Strive for excellence in your work

By

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11/22/2023

14islands is a Nordic-rooted design and technology studio, dedicated to crafting digital experiences that blend technology with creativity for enhanced user enjoyment and inspiration

Please introduce yourself and your startup 14islands to our readers!

My name is Hjörtur Hilmarsson, and I’m the CEO and founder of 14islands. We’re a human-centric design and technology studio with Nordic roots and a global footprint. We combine technology and design to create experiences that go beyond practicality, infusing a sense of enjoyment and inspiration. Our expertise spans from digital products to websites, forging meaningful connections between businesses and people.

I was born and raised in Iceland, where I began building websites in the 90s. After studying Computer Science and working as a front-end developer at agencies, I decided to follow my passion for creativity. In 2011, I co-founded 14islands with two friends. Today, our agency boasts a dynamic international team collaborating remotely across the globe, with offices in Stockholm, Florianópolis, and Reykjavík.

How did you get the idea of 14islands?

The time I spent in the agency world showed me that high pressure, unreasonable deadlines, and burnout were very common. Our industry was swamped with companies perpetually burning the midnight oil, and it just didn’t seem sustainable. My two friends and I felt like there should be a balance between work and life. We believed in encouraging people to take care of themselves, cherish downtime, and then bring their A-game to the workplace. When we founded 14islands, our goal was to create a healthy work culture, something far from the norm in many agencies at the time. As it turned out, this approach became a magnet for attracting exceptional talent to join us.

Why did you decide to start with 14islands?

We didn’t feel like there were enough exceptional websites and digital products out there. Too many experiences were poorly designed and hard to use. We felt the need to sprinkle some magic onto the digital landscape and wanted to craft websites and products that were better not only for ourselves but for everyone out there. We envisioned experiences that are not only practical but also fun and inspiring to use.

What is the vision behind 14islands?

Our vision evolves around innovation, continuously challenging the limits of what can be achieved.

We seek fresh approaches to crafting products and experiences that are user-friendly and more efficient. Our commitment lies in making a positive impact, utilizing our skills and expertise to create meaningful connections between businesses and people. We aim to inspire by refusing to accept the ordinary and consistently striving for innovation.

How difficult was the start and which challenges you had to overcome?

In the early stages, we primarily focused on consulting work in development. While initially targeting design agencies, we eventually decided to venture into design ourselves, opening a dedicated department six years into the journey. This transition was not without its challenges but remaining in the safe zone limited growth opportunities. This shift also required a change in mindset. We not only needed to change our mindset but also our reputation, emphasizing our design capabilities rather than solely showcasing our previous development work. Transitioning from collaborations with agencies to direct client interactions also added complexity. Despite the initial lack of reputation in design, our commitment paid off with the recruitment of talented designers, contributing to our success.

Who is your target audience?

Our clientele is spread across a wide range of sectors, including FinTech, Sustainability, Education, Gaming, and HealthTech. We are here to help businesses seeking assistance with strategy, web or product design, development, app creation, or innovative tech solutions. We understand that every client, project, and situation is different, so we take a flexible approach to adapt and tailor our services to what our clients need.

What is the USP of your startup?

We are a human and friendly, global yet nimble studio with relentless craftsmanship but also a great dedication to UX and strategy. Rooted in the Nordic ethos, our dedication to a balanced work-life dynamic and a collaborative approach fosters creativity. As an example, we give our team members a 30-day summer vacation so that they can explore new destinations and, consequently, expand their perspectives and derive inspiration from diverse surroundings. This, in turn, fuels the creation of experiences that leave a lasting impact on our clients’ success stories.

Can you describe your typical workday?

My typical workday is dynamic, with a substantial amount of time devoted to communication and engaging with potential and existing clients. Effective planning is crucial for ensuring timely delivery and appropriate resource allocation. I actively participate in marketing efforts, and handle various administrative tasks. Overall, my focus leans towards the short term, consistently reviewing internal processes and fostering creativity to maintain a flexible and adaptive approach.

Where do you see yourself and your startup 14islands in five years?

Five years from now, I see 14islands continuing to offer comprehensive and creative solutions through the seamless integration of design and development while staying at the forefront of emerging technologies. Our focus remains on enhancing our skills, embracing new opportunities, and staying relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape. Rather than setting rigid long-term goals, we prefer to think short-term, consistently evaluating our strategies for effectiveness. We aspire to receive more awards and gain increased recognition globally as a brand that consistently delivers excellence.

What 3 tips would you give to founders?

Invest in internal culture and talent, because a strong team is the backbone of success.

Strive for excellence in your work. It’s not just about doing good; quality work is essential to standing out in a competitive market.

Be nimble in your approach. Starting small allows you to pivot when necessary, ensuring you have a solid foundation before expanding. Stability is crucial to becoming a reliable and enduring partner, especially for an agency.

Thank you Hjörtur Hilmarsson for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Use a CRM from Day 1

By

StartupValley

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11/16/2023

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EdenFiftyOne™ is the global B2B SaaS platform that promotes the 51 universal skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening within English language education

Please introduce yourself and your startup EdenFiftyOne to our readers!

