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Mason Williams doesn’t just chase innovation—he creates it. From coding games as a kid to launching startups from his college dorm, the CEC alumnus has always been drawn to the cutting edge. Now, with his latest venture, , he’s designing self-managing AI systems that could redefine automation itself. But Williams’ path to becoming a tech entrepreneur wasn’t a straight shot—it was a relentless pursuit of ideas, risks, and lessons learned, all fueled by a passion to build what’s next.

Named to in 2024—a recognition of rising entrepreneurs in Cincinnati’s startup scene—Williams has accomplished a lot in his short time since graduating from CEC, and even more if you look back at his time at Miami. As a first-year undergraduate, he launched Space Foundry, a video game marketplace that quickly took off, generating six-figure annual gross merchandise value (GMV) and attracting users from over 50 countries. During its acquisition in 2022, Williams co-founded Bloxsmith with classmate Blake Faulkner. Designed as the ultimate marketplace for game developers, Bloxsmith allowed seamless transactions of 3D models, graphics, UI, maps, and more—using both real and in-game currencies. “I love video games,” Williams said. “If I can take the things I do for passion and turn them into something successful—make money, do it for a living—of course I’m going to do that. That’s a no-brainer.” Leading a team of nine ºÚÁÏÉçÇø developers, Williams oversaw the platform’s technical direction, implemented proprietary payment and inventory systems, and helped secure over $200,000 in investor funding.

“That taught me so much—building an entire platform from scratch essentially forces you to learn all the ins and outs, not just of development, but of leadership,” Williams said. The experience set the stage for his next role at Pieces for Developers, where he continued to push the boundaries of AI-driven innovation. Having known the founders through Miami’s Launch Accelerator Program, he began at Pieces as an Infrastructure Intern and later transitioned to working on Product. There, he took on a dynamic role, contributing to full-stack development, refining internal frameworks, and engaging in developer advocacy. He also played a key role in community building, representing the company at industry events and fostering engagement on platforms like Discord and Product Hunt.

Though not the traditional career path, transitioning from a founder to an employee was an intentional choice for Williams. “A lot of people don’t do that—once you start your business, there’s that ‘I’m never working for anyone again’ type motto. I think it’s foolish—especially when you’re young, because you just don’t know what you don’t know.” But now, after spending time working on his craft, Williams is ready to re-enter the founder space—and is doing so in a big way. 

Today, Williams is setting his sights on something even bigger: reshaping how AI operates at its core. With his latest venture, Fathom AI, he’s tackling one of the biggest challenges in automation—creating AI agents that don’t just follow instructions but manage themselves entirely. “Today's AI agents make individual tool calls without any real structure—it’s fundamentally unreliable for business use,” Williams explained. “By embedding agents within workflow automation, we're transforming them from scattered actors into fully autonomous, systematic operations that businesses can actually depend on.”

Fathom AI is building the infrastructure for this next evolution, where AI moves beyond simple conversation into independent execution. Unlike current systems that require human oversight at every step, Fathom’s agents can create, modify, and execute workflow automations 24/7 while maintaining transparency and control for users. If successful, it could mark a major leap toward truly self-managing AI—one where technology doesn’t just assist humans but actively operates alongside them.

While Williams is focused on the future of AI, he’s quick to credit the foundation that got him here. As a Computer Science major with an Entrepreneurship minor, his time at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø helped shape both his technical expertise and business mindset. “The only reason that I’m here is because of the CSE and the Entrepreneurship program,” he said. Courses in computer science gave him the skills to build, while the Entrepreneurship program exposed him to the fundamentals of launching and scaling a business.

Beyond the classroom, Miami’s Launch Accelerator Program was a turning point. It connected Williams with a network of founders, investors, and mentors—one of whom later led him to Pieces. Even after graduating, his connection to Miami hasn’t faded. “I really, really enjoy Miami. Obviously, I’m still coming back to campus, I’m judging pitch competitions, doing stuff all the time back on campus,” he said. Whether mentoring ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs, offering feedback on startup ideas, or engaging with Miami’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, Williams is committed to giving back to the community that helped him get his start.

Looking back on his own journey, Williams emphasizes the importance of taking initiative and embracing the learning process. “Do side projects, have a path, find your passion. It’s hard to, but try and do that as early as you can… Don’t be afraid to try stuff out and fail.” He urges aspiring founders to take advantage of , which offers mentorship, community, and resources for ºÚÁÏÉçÇø entrepreneurs. But just as important as building projects, he says, is building relationships. “The biggest value add from college for me…is the social connections and networking. You never know—your freshman dorm mate might be the exact person that you need to know down the road.”

Williams’ journey from a college founder to an AI innovator reflects his drive to push boundaries and uplift others along the way. As he continues to shape the future of automation, he remains a resource for the next generation of builders. “If you’re a CS ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and you’re building something, message me. I’d love to talk about it, I’m very connected in Cincinnati. Even if you’re looking for a job too, I know a lot of people in Cincinnati who are hiring. Reach out to me on LinkedIn.” For Williams, success isn’t just about what he creates—it’s about the community he helps build.