.about-hero { padding: 48px 0 80px; position: relative; overflow: hidden; }
    .about-hero::before {
        content: ''; position: absolute;
        top: 20%; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%);
        width: 900px; height: 900px;
        background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.08), transparent 55%);
        pointer-events: none; z-index: 0;
    }
    .about-hero .container { position: relative; z-index: 1; }
    .page-badge {
        display: inline-block;
        font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600;
        letter-spacing: 0.12em; text-transform: uppercase;
        color: var(--text-muted);
        padding-left: 40px; margin-bottom: 20px;
        position: relative;
    }
    .page-badge::before {
        content: ''; position: absolute; left: 0; top: 50%;
        width: 28px; height: 1px; background: var(--text-muted);
        transform: translateY(-50%);
    }
    .about-hero h1 {
        font-size: clamp(36px, 5.5vw, 72px);
        font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.05;
        letter-spacing: -0.03em; margin-bottom: 28px;
        color: var(--text-primary); max-width: 900px;
    }
    .about-hero h1 .highlight {
        color: #67E8F9;
        background: var(--gradient-main);
        -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
        background-clip: text; font-style: italic;
    }
    .about-hero .hero-lead {
        font-size: clamp(16px, 1.4vw, 20px);
        line-height: 1.7; color: var(--text-secondary);
        max-width: 640px; font-weight: 400;
    }

    /* ============================
       BREADCRUMB (NEW — for SEO + UX)
       ============================ */
    .breadcrumb {
        display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
        font-size: 12.5px; color: var(--text-muted);
        margin-bottom: 24px; flex-wrap: wrap;
    }
    .breadcrumb a {
        color: var(--text-muted); text-decoration: none;
        border-bottom: 1px dotted rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.4);
        transition: all 0.2s;
    }
    .breadcrumb a:hover { color: #93C5FD; border-bottom-color: #93C5FD; }
    .breadcrumb i { font-size: 9px; }

    /* ============================
       STATS STRIP
       ============================ */
    .stats-strip {
        padding: 60px 0;
        border-top: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
        border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
        margin-top: 40px;
    }
    .stats-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); gap: 20px; }
    .stat-item {
        padding: 8px 20px;
        border-right: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
        position: relative;
        opacity: 0; transform: translateY(20px);
        transition: all 0.7s cubic-bezier(0.23, 1, 0.32, 1);
    }
    .stat-item.revealed { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
    .stat-item:last-child { border-right: none; }
    .stat-number {
        font-size: clamp(32px, 3.5vw, 44px); font-weight: 800;
        background: var(--gradient-main);
        color: #67E8F9;
        -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
        background-clip: text; letter-spacing: -0.02em;
        line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 8px; display: block;
    }
    .stat-label {
        font-size: 12px; font-weight: 500;
        color: var(--text-muted);
        letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase;
    }

    /* ============================
       STORY
       ============================ */
    .story-section { padding: 100px 0; }
    .section-label {
        font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600;
        letter-spacing: 0.12em; text-transform: uppercase;
        color: var(--text-muted);
        padding-left: 40px; margin-bottom: 24px;
        position: relative; display: inline-block;
    }
    .section-label::before {
        content: ''; position: absolute; left: 0; top: 50%;
        width: 28px; height: 1px; background: var(--text-muted);
        transform: translateY(-50%);
    }
    .story-grid {
        display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
        gap: 80px; align-items: start;
    }
    .story-heading {
        font-size: clamp(28px, 3.5vw, 44px);
        font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.15;
        letter-spacing: -0.02em; margin-bottom: 28px;
        color: var(--text-primary);
    }
    .story-heading .highlight {
        background: var(--gradient-main);
        color: #67E8F9;
        -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
        background-clip: text; font-style: italic;
    }
    .story-body p {
        font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.8;
        color: var(--text-secondary); margin-bottom: 20px;
    }
    .story-body p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
    .story-body strong { color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600; }
    .story-highlight {
        padding: 24px 28px;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.06), rgba(6, 182, 212, 0.03));
        border-left: 3px solid var(--accent-primary);
        border-radius: 10px; margin: 28px 0;
        font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;
        color: var(--text-primary); line-height: 1.7; font-weight: 500;
    }