My name is Tom Reynolds. I am a former [five-times] High School ‘Head of English’, assistant head teacher and UK Specialist Leader of Education [SLE] for the teaching, learning and assessment of English. I have worked in state education for two decades: specializing in the tuition of students [11-19] with differing educational needs; disadvantaged students of all abilities and backgrounds and students with English as an additional/ foreign language.

As a post-BA-diagnosed dyslexic, my ‘skill-by-skill’ approach to English education has helped students, teachers and schools across the country to raise their examination results to record levels. My success, within education, inspired me to start an edtech company.

EdenFiftyOne™ is the award-winning edtech platform that encapsulates my ‘step-by-step’ methodology: promoting a clear, logical and equitable approach to English language and literacy education that empowers teachers, engages learners and improves experience and outcomes.

How did you get the idea of EdenFiftyOne?

A few days after completing my English Language and Literature degree in Manchester, and at the age of 21, I was diagnosed as being dyslexic.

Two months later, I decided to train as an English teacher to see if I could ‘unlock’ and better-understand the teaching and learning process, in an attempt to improve the English education experience for others.

Over a 15-year period, I realised that the English teaching, learning and assessment process could be [and should be] more logical and structured. Having studied 100s of English exam board specifications [UK and international], I identified that there are only 51 universal skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening at the core of global English education. ‘The 51’ have been shared with teachers, leaders and English academics alike for the last six years. In this time, every one of those specialists has agreed that ‘the 51’ could under-pin the teaching, learning and assessment of English education, regardless of geographical location or exam-board specification.

Knowing that this approach could support the experience and outcomes of English education for teachers and learners across the world, I decided to leave my classroom career and focus on building an edtech platform that will transform English education.

Why did you decide to start with EdenFiftyOne?

Being diagnosed dyslexic right after finishing my studies opened my eyes to a lot of things and I finally found an explanation to all the difficulties I had faced throughout my education. I knew that I could help other students who struggle with the overloading nature of English education by finding a more logical and structured approach to this subject.

As I started working on the platform, I realised how much value it could add to the world of English education: supporting teachers, school leaders, parents, employers and those looking to access global opportunities.

What is the vision behind EdenFiftyOne?

We’re on an edtech mission to empower teachers, engage learners and improve the experience and outcomes of English education, supporting inclusive and equitable access to global opportunities for everyone, everywhere…

How difficult was the start and which challenges you had to overcome?

The hardest part was to do it alone. As a solo, non-technical founder, the greatest challenge is working alone and with limited resources. My advice to my former-self, and to others, currently working in similar positions, is to get out there as soon as possible.

You may not realise it when you first begin on your start-up journey, but there are a lot of people out there, who have not only been through something similar to the mission that you are about to embark on, but crucially, that many of those people are willing to share their resources, ideas and stories to help benefit you.

Whilst a limited number of these people may want to be ‘booked-in’ in order to charge an hourly-fee, and others may want an investor/equity role for their advice/support, in my experience, people who have been through it themselves, are really eager to help those coming after them. I wish I’d known this sooner and I will do my best to reach out to those coming after me.

Who is your target audience?

Our target audience is anyone who wishes to teach or learn the skills of English language reading, writing, speaking and listening in English language. We want to support schools, of course, but we also want to support individuals and adult learners. What is essential to our vision is that Edenfiftyone is an inclusive and equitable provision that serves a global community.

What is the USP of your startup?

There are 100s of English language exam boards – across the world – as examination/certification is big business. However, there are only 51 skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening at the core of the English language.

By promoting the 51 universal and permanent skills of the English language, the EFO™ platform is able to provide an unparalleled level of clarity and process.

Can you describe your typical workday?

Like most startup founders, my day probably starts earlier and finishes later than it used to when I was employed. I also often find myself working weekends and rarely taking holidays. I’m always aware that there is more I can do! However, more recently, I have tried to take more frequent breaks and my productivity has certainly increased. This is something I wish I had afforded myself before.

Where do you see yourself and your startup EdenFiftyOne in five years?

In 5 years’ time, I hope to be orchestrating Edenfiftyone’s exit. Whilst I’m passionate about remaining as part of its journey in the future, I’m happy for it to be in an advisory / honorary role.

What 3 tips would you give to founders?

The 3 things I wish someone told me when I started the business are:

1. ‘Hot-Desking’ beats ‘Working from Home’

Hot-desking in another tech start-up’s office has helped me to learn a lot of valuable lessons by osmosis: absorbing essential ‘start-up’ information by being in the right place to listen to the people/activities around me. Working-from-home has its advantages, of course, but for a solo-founder of a tech start-up, nothing beats being in the company of other like-minded teams and individuals as they straddle the challenges that you will have to face in time.

