GREENWICH, Conn., June 20, 2025 ~ Houston, Texas - O'Shaughnessy Ventures LLC (OSV) has recently announced the recipient of their prestigious O'Shaughnessy Fellowship. Charlie Becker, a writer and bookseller based in Houston, Texas, has been awarded the $100,000 fellowship for his innovative project that aims to support independent bookstores.

Becker's project involves building an AI-powered tool that will assist independent bookstores in identifying and cataloging rare and obscure books. With this tool, Becker hopes to create a free and open database containing metadata for a wide range of lesser-known literary works such as books, pamphlets, monographs, and magazines. In addition to this, he also plans to publish essays and conduct interviews to foster a community of book lovers around the project.

Having worked at his family's secondhand bookstore since 1993, Becker understands the challenges faced by independent bookstores in preserving literary knowledge while operating efficiently. His tool aims to reduce hours of manual research into seconds of automated work, making it easier for bookstores to fulfill their role as cultural stewards. Moreover, better cataloging will enable readers to discover overlooked works and support these small businesses.

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Before embarking on this project, Becker spent three years in China helping scale an education startup across 12 cities with 60 employees. He later became a professor and managing director at the University of Houston's Stimulating Urban Renewal Through Entrepreneurship (SURE) Program where he helped grow over 1,200 small businesses. In his newsletter "Charlie Becker," he writes about books, philosophy, culture, and legacy.

Jim O'Shaughnessy, founder and CEO of OSV expressed his excitement about supporting Becker's vision saying that independent bookstores are essential cultural institutions and Becker's work provides them with the necessary tools to thrive in the digital age. He also added that Becker's passion for books is shared by their team at OSV.

Becker, on the other hand, believes that using AI to empower used bookstores is a way of honoring old and often overlooked wisdom with cutting-edge technology. He expressed his gratitude for receiving the O'Shaughnessy Fellowship, stating that it is a powerful endorsement of his vision. He also acknowledged that while success cannot be guaranteed, the time, support, and network provided by the fellowship feel like a sure thing.

With this fellowship, Becker hopes to make a significant impact in the world of independent bookstores and preserve literary knowledge for generations to come. The O'Shaughnessy Fellowship has once again recognized and supported an innovative project that has the potential to bring positive change in society.

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