Essam Sleiman

Essam Sleiman is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Canvas AI, a Y Combinator-backed startup from the Fall 2024 batch developing an artificial intelligence operating system for business-to-business sales. Prior to establishing the company in 2024, he worked as a software engineer building AI systems for Twitch and Amazon Web Services. His entrepreneurial background includes co-founding the sales automation platform Komma, establishing CodeLab as the largest student builder club, and scaling a commercial glove venture to six-figure revenue selling to small and medium-sized businesses during high school. Additionally, he is a published researcher whose technical work has been featured in top-tier academic artificial intelligence conferences. Leading a three-person team, Sleiman currently focuses on integrating machine learning agents with go-to-market workflows to automate lead research, qualification, and outbound booking processes alongside on-demand human sales development representatives.