2. Attend Everything

Whilst the business is in its infancy, attend everything ‘start-up’ in your local eco-system: award ceremonies, fireside chats with guest speakers, competitions, talks, investor networking events and everything else. As above, you never know who you will meet/be introduced to whilst you are away from home and often, outside of your immediate comfort zone.

3. Use a CRM from Day 1

Record names, details and conversation-outlines with each and every person you meet at all times. Whilst they may not become ‘customers’ in their own right, keeping a record of who they are and what they do may help you to re-approach them in the future if you need a connection to someone who is not in your immediate network. Scanning though

‘Linked In’ contacts, phone numbers or email addresses is no substitute for having a designated place to record interactions that make it so much easier to refer to at a later stage.

Thank you Tom Reynolds for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Don’t shy away from monetizing your passion

By

StartupValley

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11/08/2023

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MovableType.ai, the AI-powered platform that acts as a silent co-creator throughout the journey from idea conception to book publication

Please introduce yourself and the Startup MovableType.ai to our readers!

I’m Sean Vosler, founder of MovableTyp.ai, the AI-powered platform that acts as a silent co-creator throughout the journey from idea conception to book publication. Our journey began this year with a mission to democratize the writing process by empowering users to bring their ideas to life.

My background as an author, whose main struggle wasn’t so much with “what to say”, but with “how to say it” (or, more specifically, how to structure it), led me down this path. Not only does MovableType.ai leverage AI to generate comprehensive non-fiction books from your big ideas, but ultimately, it serves as a writer’s companion, assisting with common challenges like writer’s block and automating time-consuming tasks such as research and structuring. We don’t seek to replace the craft of dedicated writers but rather to create a future where non-fiction story crafting is within reach for anyone passionate about sharing their ideas with the world.

Why did you decide to start a business?

As a published author with clinical ADHD, I am quite familiar with the uphill battle that many “neurodivergent” individuals face with traditional authorship processes. From having difficulties structuring ideas to struggling to plan, these factors can make the writing process seem almost impossible. Even worse, most people think there’s something wrong with them, as opposed to simply not understanding that the writing process is counterintuitive; it’s not something that comes naturally to most people.

I’m now, more than ever, a believer that these shouldn’t stop us from telling our stories, especially in the age of AI.

Traditionally, authorship was reserved for the privileged few. Whether lacking time, organization, or the financial means to hire someone to help (ghostwriters), multiple factors stop individuals from sharing their insights with the world. I started MovableType.ai because I wanted to change this. To that end, we aim to challenge conventional authorship norms by offering a starting point for those who might have valuable insights to share but, for reasons we’ve discussed, see the writing journey as an insurmountable one. I often wonder how many incredible stories, experiences, and insights have been lost simply because the ones who could share them didn’t have the means to.

There’s no doubt that AI makes the act of writing more accessible, ensuring that anyone with a story to tell can find the support and tools needed to share their insights with the world. We also hope to foster a more inclusive and diverse literary landscape, enabling non-traditional authors to put form to their big ideas.

What is the vision behind MovableType.ai?

We want to ensure that the gift of sharing big ideas with the world remains open to all, regardless of an individual’s background, abilities, or resources. Books aren’t the only means to accomplish this, but they’re undoubtedly one of the best.

In the writing process, AI plays the role of a silent co-creator, facilitating knowledge sharing and idea dissemination while also preserving the essence and authorship. That being said, we truly believe that AI-generated content without human interaction is not the ideal solution. The more involved an individual is during the creation process, the more it connects with both the author and the reader and, in the end, the higher the quality of the result. We believe that AI isn’t only a tool to generate content; it’s a guide that gives structure to the stories we already have.

From the idea to the start what have been the biggest challenges so far and how did you finance yourself?

Honestly, the toughest challenge has been educating others on the actual purpose of MovableType.ai. While the value of a tool like ours is clear to many in the startup space, many of those who would consider themselves authors hatethe idea of tools like MovableType.ai. That is before they understand what we really are.

Again, our goal is not to replace authors or professional writers but to enable those without the means or desire to become writers to have their voices heard. To give form to their ideas in a medium usually outside their means.

Financially speaking, I’m fortunate to have a published book that does well and frees up my time, so I can focus on projects like MovableType.ai. In addition to an amazing CEO who joined as a co-founder to help guide the ship, we have a passionate set of investors who came in at our seed round to help give us the means to bring in brilliant people to take this platform further.

Who is the target group of MovableType.ai?

MovableType.ai’s clientele is diverse but has one aspect in common: it consists of those who are inspired and aren’t afraid to leverage technology to bring their ideas to life.

Whether it’s subject-matter experts seeking to share their knowledge despite lacking writing skills, aspiring neurodivergent authors struggling with conventional thought structuring, or individuals simply wanting to share life experiences with a broader audience, MovableType.ai is not merely easing the writing process but is also redefining who gets to participate in it.

It’s not the established authors who stand to benefit the most from such a service (though, of course, it would save them lots of time) but rather those on the periphery of the publishing ecosystem—the ones with the potential to inject fresh, diverse perspectives into a domain historically gatekept by resource and skill barriers. Through features like personalized author personas that we create and comprehensive research support, the platform ensures that the content remains authentic and preserves the author’s voice and style.

