Developer Advocate & Founder @ ML Data | Data Science & AI Content Creator

I didn't write my first line of code until I was 26. Now I get sponsored by companies like Anthropic, Amazon and IBM to create coding videos as a tech content creator.

My career path has been anything but linear - finance analyst to consultant to data scientist to full-time content creator. At each stop, I felt like I was starting over, but those diverse experiences became my superpower. My finance background taught me business fundamentals, consulting showed me how to solve complex problems, and data science gave me technical skills. 

When I combined all three and took the leap into content creation and developer advocacy, companies started paying attention.

Now I help others navigate their own career transitions by sharing what I've learned across industries and roles.

When I'm not creating content, you'll find me exploring running, playing pickleball or cuddling with my fur babies, Belle and Lola.

I'm always excited to connect with fellow career changers or anyone building something interesting. Feel free to reach out at megan@thedriveagency.co or send me a message here on LinkedIn 👋

Megan Lieu

90% of people are either wasting money on AI tools…

Or missing out on powerful tools that are literally FREE.

Including me — until I finally understood the real difference between Free vs Paid AI Tools.

Here’s what nobody tells you about AI tools:

Paid doesn’t mean better.
It just means better for a specific workflow.

So I’m finally sharing my full Free vs Paid AI Tools Framework (by category) 👇

✅ Writing & Content
↳ Paid: Jasper AI, Writesonic, Copy. ai, Frase, LongShot AI
↳ Free: ChatGPT, Google Gemini, QuillBot, Grammarly, Wordtune

✅ Image & Design
↳ Paid: Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Leonardo AI, Seedream 4.0, Runway Images
↳ Free: Bing Image Creator, Canva, Stable Diffusion, DALL·E, Nano Banana

✅ Video & Multimedia
↳ Paid: Synthesia, Pika Labs, Runway Video, Descript, Veo 3 Fast
↳ Free: CapCut AI, InVideo, Runway, Synthesia, Pexels AI Video

✅ Coding & Dev
↳ Paid: GitHub Copilot, Cursor AI, Tabnine, Replit Ghostwriter, Codeium Pro
↳ Free: GitHub Copilot, Gemini Code Assist, Codeium, AWS CodeWhisperer, OpenAI Playground

✅ Productivity & Research
↳ Paid: Notion AI, Perplexity Pro, Coda AI, Otter. ai, Evernote AI
↳ Free: Perplexity, Notion, Microsoft Copilot, Obsidian AI Plugins, Google Gemini

✅ SEO & Marketing
↳ Paid: Surfer SEO, Clearscope, MarketMuse, SEMrush AI, Ahrefs AI
↳ Free: Ubersuggest, Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, SEO Minion, Mangools Tools

✅ Audio & Speech
↳ Paid: ElevenLabs, Murf AI, Play. ht, Resemble AI, Descript Audio
↳ Free: Google Text-to-Speech, Mozilla TTS, Audacity AI Plugins, Talkie AI

✅ New & Trending AI Tools
↳ Paid: Claude Pro, Gemini Advanced, Lovable AI, Flux Pro, Runway Advanced
↳ Free: Nano Banana, Lovable. ai , Flux, Captions. ai, Playground AI

I went from randomly subscribing to AI tools…

To building a stack that actually matches my work.

And that’s the truth about AI tools…

Free tools help you start.
Paid tools help you scale.

♻️ Reshare this if it helped and follow me for more AI tools + workflow breakdowns.

a16z just dropped their list of unicorn startup ideas for 2026. 

The Silicon Valley VC firm just released a list of the biggest ideas their investing teams believe builders need to tackle this year.

So make sure you save this if you’ve been looking for the next unicorn startup idea:
 
 1. AI-native banking & insurance infrastructure
 2. Enterprise multi-agent orchestration platforms
 3. Physical observability platform
 4. Compliance-first AI development tools
 5. ChatGPT-native apps (via OpenAI apps SDK)
 6. Autonomous scientific discovery labs
 7. Multi-modal voice agent platforms
 8. Prompt-free, proactive AI applications
 9. AI-native industrial base companies
10. Reasoning/multimodal/computer-use-enabled companies
11. Industrial data collection & annotation platform
12. Forward-deployed AI consulting
13. AI startup tooling for greenfield companies
14. Voice-first AI operating system
15. AI-powered contingency business models
16. "See Me" consumer AI products
17. Synthetic biology design studio
18. AI-native insurance products
19. AI-powered sales qualification platform
20. Electro-industrial stack components

Which of these ideas are you betting on?
 
Check out the full article from a16z linked in my comments below 👇

Tech Startups by A16z

International Paralympic Committee

I am responsible for leading and developing our classification research initiatives. A core part of my role is to manage our classification research grant program, working in close collaboration with internal departments, external researchers, and key stakeholders.

I support our members directly in implementing the IPC Classification Code, guiding them through research to develop their classification systems. I also focus on cultivating and strengthening our classification research network, actively managing relationships and ensuring the wide dissemination of crucial knowledge within the field.

Furthermore, I contribute to broader, multi-disciplinary initiatives that aim to enhance classification across the movement. This includes areas such as innovation, equipment and technology, medical advancements, and sport science. Finally, I support and manage other departmental activities, contributing to the overall success and operational efficiency of our team.

Classification Research Project Senior Manager

Technical University of Munich

The Technical University of Munich (TUM)  consistently ranks among the top universities in Europe and the world, boasting a vibrant atmosphere that fosters excellence across various fields.

Skilled in sports science, performance analysis, and data science. Proven ability to collect, analyze, and interpret complex data to enhance athlete development and team performance.

Deliver engaging Master's-level course.