    /* ============================
       FOUNDER
       ============================ */
    .founder-section {
        padding: 100px 0;
        background: linear-gradient(180deg, transparent, rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.02), transparent);
        position: relative;
    }
    .founder-card {
        display: grid; grid-template-columns: 380px 1fr;
        gap: 60px; align-items: center;
        background: rgba(26, 26, 46, 0.5);
        backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
        border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
        border-radius: 24px; padding: 48px;
        position: relative; overflow: hidden;
    }
    .founder-card::before {
        content: ''; position: absolute;
        top: 0; right: 0;
        width: 400px; height: 400px;
        background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.1), transparent 65%);
        pointer-events: none;
    }
    .founder-image-wrap {
        position: relative; aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
        border-radius: 20px; overflow: hidden;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.15), rgba(6, 182, 212, 0.1));
        z-index: 1;
    }
    .founder-image {
        width: 100%; height: 100%;
        object-fit: cover; display: block;
        transition: transform 0.8s cubic-bezier(0.23, 1, 0.32, 1);
    }
    .founder-image-wrap:hover .founder-image { transform: scale(1.04); }
    .founder-image-wrap::after {
        content: ''; position: absolute; inset: 0;
        border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
        border-radius: 20px; pointer-events: none;
        transition: all 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.23, 1, 0.32, 1);
    }
    .founder-image-wrap:hover::after {
        inset: -8px; border-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.4);
    }
    .founder-content { position: relative; z-index: 1; }
    .founder-role {
        font-family: var(--font-code);
        font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600;
        letter-spacing: 0.15em; text-transform: uppercase;
        color: var(--accent-cyan-bright);   /* brighter — fixes contrast */
        margin-bottom: 12px; display: inline-block;
    }
    .founder-name {
        font-size: clamp(28px, 3vw, 40px);
        font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.15;
        letter-spacing: -0.02em; margin-bottom: 8px;
        color: var(--text-primary);
    }
    .founder-credentials {
        font-size: 15px; color: var(--text-secondary);
        margin-bottom: 24px; font-weight: 500;
    }
    .founder-credentials strong {
        color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;
        background: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.1);
        padding: 2px 10px; border-radius: 6px;
        border: 1px solid rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.2);
        font-family: var(--font-code); font-size: 12px;
        margin-left: 4px;
    }
    .founder-bio {
        font-size: 15.5px; line-height: 1.8;
        color: var(--text-secondary); margin-bottom: 28px;
    }
    .founder-bio p { margin-bottom: 14px; }
    .founder-bio p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
    .founder-bio strong { color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600; }
    .expertise-tags { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px; margin-top: 20px; }
    .expertise-tag {
        display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px;
        padding: 5px 12px;
        background: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.06);
        border: 1px solid rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.15);
        border-radius: 50px;
        font-size: 11.5px; font-weight: 500;
        color: var(--text-secondary);
        transition: var(--transition);
    }
    .expertise-tag::before {
        content: ''; width: 5px; height: 5px;
        border-radius: 50%; background: var(--accent-cyan-bright);
        box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(77, 212, 255, 0.6);
    }
    .expertise-tag:hover {
        background: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.12);
        border-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.3);
        color: var(--text-primary); transform: translateY(-1px);
    }

    /* ============================
       VALUES
       ============================ */
    .values-section { padding: 100px 0; }
    .section-header { margin-bottom: 60px; max-width: 720px; }
    .section-header h2 {
        font-size: clamp(28px, 3.5vw, 42px);
        font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.15;
        letter-spacing: -0.02em; margin-bottom: 16px;
        color: var(--text-primary);
    }
    .section-header h2 .highlight {
        background: var(--gradient-main);
        color: #67E8F9;
        -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
        background-clip: text; font-style: italic;
    }
    .section-header p {
        font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7;
        color: var(--text-secondary);
    }
    .values-grid {
        display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
        gap: 1px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
        border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
        border-radius: 20px; overflow: hidden;
    }
    .value-item {
        padding: 36px 32px;
        background: var(--bg-primary);
        position: relative; transition: var(--transition);
        opacity: 0; transform: translateY(20px);
    }
    .value-item.revealed { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
    .value-item::before {
        content: ''; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0;
        width: 0; height: 2px; background: var(--gradient-main);
        transition: width 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.23, 1, 0.32, 1);
    }
    .value-item:hover { background: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.03); }
    .value-item:hover::before { width: 100%; }
    .value-number {
        font-family: var(--font-code);
        font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--text-muted);
        letter-spacing: 0.1em; margin-bottom: 20px;
        display: block;
    }
    .value-item h3 {
        font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;
        margin-bottom: 12px; color: var(--text-primary);
        letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 1.3;
    }
    .value-item p {
        font-size: 14.5px; line-height: 1.7;
        color: var(--text-secondary); margin: 0;
    }

    /* ============================
       QUOTE
       ============================ */
    .quote-section {
        padding: 100px 0; text-align: center;
        position: relative; overflow: hidden;
    }
    .quote-section::before {
        content: '"'; position: absolute;
        top: 40px; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%);
        font-size: 320px; font-family: Georgia, serif;
        color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.05);
        line-height: 1; pointer-events: none; font-weight: 700;
    }
    .quote-content {
        max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto;
        position: relative; z-index: 1;
    }
    .quote-text {
        font-size: clamp(22px, 2.5vw, 32px);
        line-height: 1.5; font-weight: 500;
        color: var(--text-primary);
        letter-spacing: -0.01em; margin-bottom: 24px;
        font-style: italic;
    }
    .quote-text strong {
        background: var(--gradient-main);
        color: #67E8F9;
        -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
        background-clip: text; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;
    }
    .quote-author {
        font-family: var(--font-code);
        font-size: 13px; color: var(--text-muted);
        letter-spacing: 0.08em; text-transform: uppercase;
    }