How does MovableType.ai work? What are the advantages? What makes you different from other providers?

On the surface, MovableType.ai can transform a single idea into a comprehensive non-fiction book, simplifying the typically daunting process of starting a new writing project. However, this is just the final result. Based on the original idea, the platform creates a comprehensive book proposal that encompasses the essence of your idea. What makes MovableType.ai special is that it goes beyond creating; it strategizes. The platform develops a marketing plan encompassing the book’s target audience and strategies to reach it. Then, MovableType.ai conducts extensive research, gathering data to strengthen the foundation of the narrative.

Drawing from the user’s initial big idea and the intended audience, MovableType.ai then creates a detailed outline for the user’s review and approval. Upon approval, the platform proceeds to generate the initial manuscript, which spans over 30,000 words.

What truly makes MovableType.ai stand out is how it works hand in hand with users throughout the entire process. It’s not about AI taking over; it’s about technology acting as a catalyst for authors’ creativity.

MovableType.ai, where does the road go? Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, we envision MovableType.ai as a major force in democratizing authorship, offering advanced AI tools that cater to a range of specialized domains. With projects like ‘Memory Capture’ (interactive audio interviews), ‘Book to Podcast Series’, and ‘Book to Courses’, the platform aims to extend its reach beyond book publishing into multimedia, particularly audio storytelling. MovableType.ai will be the go-to platform for a diverse array of users, from thought leaders to industry experts, who seek to share their knowledge across various formats. We want to change the way that stories are created and enjoyed so that anyone who wants to effectively communicate their ideas can do so, no matter their background in writing or their preferred medium.

At the end: which three tips would you give to future founders?

If you’re building a tool on top of another technology, like OpenAI, don’t just think about feature enhancements; think about real-world applications. If you’re just an enhancement, you risk the platform itself releasing a new feature that makes your product obsolete overnight.

Partner with someone who understands finance and business structure, not just someone you like. They will keep you out of trouble as you grow.

Don’t shy away from monetizing your passion, but ensure you’re pragmatic about how you monetize it. I love writing and I have a problem that I know how to help with, so I make a tool that solves that problem. It’s a passion project, but the pragmatic side of the argument is understanding that you will need to be diligent in building an actual business around it.

Thank you Sean Vosler for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Know your customer and prioritize customer-centricity

By

StartupValley

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11/01/2023

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Realoq marketplace and technology platform that effortlessly bridges the gap between B2C and B2B

Please introduce yourself and your startup Realoq to our readers?

Hello, I’m Anvesh Chakravartula, the founder and CEO of Realoq. Founded in 2023, Realoq is a multi-sided marketplace and unified technology platform that effortlessly bridges the gap between B2C (buyers and sellers) and B2B (real estate agents and mortgage brokers/lenders).

The Realoq marketplace platform seamlessly integrates four essential features: Listings, Buy, Sell, and Mortgage. We are driven by a customer-centric approach that underpins our commitment to revolutionize the real estate ecosystem. At Realoq, we are dedicated to pioneering innovation in the real estate industry, with a resolute focus on enhancing and empowering the experiences of homebuyers, sellers, and service providers through our unified, collaborative, and transparent platform, products, and services.

Why did you decide to start a business?

Since my formative years, I have harbored a passion for the real estate industry, coupled with an unwavering drive to innovate, problem-solve, and effect positive change. As I matured, it became evident that each facet of the real estate transaction process operated in a fragmented and disjointed manner, lacking uniformity and a centralized approach. It was this recognition that ignited my vision to establish a unified technology platform for the real estate sector – one that seamlessly integrates all components under one roof. This vision led to the creation of Realoq.

What is the vision behind Realoq?

The vision behind Realoq is to pioneer the way in developing a comprehensive, technology-driven multi-sided marketplace. Our aim is to simplify and elevate every facet of the real estate buying and selling experience for all our customers.

From the idea to the start, what have been the biggest challenges so far and how did you finance yourself?

Drawing on my professional background in technology, and experience as a seasoned real estate investor, I have seen the gaps in the current real estate market and transaction process model (that includes buying, selling, and working with real estate agents and mortgage lenders). As a result of my analysis and a foresight on the market trends, I identified the opportunity for a multi-sided marketplace and this made me decide to start Realoq that connects B2C and B2B customers.

Starting a new company is definitely exciting yet challenging. As a startup founder, I face a lot of difficulties and need to take up and resolve daunting tasks. The first challenge being market validation where I need to determine the product market fit and ensure a genuine demand for my product and services. The next most important step in this journey is securing funding – reaching out to potential investors and managing cash flow.

Then the utmost crucial step is to bring the vision to life by devising a solid business plan, building the right team, technology planning, implementation and execution. With this comes the regulations and compliance that we need to follow and adhere to.

And I’m a father of two, so balancing my personal life with the demands of running a startup is sometimes challenging but my family has been extremely supportive and I am thankful and grateful to them.

