Fernando Yánez
PhD direct entry in Computer Science
While completing his PhD in computer science at the University of Toronto, Fernando Yánez built more than a research experience — he built a startup. Driven by a desire for independence and impact, he embraced entrepreneurship midway through his program, learning through failed ventures and major setbacks.
Now, he is focused on reimagining information management, shaped by his work in AI and human-computer interaction.
This Q&A has been edited for clarity and length.
You took an unconventional path by building a company alongside your PhD. What inspired you to pursue entrepreneurship at this stage?
I entered my PhD planning to pursue a career in academic research. While I enjoyed teaching and had many opportunities as a TA and course instructor, I realized I was craving the independence to work on something challenging enough to keep me up at night, which I wasn't getting as a developer at Microsoft.
Midway through the program, I saw my path align with my dad's footsteps and chose to embrace entrepreneurship and learn as much as possible. I built several things at U of T, and most did not work out. Eventually, I landed on something I truly believe in — something I think will revolutionize the world and the way we manage information.
Your journey included major setbacks, including restarting your PhD. How did that experience shape your perspective on success and resilience?
My PhD journey included major setbacks. I switched advisors, reframed my research focus, faced rejection from internships and papers, and went through four failed ventures. What kept me going was confidence in myself and my potential.
Those experiences reminded me that even if I did not yet have what it takes, or my methods didn't fit others' expectations, that was not a reason to quit.
“Resilience is crucial, especially in fast-changing fields like computer science.”
We will face rejection and closed doors, but we can choose to keep growing and learning. Over time, success becomes a byproduct of that process.
Having built your path across countries and systems, what does “creating your own opportunities” mean to you now?
To me, creating your own opportunities means positioning yourself so you can grasp opportunities that might otherwise not be available. I learned that the hard way.
Growing up in a failed country, I realized I needed to actively place myself in situations where I could show who I am and how I stand out rather than waiting for others to notice me. The more you do it, the more you build that muscle. You learn how to clearly demonstrate your value, and that is what unlocks opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach.
What first drew you to computer science, and what led you to pursue it at the graduate level?
I have always been academically inclined, with a special interest in math and programming. From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a PhD.
When it came time to apply to grad school, a PhD in computer science at the University of Toronto felt like the best opportunity. The program’s connection to advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence made it the right fit for me.
What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time at U of T — whether in your research, collaborations or academic journey?
I am most proud of gaining clarity about where I want to go, what I want to do and what it takes to get there. That clarity helped me focus on what really matters and allowed me to complete a five-year program in four and a half years, even counting one "lost year" after changing advisors and research directions.
That sense of conviction in myself and my future is what I value most. It gave me the confidence to act and accomplish things I would not have otherwise achieved.
What’s next for you, and how do you see your work in computer science shaping that path?
Well, the reality is that computer science is at the centre of everything I am doing. I am building a tech startup that reimagines how information is managed worldwide.
My experience with human-computer interactions and AI from my PhD program shapes this work and informs my vision for the future of document and information management. That is what I am building toward.