Nils Pihl is the CEO and founder of Auki Labs, a deep-tech company redefining how augmented reality (AR) can power meaningful social and business experiences. What started in 2019 as a passion project to create AR overlays for tabletop games like Warhammer quickly evolved into a multimillion-dollar company at the forefront of spatial computing. Nils shares his conviction that new business models and decentralized technology will fundamentally reshape software—and even capitalism itself.

Key Takeaways

• Start Small, Think Big: Auki Labs began with playful AR overlays for games but scaled quickly by focusing on community ownership and decentralized models.
• Decentralization is the Future: True value creation in software will come from platforms owned and operated by their users, not just corporations.
• Augmented Reality, Real Impact: AR is at its best when it enhances live, shared experiences—turning the virtual into a collaborative tool for everyday life and business.
• Innovation Through Openness: Embracing open-source and collective funding accelerates innovation and broadens the impact of new technology.

Beyond the technology, Nils’s philosophy challenges traditional business frameworks: he explores open-source, collective governance, and decentralized funding models as the future of innovation. He remains motivated by the “software upgrade of capitalism,” aiming to empower people—not just companies—through technology that invites participation, not just passive consumption.

About Nils Pihil

Nils Pihl is an entrepreneur, behavioral engineer, and social transhumanist with a deep focus on the intersection of modern technology and human behavior. Nils founded Auki Labs which is advancing the development of the Auki Network and posemesh protocol, a decentralized machine perception network designed to help devices, robots, and embodied and physical AI perceive and interact with the world around it through a shared understanding of space.

A thought leader in the realms of technology and memetics, Nils applies his expertise in meme theory, game theory, and behavioral psychology to craft compelling narratives that shape the path of the AI revolution, future of augmented reality, and the acceleration of robotic technologies.

About The Glow Up

A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.
At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.
In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success.

A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.
At The Tech Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.
In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success.
If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.