These arduous times are part of any entrepreneurial journey and overcoming them step by step, with hard work, willpower, and determination helped us reach the milestones and achieve the broader goal.

Who is your target audience?

The target audience in the B2C category include home buyers and sellers, mortgage shoppers and real estate investors. In the B2B category it includes real estate agents and brokers, as well as mortgage lenders. Considering the scope, the plan is to include the commercial and rental property market.

How does Realoq work? What are the advantages? What makes you different from other providers?

Realoq operates as a multi-sided marketplace and unified technology platform designed to facilitate real estate transactions. Our approach is centered around connecting consumers, including homebuyers and sellers, with service providers, which can include real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and lenders.

The advantages of our platform are multifaceted. First and foremost, we streamline the real estate transaction process, making it smoother and more efficient. By bringing together the right team of professionals and leveraging technology and process improvements, we create a collaborative environment that benefits all parties involved.

What sets Realoq apart from other providers is our dedication to providing a unified and transparent platform. We place a strong emphasis on customer-centricity, ensuring that our users have access to a comprehensive and seamless real estate experience. This commitment to innovation and integration distinguishes us in the real estate technology landscape.

Realoq, where does the road go? Where do you see yourself in five years?

Over the next five years, my primary objective is to steer Realoq toward significant growth, while also solidifying a sustainable business model. This expansion encompasses broadening our operations, customer base, and market reach. Additionally, we intend to forge strategic partnerships, cement our position as a recognizable brand, achieve profitability, and attract and retain top talent. Furthermore, fostering a positive company culture, staying adaptable to industry trends, and emerging as a market leader are all integral aspects of our vision for the future.

What 3 tips would you give other Start-up founders on the way?

Validate your idea before scaling and maintain a clear value proposition for your product or service. Know your customer and prioritize customer-centricity. Build a strong and diverse team.

These tips are just a starting point. The entrepreneurial journey is filled with challenges and opportunities, so staying adaptable, open to learning, and committed to your vision is crucial. To be successful, you have to be a dreamer and a doer. While both qualities are important, balance is key. Too much dreaming without action can lead to unfulfilled potential, while excessive doing without a clear vision can result in aimless effort. There will certainly be times where you would need to step away from your comfort zone to get to the finish line.

Thank you Anvesh Chakravartula for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

How to train people for jobs in the AI industry

By

StartupValley

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10/31/2023

0

Artificial intelligence has yielded a lot of new jobs. This requires that people are getting trained for these. But what does it need? How can people be trained for AI jobs? And which are the new jobs?

How employees can be trained

For already existing jobs, employees should grapple with ChatGPT as well as other AI tools. What are the possibilities, and what are the boundaries? A certain comprehension of the new technology and how it works is indispensable. It is profitable to learn how exactly a prompt need to be framed so that optimal results can be achieved. A prompt is the command which one enters in ChatGPT.

Furthermore, one should become aware of the boundaries of such data models. So about that, what is not possible (yet). ChatGPT for example, can not access live data. That means, the chatbot is not able to give an answer if you ask for the current date. But there are plug-ins with which one can conduct internet searches.

To build comprehension for artificial intelligence, it should be scheduled in the executive floor. The boss can prepare examples for the staff regarding the results you can generate with AI. If a company e.g. creates scripts, prompts can be specified. These show what one can enter into the AI and how the results can be optimized afterward. This shows the staff how processes can look like if it is worked with artificial intelligence.

Namely, for AI jobs also creativity is needed. Eventually one has to think about fitting prompts. And an intuition for the new technology has to be existent. But this is created normally automatically if one is grappling with it. Also, you should inform about which new tools there are again and again. ChatGPT indeed is one of the most popular right now, but there are many more, for example Jasper. Jasper likewise is a text generator with which one can create even more comprehensive texts. Overall, it should be ascertained which tools can be used best to get the best results for the exercises which have to be done.

Last, artificial intelligence should not be seen as a panacea for everything. The technology has as already mentioned its boundaries and not a solution for everything. Also, wrong results can emerge. Because of this, it is always essential to scrutinize and countercheck the results. For this, the AI can be asked for the used sources. Then these can be verified if they are really existent as well as high-quality and reliable.

New jobs due to AI

Also, because of AI a lot of new jobs are emerging. The fact is that artificial intelligence lives of data. These data have to be settled and enriched anywhere, so that the tools can be trained with it. Jobs are emerging on the places where business data or science data have to be processed. Thereby, the point is to validate the results. That means, to discover if the AI produces correct results which are true. Because many AI tools are not yet trained to see the difference between real information and fake news. The job title for this is data analyst or data scientist.

Besides, jobs like the prompt designer or prompt engineer are developed. Some companies already made employment ads for these. The work consists in creating appropriate commands for e.g. ChatGPT. Here especially, creativity as well as affinity for technology is in demand. Simultaneously, the applicant has to have the ability to work strategic, structured and solution-focused. Because for the prompts, it depends particularly on the right wording.

