Alec Nguyen, the founder of Afforai, shares his inspiring journey from a college project to a successful AI-powered reference manager, generating $700,000 in just three months. He discusses the challenges of integrating AI into academia and the importance of smart distribution strategies for success. Alec offers growth-hacking tips, highlights ethical considerations for AI use, and shares his experience with venture capital as an international student entrepreneur. He also emphasizes the role of user feedback and a lean team in achieving rapid growth.