    /* ============================
       SEO CONTENT (NEW — keyword-rich block)
       ============================ */
    .seo-content-block {
        padding: 60px 0 80px;
        max-width: 900px;
        margin: 0 auto;
    }
    .seo-content-block h2 {
        font-size: 26px; font-weight: 700;
        margin-bottom: 20px; color: #fff;
        letter-spacing: -0.02em;
    }
    .seo-content-block h3 {
        font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700;
        margin: 28px 0 12px; color: #fff;
    }
    .seo-content-block p {
        font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.8;
        color: #CBD5E1; margin-bottom: 16px;
    }
    .seo-content-block ul { margin: 12px 0 20px 22px; }
    .seo-content-block li {
        font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.85;
        color: #CBD5E1; margin-bottom: 8px;
    }
    .seo-content-block a {
        color: #93C5FD;
        text-decoration: underline;
        text-decoration-color: rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.4);
        text-underline-offset: 3px;
    }
    .seo-content-block a:hover { color: #22D3EE; }

    /* ============================
       CTA
       ============================ */
    .cta-section {
        padding: 100px 0 120px; text-align: center;
        position: relative;
    }
    .cta-section::before {
        content: ''; position: absolute;
        top: 50%; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
        width: 700px; height: 400px;
        background: radial-gradient(ellipse, rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.1), transparent 60%);
        pointer-events: none;
    }
    .cta-content {
        position: relative; z-index: 1;
        max-width: 640px; margin: 0 auto;
    }
    .cta-content h2 {
        font-size: clamp(28px, 4vw, 44px);
        font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.15;
        letter-spacing: -0.02em; margin-bottom: 16px;
        color: var(--text-primary);
    }
    .cta-content h2 .highlight {
        background: var(--gradient-main);
        color: #67E8F9;
        -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
        background-clip: text; font-style: italic;
    }
    .cta-content p {
        font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7;
        color: var(--text-secondary); margin-bottom: 32px;
    }
    .cta-buttons {
        display: flex; justify-content: center;
        gap: 12px; flex-wrap: wrap;
    }
    .btn-primary, .btn-secondary {
        display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
        padding: 14px 28px; border-radius: 12px;
        font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px;
        text-decoration: none; transition: var(--transition);
        font-family: var(--font-family); border: none; cursor: pointer;
    }
    .btn-primary { background: var(--gradient-main); color: white; }
    .btn-primary:hover {
        transform: translateY(-3px);
        box-shadow: 0 15px 40px rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.35);
    }
    .btn-secondary {
        background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
        border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
        color: var(--text-primary);
    }
    .btn-secondary:hover {
        background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
        transform: translateY(-3px);
        border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
    }

    /* ============================
       RESPONSIVE
       ============================ */
    @media (max-width: 1024px) {
        .story-grid { gap: 50px; }
        .founder-card { grid-template-columns: 300px 1fr; gap: 40px; padding: 36px; }
        .values-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
    }
    @media (max-width: 1024px) {
        .story-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 40px; }
        .founder-card { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 32px; padding: 32px; }
        .founder-image-wrap { max-width: 320px; margin: 0 auto; }
        .stats-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 30px; }
        .stat-item:nth-child(2) { border-right: none; }
    }
    @media (max-width: 768px) {
        .navbar { padding: 12px 0; }
        .logo-image { height: 45px; }
        .nav-back { font-size: 12px; padding: 6px 12px; }
        .about-hero { padding: 120px 0 60px; }
        .about-hero h1 { font-size: 32px; }
        .about-hero .hero-lead { font-size: 15px; }
        .stats-strip { padding: 40px 0; }
        .stats-grid { gap: 20px; }
        .stat-number { font-size: 28px; }
        .stat-label { font-size: 10.5px; }
        .story-section { padding: 60px 0; }
        .story-heading { font-size: 26px; }
        .story-body p { font-size: 15px; }
        .founder-section { padding: 60px 0; }
        .founder-card { padding: 24px; border-radius: 20px; }
        .founder-name { font-size: 24px; }
        .founder-bio { font-size: 14.5px; }
        .values-section { padding: 60px 0; }
        .values-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
        .value-item { padding: 28px 24px; }
        .quote-section { padding: 60px 0; }
        .quote-text { font-size: 20px; }
        .seo-content-block { padding: 40px 0 60px; }
        .seo-content-block h2 { font-size: 22px; }
        .cta-section { padding: 60px 0 80px; }
        .cta-content h2 { font-size: 26px; }
        .cta-content p { font-size: 15px; }
        .btn-primary, .btn-secondary { padding: 12px 22px; font-size: 13.5px; }
    }
    @media (max-width: 640px) {
        .about-hero h1 { font-size: 28px; }
        .founder-card { padding: 20px; }
        .stat-number { font-size: 24px; }
    }

    @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
        * { transition: none !important; animation: none !important; }
        .stat-item, .value-item { opacity: 1 !important; transform: none !important; }
    }