Profile banner
Ian Hsiao

Ian Hsiao

Physics student and AI tool builder; Heptabase software engineer.

ianhsiao
Beijing, China
Taiwan
Joined January 2025
Favicon imageianhsiao.me
Favicon imagearxiv-viz.ianhsiao.xyz
Favicon imagegithub.com
Favicon imageheptabase.com
Favicon imageblog.ianhsiao.me
Favicon imagedevpost.com
Favicon imagethreads.com
Favicon imagex.com
Favicon imagelinkedin.com

Network

951 connections

Summary

Product‑oriented AI/tool builder: Ian (Yang‑Che) builds practical AI tools to make research and knowledge work easier — most notably Paper Visualizer (arxiv‑viz), an AI‑driven paper visualization and literature‑mapping tool that he created and publicly launched. He focuses on making complex research more navigable and on shipping end‑user features. ianhsiao+2
Student leader and organizer in international exchange: While at Peking University he has been active in student international exchange programs — SICA and IMUSE — serving in leadership roles (co‑president of IMUSE) and helping run exchange programs, corporate visits, and public events that connect PKU with US and other international partners. edu+1
Hands‑on software engineer with public code: He maintains multiple public repositories demonstrating practical engineering (markdown-file-query, course.pku_file_download, whisper_subtitle, etc.) and a developer blog describing experiments and product work. His GitHub and personal site document the engineering side of his projects and his approach to building. github+1
Public writer and knowledge‑sharer: He publishes reflective, how‑I‑built posts and whiteboards (Heptabase), blending technical notes with product thinking and pedagogy — indicating strengths in communicating complex ideas visually and in long‑form writing. heptabase

Work

Education

Projects

Writing

Blog: About / writings on product and learning

Personal blog and essays about build/learn/source, product thinking, and practical engineering notes.

Favicon imageblog.ianhsiao.me

Hi, this is my new blog :D

April 1, 2024

Introductory post announcing the blog, themes, and intent to write about learning, building, and sourcing ideas and projects.

Favicon imageblog.ianhsiao.me

My Current Mindsets / Value

June 1, 2025

Personal "system prompts" and mindsets the author follows to guide decision-making and daily work (crystallized principles for learning and building).

Favicon imageblog.ianhsiao.me

The Three Most Important Things in My Life Right Now: Build, Learn, and Source

July 1, 2025

Reflection on prioritizing three core activities—building, learning, and sourcing—and how they shape growth and project choices.

Favicon imageblog.ianhsiao.me

Learnings from an Ex-Amazon Engineer

August 1, 2025

Practical engineering and system-design lessons drawn from experience at Amazon; covers doc-driven coding, focusing on what matters, and other pragmatic tips.

Favicon imageblog.ianhsiao.me

Hobbies

Visual note‑taking and whiteboarding (publishes Heptabase whiteboards and book notes). heptabase

Writing and reading (maintains a personal blog with reflective essays on learning and product building). ianhsiao

Notes

IHIan Hsiaosaid
YHYang-Che Hsiao
is among the very best early-stage startup founders they've worked with.

Jul 21, 2026