#23 - Sunil Rajaraman, Founder at Hamlet

Unlocking Local Data for Real-World Impact

Sunil Rajaraman, founder of Hamlet, joined host Jared S. Taylor on the Sliced Real Estate Podcast to share how Hamlet is revolutionizing the use of public city data. As a former city council candidate, Rajaraman recognized a critical gap: the vast troves of city council meeting information were often inaccessible or inefficient for stakeholders like real estate developers.

Hamlet simplifies this by condensing hours-long city council meetings into digestible, relevant summaries. For developers, it means faster insights on planning commissions, entitlement risks, and project approvals—saving time and money.

The Birth of Hamlet

The idea for Hamlet originated during Rajaraman’s city council campaign in Orinda, California. Observing lengthy meetings on California’s housing element, he began sharing summaries through a local newsletter. This grassroots effort sparked the realization of a larger need, evolving Hamlet from a community project into a robust data platform for private and government clients alike.

AI as a Game Changer

Operating in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, Hamlet taps into technologies like natural language processing to extract and analyze critical meeting data. From sentiment analysis to agenda monitoring, the company’s tools are tailored for diverse needs, including government agencies like the cities of Palo Alto and Saratoga.

A Strategic Vision for 2025

Looking ahead, Hamlet’s focus remains sharp:

Agenda Monitoring: Offering clients early intelligence on critical topics like impact fees.
Data Extraction: Delivering insights on projects, voting patterns, and regulatory actions.
Advanced Search Capabilities: Enabling users to track key issues across city meetings.

Rajaraman also hinted at expansion into retail and renewable energy sectors, acknowledging the challenge of prioritizing investments while staying true to Hamlet’s core offerings.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

Rajaraman left listeners with thoughtful advice: understand whether your business suits venture-backed or bootstrapped growth. There’s no right or wrong approach, but aligning your strategy with your market potential is essential.

With an eye on innovation and customer needs, Hamlet continues to shape how local data is used—empowering businesses and governments alike.