Above, also jobs like online marketing manager in the realm SEO, digital learning manager and AI manager are found in the job fair nowadays.

Author:

Maximilian Schmidt is CEO of the CPI Technologies GmbH. The company is specialized in software development in the areas artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital product development.

https://cpitech.io/de/

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Never stop building a great team

By

Sabine Elsässer

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10/27/2023

0

Mika is a certified medical product for cancer patients, offering a personalized app and holistic platform for therapy support.

Please introduce yourself and your startup Mika to our readers!

We are a young company dedicated to empowering people affected by cancer. Our team is a highly motivated collection of interdisciplinary healthcare enthusiasts, consisting of psychologists, physicians, software developers, and designers, among others.

Mika is an evidence-based certified medical product for cancer patients and supports those affected with a personalized app and holistic platform throughout their therapy. Cancer patients and their relatives are accompanied during the time of illness and treatment to better cope with the challenges in this difficult phase – with relevant guidance and coaching programs on symptom management, nutrition, sports, resilience/mental health, financial and legal aspects and many more.

How did you get the idea of Mika?

In our private environment we have experienced how difficult it is for patients and their relatives to deal with the disease. There is also a large body of evidence-based approaches that positively contribute to cancer outcomes but the majority of it is hidden in academic papers and not actionable for patients. At the same time, we firmly believe that digital support can improve cancer therapy – and our latest clinical research confirms that.

Why did you decide to start with Mika?

Starting a company was the ideal way for us to combine entrepreneurial action with real added value for people. I strongly believe that a market-oriented approach in this is the right way to develop and scale truly innovative solutions that have the potential to changes people’s lives and healthcare reality.

What is the vision behind Mika?

We want to support patients in taking an active role in their therapy to improve quality of life and therapy outcomes. We want all those affected to feel truly accompanied in their daily life living with cancer. In the long term, we aim to be an integral part of oncological care – and to contribute to better survival rates and treatment outcomes in oncology.

How difficult was the start and which challenges you had to overcome?

As a Digital Health company, we face specific challenges. Our medical product is subject to specific regulations that also affect our development processes. Other issues include the long “sales cycles” in healthcare, for example, when working with health insurance companies, and building teams of Digital Health specialists. Since we started, the interest and understanding in the investor domain has significantly developed. Scaling from a German national brand and product offering to an international presence serving patients now in the UK and in 2024 in the US and other EU countries also adds an additional layer of complexity.

Who is your target audience?

All people affected by cancer – patients and relatives. We especially support the phase from diagnosis throughout the entire therapy. Mika is available for all types of cancer, treatment or stages. We also receive a lot of positive feedback from our users and see corresponding metrics in their usage of the Mika platform. Patients tell us that Mika gives them motivation and hope during therapy and that they can better assess and deal with symptoms and challenges of a life with cancer.

What is the USP of your startup?

First, traction: Mika has served >100.000 cancer patients and has therefore unique insights into realities and challenges that patients face. This traction has also allowed us to train proprietary machine-learning algorithms to recommend the right content and intervention at the right time to the right patient which has resulted in significant increase in engagement and ultimately, clinical evidence. Secondly, Mika has the largest and strongest body of clinical evidence in our domain (oncology focused digital therapeutics) based on several randomized-controlled clinical trials. These studies have proven the impact of Mika on the treatment outcomes for patients and provide trust by patients, doctors, nurses and our partners in the healthcare ecosystem.

Can you describe your typical workday?

In a remote setting, the typical workday consists of several calls both internally (solving urgent issues, updates on ongoing projects, investors/ board) and externally (fundraising, potential partner institutions across healthcare and internationally) as well as some time blocked for strategic thinking and discussions – mainly with members of the leadership team.

For the in-office days, I try to spend time with team as many members as I can to understand their challenges and perspective but also convey my thinking. Building and leading teams in a hybrid working mode post-Covid is no easy task and we closely watch team dynamics and happiness. I also try to get inspiration from outside the company and have frequent interactions with other companies in the healthcare domain and beyond. It is a marathon but in many disciplines at the same time.

Where do you see yourself and your startup Mika in five years?

We continue to build on our position as globally leading player in our field and want to expand to additional markets and aim for deeper integration with healthcare partners such as hospital networks. We measure progress along various KPIs but at the end of the day the foundation for our success comes down to impacting as many people as possible with the best possible impact on their lives with cancer.

What 3 tips would you give to founders?

Never stop building a great team.
Gain clarity on your commercial model as soon as possible.
Find a balance of personal and professional life early on.

Picture Credits Viktor Strasse

Thank you Dr. Gandolf Finke and Dr. Jan Simon Raue for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

ChatGPT can now speak, hear and see

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StartupValley

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10/27/2023

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The development of artificial intelligence does not come to an end. The popular text generator ChatGPT has new functions now: It can hear, speak and see. But was exactly does that mean? How do the new features look like and what other functions are possible in the future?

