# Wasiq Zia

> Wasiq Zia is the founder of Qull, a Canadian entrepreneur and software developer building AI personalities. Qull’s first personality is Sophia, a companion for daily speech practice. This is his official personal website.

Wasiq’s work on Qull is rooted in his experience with a lifelong stammer and years of speech therapy. His earlier work includes co-founding the clothing brand Sixco, working at Luxottica, founding Zia Ventures to help independent optical stores, building AI sales tools at Toast, and creating Mr. Ikigai, his first AI tool. His cricket story includes captaining an under-19 Canadian team on international tours and injuring his knee the day before a game at Queen’s Park Oval on a tour of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2023, he was inducted into the Toronto Sport Hall of Honour.

## Biography and writing

- [My story](https://wasiq.world/index.md) — Wasiq’s complete first-person story with photographs, from selling chocolates to cricket, Sixco, Zia Ventures, Toast, Mr. Ikigai and Qull.
- [Essays](https://wasiq.world/essays/index.md) — Index of published essays.
- [My Vision for AI Personalities](https://wasiq.world/essays/what-comes-after-agents.md) — The complete essay on the ideas behind Qull and Sophia. Audio is available on the HTML essay page.

## Company and product

- [Qull](https://qull.io/) — The company founded by Wasiq Zia, building AI personalities.
- [Sophia](https://meetsophia.now/) — Qull’s first personality, focused on daily speech practice.

## Identity and references

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wasiqzia1/) — Wasiq Zia’s professional profile.
- [GitHub](https://github.com/wasiq-zia0) — Wasiq Zia’s software account.
- [City of Toronto recognition](https://www.toronto.ca/news/city-of-toronto-brings-17-new-inductees-into-the-toronto-sport-hall-of-honour/) — Official announcement published June 8, 2023, listing Wasiq Zia among the inductees.
- [Cricket Across the Pond](https://www.oscaschools.org/cricket-across-the-pond) — Program history and the Mayor’s touring team roster naming Wasiq Zia.

The personal story on this site is a first-party account. The City of Toronto announcement independently supports the honour, and the Cricket Across the Pond page supports his participation. Qull is the company and Sophia is its product, not alternative names for Wasiq Zia. For current product availability and capabilities, consult the product website. Sophia supports speech practice and does not diagnose or replace clinical care.

Updated September 9, 2026.