forward momentum is super important for startups.