Become a sponsor to Arun Rajiah
Vanakkam! I'm Arun, a software engineer from Chennai. I build AI and web tools for people and organizations that mainstream tech ignores—conservationists, nonprofits, small publishers, and independent teams who can't afford (or won't use) commercial alternatives.
I grew up in rural Tamil Nadu, where my grandfather taught me that real wealth isn't measured in rupees or valuations—it's in how you serve others. That wisdom shaped everything I do.
These days, I chase a different kind of growth. I drink ~12 cups of filter kaapi a day (South Indian filter coffee is non-negotiable for a Tamilian), which basically means I'm permanently caffeinated and thinking about the next project to build. I founded Code 4 Cause and help accelerate founders building tech for social impact through Lvl1 Accelerator.
My book, "Becoming the Seed: A Journey of Growth and Entrepreneurship," explores what it means to grow as a founder beyond metrics and milestones—it's about spiritual entrepreneurship, failure, learning, and building something that actually matters.
Your sponsorship directly funds this mission: infrastructure, time to respond thoughtfully to users, and the ability to say 'no' to commercial pressures. Open source should serve everyone, not just the privileged.
What your sponsorship supports
- Birdecho — Companion app for bird identification (BirdNET-Pi, BirdNET-Go) for citizen scientists and conservation programs.
- SpeciesNet Studio — Self-hosted review UI for wildlife classifier predictions; used by camera-trap researchers globally.
- CCTVQL — Natural-language queries over Frigate and ONVIF footage for conservation groups and schools.
- OpenMem — Local-first AI memory layer for Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini; built for journalists, lawyers, and clinicians whose work shouldn't live in someone else's cloud.
- AI Auto News Poster — WordPress plugin that drafts posts from RSS feeds; for local news sites and niche publications.
- OdooPilot — AI messaging bridge for Odoo Community; enables small teams and nonprofits to automate without expensive enterprise licenses.
$5 a month
Select☕ Coffee Companion
A South Indian filter coffee a month is basically a ritual—and your sponsorship fuels the same energy that powers our projects. You'll get a sponsor badge and my sincere thanks. Every contribution matters, no matter the size.
You receive:
- Sponsor badge on your GitHub profile
- Early access to project announcements
- My genuine gratitude
$25 a month
Select🍽️ Dosa Supporter
Now you're buying the full breakfast—sambar, chutney, everything. This tier keeps hosting and infrastructure running, and gives you a real seat at the table. You're officially part of the inner circle, and I'll show up for you.
You receive:
- Everything in Coffee Companion
- Your name in my supporters acknowledgements
- Monthly project digest (what shipped, what's coming, why it matters)
- Direct email access for urgent questions
$100 a month
Select🎥 Patron of Tech & Culture
You're genuinely invested—not just in one project, but in the ongoing work of building open source tools that matter. This tier is about partnership. I'll show up for you with real access, real conversations, and a genuine commitment to making the work worthwhile.
You receive:
- Everything in Dosa Supporter
- Priority feature requests across all my projects
- Quarterly video call — strategy, direction, whatever's useful
- Your organization featured in project documentation
$500 a month
Select👑 Philosopher King
In South Indian philosophy, the wise patron invests not for returns but for the flourishing of knowledge and craft. You're that person. This tier is for those who want to be genuinely close to the work—shaping it, influencing it, and being the first to see what's next.
You receive:
- Everything in Patron of Tech & Culture
- Private monthly 1:1 calls
- First look at new projects before they're public
- Direct influence on annual project priorities
- Your name highlighted as a founding patron across all projects