The new functions

That ChatGPT can hear is already possible since a certain amount of time because of API (application programming interfaces). API works like a digital arbiter. This conducts information from one interface, e.g. an app, to another. With the new auditory function, the prompts can get entered directly via voice command and do not have to get keyboarded. The voice recognition follows here by Whisper. This is a reliable system for the conversion from speech into text.

The language function of ChatGPT is a bit newer. This works similar to e.g. Google Assistant. Therefore, it is possible to carry a conversation with the chatbot, even when these still proceed clipped. Though, a more interactive use is possible like this. When a voice command is given, it is also answered with voice. Therefor OpenAI has consulted professional dubbers. One has the choice out of five different voices. And the language function renders one more option. Blind people as well as people with dyslexia are able to directly get the texts read aloud and don’t need an extra program for that.

The visual function enables that ChatGPT can conduct imagine analysis from now on. Therefor one uploads one or more pictures and marks p. r. n. the area which should be analyzed. For example, this can help kids with homework. They can make a picture from the exercise and get support from the artificial intelligence.

This facilitates the lives of the parents who work in home office and simultaneously want to help their children. The results can be explained subsequently by the chatbot and discussed with it. So adaptions can be made faster and more easily. Also, the own fridge can be photographed and uploaded in the app for example, if one does not know what to cook. Then ChatGPT vomits a fitting recipe quickly.

More possibilities

With the new features, we can expect some more extensions in the future. Conceivable is that also spoken content, e.g. YouTube videos, can be heard and seen by the chatbot and get processed afterward. This would make the corpus even bigger and the results more valuable.

The conversations which can be carried on by ChatGPT do not proceed fluently yet. However, one can expect that this circumstance will amend quickly. So we soon can have conversations with the chatbot in real-time, like with the language assistants Siri from Apple and Alexa from Amazon.

Such language assistants have been taken kindly in the past and are used regularly since then. This shows that the language function also can be worthwhile for ChatGPT. In the future, it can be called into action in sales as well as in the customer service.

Beyond, it is possible that the AI soon will recognize and assess emotions. This would cause that the prompts are received even better and the texts can be issued more precisely. These will correspond the notions more and emotions can get included.

Conclusion

ChatGPT already helps us in many situations. The artificial intelligence produces texts of every description as desired. Through the new language and auditive function, the application underway is even more easily and faster.

Furthermore, it facilitates handicapped people the life. The visual function whereas can especially be supportive in everyday family life. In the future, we can expect more helpful functions on the basis of the new features. The AI program can be a huge advantage which should be used today. Especially when solutions for problems are needed quickly, the chatbot can be a good help.

Author:

Maximilian Schmidt is CEO of the CPI Technologies GmbH. The company is specialized in software development in the areas artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital product development.

https://cpitech.io/de/

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Look forward: learn by your mistakes and look forward

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StartupValley

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10/26/2023

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Bikeflip is the go-to platform to buy and sell bicycles of any kind in Germany, Austria and Italy

Please introduce yourself and your startup Bikeflip to our readers!

Hi everyone! I’m Andrea Maranelli, a professional cyclist from Italy. Together with Wibmer Fabio and Nikolai Holder I co-founded Bikeflip. Bikeflip is the go-to platform to buy and sell bicycles of any kind in Germany, Austria and Italy. We launched the website in April 2022 and now there are more than 15.000 used & new bikes for sale.

How did you get the idea of Bikeflip?

Fabio and I kept receiving messages asking where to securely buy second-hand bicycles. Moreover, my father has a car dealership. Thanks to him I did understand how important a website such as Autoscout24 is for the car industry. I was impressed that nothing similar existed in the bike sector.

Why did you decide to start with Bikeflip?

We decided to create Bikeflip because we wanted to make the process of buying and selling bikes easier. This is true especially for the market of second-hand bikes. On a personal level, we decided to start Bikeflip because as athletes it is always good to start new and different projects, especially in the same field of application of your sport.

What is the vision behind Bikeflip?

The vision behind Bikeflip is to become the European go-to platform to buy and sell bicycles. We aim to let more and more people riding bikes and we do believe that bicycles are the future of mobility. In todays’ environment, second-hand is a trend and a must for our planet. This is why we, at Bikeflip, aim to make them more accessible by creating a functional second-hand marketplace specifically and exclusively dedicated to bicycles.

How difficult was the start and which challenges you had to overcome?

Out of 10? 10! The main challenge we faced was to get our idea to reality: we knew we wanted to develop such a project, but we did not have idea where to start from.

Who is your target audience?

Our target audience are passionate cyclist of any kind: from mountain bikers to road cyclists and e-bikes riders.

What is the USP of your startup?

Buying and selling bicycles has never been that easy and safe! Bikeflip guarantees payments, shippings and free returns in case the purchased bike differs from the selling ad.

Can you describe your typical workday?

As a “startupper”, it is hard to defy and describe a “typical workday” since there are new challenges every day. I would say that the challenge is not to overwork since there are enough tasks to work 24/7. I get to the office around 7.45 am, I go home for a pasta at 1pm and then go back to the office until 6 or 7pm. After work I do go for a bike ride, or for a gym session. During the working hours I’m discussing ideas and projects with my colleagues, jumping from one call to another one.