Leverage data science techniques to:

    Develop innovative performance analysis tools and methodologies
    Extract actionable insights from large datasets
    Build predictive models to optimize training and competition strategies

By combining my expertise in sports science and data science, I contribute to the advancement of sports performance and the training of future sports scientists and data scientist

Senior Lecturer & Lead Scientist

Hochschule für Angewandte Sprachen des SDI München

Hochschule für Angewandte Sprachen des SDI München (HfAS) is a private, state-recognized university of applied sciences located in Munich, Germany. Founded in 1952, it has a long history of providing high-quality education in the field of applied languages and accredited bachelor's and master's degree programs in business, communication, digital media and language. 
Taught Statistics Course

    International Communication and Business Bachelor's Program
    Summer Semester
    Developed and delivered a statistics course to 30 students, covering topics such as:
        Variable types and data collection methods
        Data visualization techniques (e.g., Pareto charts, box plots)
        Descriptive statistics and data analysis
        Probability theory and statistical inference
        Correlation and regression analysis using Excel and Google Sheets

Lecturer in Statistics

The Technical University of Munich (TUM)  consistently ranks among the top universities in Europe and the world, boasting a vibrant atmosphere that fosters excellence across various fields.

•	Secured €100,000 research grant: Played a pivotal role in acquiring resources for cutting-edge research in sports analytics at TUM.
•	Led a team of 5 researchers: Successfully managed and motivated a research team, fostering collaboration and achieving project goals. This experience highlights strong leadership and communication skills.
•	Authored and published 5 peer-reviewed publications: Contributed significantly to the scientific community through in-depth data analysis, scientific writing, and successful publication of research findings.
•	Managed 5 data science projects in sports analytics: Possess extensive experience applying data science techniques using python and machine learning to analyze various sports disciplines, including Ultimate Frisbee, Soccer, Handball, and Track and Field.

•	Strong organizational and communication skills, as demonstrated by successfully organizing and managing 2 international workshops (40 participants each).
•	Ability to mentor and guide the next generation of researchers, having supervised 3 Master's students during my period at TUM.
#TUM #ScientificAssistant #Research #DataScience #SportsAnalytics #Leadership #ProjectManagement #Publications #Mentorship

Scientific Assistant

Working with position detection in Ultimate Frisbee using video-based systems, scoring probabilities in Handball, performance analysis in running and performance analysis in football using MATLAB

Guest Researcher

Universidade de Brasília UnB

The University of Brasília (UnB ) is a public university in Brasília, Brazil. It was founded in 1960 and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil. UnB is known for its strong academic programs in a variety of fields, including social sciences, humanities, law, economics, engineering, and natural sciences.

•	Lecture responsible for undergraduate students (150 students per semester) in physical education on 3 different lectures: track and field, Biomechanics, and sports informatics.
•	Project management of scientific grants from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPQ/Brazil) and the Federal District Research Support Foundation, a total of BRB 165.000,00 in fundings.
•	16 students supervision on graduation project

Associate Professor

•	Management of the sport facilities of the Olímpico centro of the university of Brasilia, responsible for the  financial management of the resources conferred by the higher administration of the University. •	•	Management  of the physical area of the Olympic Center (114 hectares) defining the forms of user registration, control of their access, as well as taking care of the maintenance of the Olympic Center facilities and their sports and leisure material; 
•	Planning on a semi-annual basis, the activities of the Olympic Center
•	Appoint the managers of Athletics Tracks, Aquatic Park, Sports Gymnasiums, Soccer Fields, Weight Training Rooms, Nautical Sports.
•	Direct management of a team 20 employees providing guidance and motivation to achieve organizational goals.

Head of the Olympic Center at the University of Brasilia 

Sportrunner consulting

•	Scientific consultant, project management  and owner of  sportrunner consulting, responsible for fundraising, sponsorship and project development. 

•	Organization of road races for more than 2000 runners per edition during 5 years.
•	Management of team 45 volunteers during the event

Chief Executive Officer

UEL - Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Responsible to teach the course of Human Movement Analysis for the
graduation in physical education, planning the course, the activities and the
evaluation of the students.

Assistant Professor

Experienced Data Scientist and Sports Analytics Professional with a proven track record of transforming complex data into actionable insights through compelling storytelling. With over 12 years of experience in data analytics and data science, I specialize in leveraging advanced analytics techniques to drive strategic decision-making. I have successfully collaborated with international stakeholders to deliver data-driven solutions that create measurable impact.

Core Competencies:
•	Data Science: Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, and machine learning algorithms.
•	Data Visualization: Skill in creating insightful visualizations using tools like Streamlit.
•	Communication: Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.

Recent Achievements:
•	Data Science Certification: Completed a rigorous data science program co-certified by DataScientist and Paris La Sorbonne University, further enhancing my skills in Python and data science techniques.
•	Research and Publications: Published  research papers in top-tier journals and presented findings at international conferences.
•	Project Leadership: Successfully managed multiple research projects, including video-based analysis of sports performance and the development of innovative data-driven solutions.

Past  Role:
As a Senior Lecturer and Lead Scientist at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), I am a collaborative team player with strong problem-solving abilities and excellent communication skills. I thrive in dynamic environments where I can combine analytical thinking with creative solutions. My passion for data extends beyond the workplace - I actively participate in data science communities and stay current with industry trends.

In my free time, I maintain an active lifestyle through running, basketball, and football, which not only keeps me energized but also gives me first-hand experience in sports performance and analytics from an athlete's perspective. This personal connection to sports enriches my understanding of the data science applications.

If you want to know more about my work, contact me:
tiagorussomanno@outlook.com

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