Jewish Schools Opportunity and TimeHack Platform Discussion

Date: May 21, 2025
Participants: Gary Sheng, Liwei Mao
Location: Phone call (Gary outside Alpha campus)
Key Topics: Jewish schools opportunity, TimeHack platform, DC connections

Overview

Gary Sheng and Liwei Mao discussed a time-sensitive opportunity involving Jewish schools that need educational solutions to meet regulatory requirements and avoid being shut down. Gary had recently built high-level relationships in DC and New York that revealed this opportunity. Liwei provided insights about the TimeHack/Alpha Anywhere platform that could potentially address these needs and recommended connecting with Eddie Montgomery and Amanda, who are developing the platform. The conversation also touched on Liwei's work schedule and Gary's increasing focus on travel and relationship-building activities.

Key Points Discussed

Jewish Schools Opportunity

• Regulatory Challenge: Jewish private schools that focus primarily on Torah education are facing potential shutdown if they don't meet certain educational requirements
• Target Solution: Potentially using Alpha's "two hour learning" suite of products to help these schools satisfy requirements
• Market Clarification: Liwei raised important questions about the specific Jewish communities involved, noting differences between wealthy Jewish families and Orthodox communities
• Demographic Insights: Liwei provided context about Orthodox Jews in New York who "live on welfare" and often have children who are "undereducated, or often not educated, or not in school"
• Market Potential: Gary confirmed the opportunity would provide "a pathway to very wealthy Jews" regardless of the specific schools' financial status

TimeHack Platform and Resources

• Product Development: Liwei mentioned that Amanda is "writing Alpha Anywhere on top of TimeHack"
• Platform Updates: Liwei noted that a "new Time Bag platform" is launching that will be "less duct tape than before"
• Key Personnel: Identified Eddie/Andy Montgomery as the primary contact for the TimeHack platform
• Testing Opportunity: Liwei suggested this Jewish schools situation "could be a very good test for him [Eddie]"

Professional Networks and DC Strategy

• Gary's Travel Focus: Gary mentioned "solidifying an understanding" with Arthur, Joe, and Mackenzie about traveling more due to its "very high ROI"
• DC Potential: Liwei expressed that "DC is perfect for you [Gary]" suggesting alignment with his skills
• Strategic Alignment: Gary agreed it would be "idiotic" not to leverage his technical abilities and relationship-building skills
• Next Steps: Gary mentioned an upcoming breakfast with Mackenzie to discuss various topics including DC opportunities

Strategic Recommendations

• Initial Outreach: Liwei recommended first talking to Amanda about the Jewish schools opportunity
• Warm Introduction Approach: Gary suggested having Steph (described as "cat of K-8") make a warm introduction to Eddie/Andy Montgomery rather than a direct email that might appear as a directive from Joe
• Technical Assessment: Need to determine if the current suite of products, despite being "duct tape together," could satisfy educational requirements for these schools

Work Environment Context

• Remote Work: Liwei has been "working from home for the last month" but anticipates going to the office "24-7" once Tyler and Michael arrive next week
• Personal Time: Liwei mentioned "maximizing home time" while possible, noting her husband/partner was in New York at the time
• Alpha Campus: Gary was taking the call from outside the Alpha campus, commenting on the weather being "beautiful in the mornings before it gets super hot"

Action Items and Next Steps

• Gary to speak with Amanda first about the opportunity
• Consider having Steph make a warm introduction to Eddie/Andy Montgomery
• Gary plans to discuss DC opportunities with Mackenzie during their Friday breakfast
• Gather more specifics about the Jewish schools (size, financial resources, specific needs)

Key Quotes

Gary on High-Level Connections:

"So I built some really high level relationships in DC and New York over the past week and one of them basically let me know of a time-sensitive opportunity, which is a huge opportunity, is that basically Jewish schools, private schools, they don't give a fuck about Common Core, but they need to care if they want to stay open."

Gary on Jewish Schools' Educational Focus:

"So they basically only really hired teachers that teach them the Torah and they basically half-ass everything else."

Liwei on Orthodox Jewish Communities:

"Orthodox Jews in New York, they live on welfare. Um, they're very religious, and they have a ton of kids. And like, the kids oftentimes are undereducated, or often not educated, or not in school."

Liwei on Jewish Academic Focus:

"Usually Jewish folks are just like Asians, they're so academically focused. Uh, yeah. So that part doesn't quite add up."

Liwei on TimeHack Platform:

"The latest I know is that they're launching a new Time Bag platform, and it's going to be less duct tape than before. And this could be a very good test for him."

Gary on His Strategic Value:

"I think it would be actually idiotic if they don't seize on a technical person that is also very good with relationships and partnerships."

Liwei on DC Opportunity:

"I feel like DC is perfect for you, so I don't know if Joe would not say yes."