Where do you see yourself and your startup Bikeflip in five years?

We do hope and believe that Bikeflip will be established as the reference platform to buy and sell bicycles in Europe. By knowing myself, I will still be busy thinking about new projects, riding bicycles, and hopefully travelling the world!

What 3 tips would you give to founders?

Never give up: probably the most obvious one, but still needed to be mentioned. Founding a startup is a hard challenge: the amount of different task that a founder has to manage is huge, from developing the product to pitching the idea to investors. It is a never-ending learning process and sometimes it might feel as if it is too stressful.
Look forward: learn by your mistakes and look forward. It is completely normal to make mistakes and to pivot some of the ideas. The key is to keep looking forward, searching for solutions or alternatives without losing precious time.
Believe in it: as a founder, you are the load-bearing pillar of your company. You need to keep believing in your project, motivating your employees and demonstrating any stakeholder how motivated you are and how much you believe in your idea.

Thank you Andrea Maranelli for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Premium Start-up: Bikeflip

Contact:

Bikeflip
Piazza della Manifattura 1
Rovereto
Italy

www.bikeflip.com
hi@bikeflip.com

contact person: Andrea Maranelli

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Identify the problem you intend to resolve

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StartupValley

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10/19/2023

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Wiremind optimization solutions for transport and events

Please introduce yourself and your startup Wiremind to our readers!

Hi there, I’m Colin, the CEO and co-founder of Wiremind. Together with my associate Charles Pierre, we established Wiremind in 2014.

As the CEO, I lead Wiremind’s overall strategy and vision to make sure they are in line with our company’s goals. I also remain closely involved in the product development cycles as I want to contribute to the enhancement and innovation of our offerings.

Wiremind is a tech company that works with B2C businesses in the transportation and entertainment sectors to digitize and optimise their commercial offerings. From assisting our passenger transportation clients in filling their trains, buses, or aircrafts with passengers to enabling our freight customers to optimise their cargo capacity or supporting our sports and entertainment clients in filling stadiums and concert halls, we achieve all of this while maximising our clients’ revenue while having full capacities.

We achieve these results with a great focus on employing advanced Artificial Intelligence technology, but also through prioritising the design of our products to deliver smooth experiences to our customers while also handling large amounts of data.

How did you get the idea of Wiremind?

My early industry experience stemmed from working in pricing & revenue management departments, where I gained valuable insights into the transportation industry and its respective set of challenges. This is also where I met Charles and where I became aware of IT infrastructure being dated and Revenue Managers relying on rigid and disjointed operating systems to conduct their daily activities, which later influenced my decision to co-found Wiremind.

Simply put, we wanted to find a way to leverage advanced Deep Learning technology and great UI/UX to deliver seamless user experiences while processing large amounts of data. This in a bid to maximise operations for Revenue Managers and other key systems managers in transport.

Expanding from there, we’ve applied our expertise to a diverse range of projects, from optimising bus company revenues to forecasting passenger demand in the railway sector to managing air cargo capacity for airlines and optimising ticket sales for football clubs.

Why did you decide to start with Wiremind?

Charles and I founded Wiremind because we recognised an opportunity to develop an entirely new Revenue Management ecosystem by leveraging the latest software and artificial intelligence technologies.

For instance, this could provide analysts with a sense of empowerment, akin to being a skilled aircraft pilot equipped with an incredible engine to navigate and manage business operations. This was our vision and, thanks to our industry expertise and an incredible team, we managed to make this come alive and build the software.

Over the years, our aim has been to continuously innovate. Shifting from an exclusive focus on transportation to diversifying into other industries, and from a primary focus on Revenue Management to a wider array of product offerings, our journey has been marked by continuous expansion. Now, we offer ticketing and distribution solutions that are fully integrated into the same ecosystem, simplifying and optimising the commercial offering.

What is the vision behind Wiremind?

Our vision is rooted in transforming traditional IT landscapes. Conventional setups often suffer from fragmentation, with numerous systems operating independently, posing challenges for administrators when it comes to management and the implementation of commercial innovations. Our objective was clear: achieve maximum passenger capacity on all departures while maintaining competitive pricing. In the end, this is what optimisation is all about.

By reducing complexities, enhancing integration, and optimising maintenance processes, we envision a future where businesses can navigate their IT environment with ease, unlocking greater potential for growth and advancement.

How difficult was the start and which challenges you had to overcome?

Without the need for fundraising, Wiremind was established and grew by focusing on its product and expertise. However, it was a challenging start as we were considered a small company, competing with industry giants.

Recognising the challenges posed by our competition, we embarked on a strategic diversification journey with competition tracking, for example. Our primary objective was twofold: to foster the growth of our company and to carve out a distinct and resilient identity within the market.

Who is your target audience?

Our target audiences can be grouped into three distinct categories, each aligning with our different product offerings. These categories encompass passenger transportation, air cargo, and entertainment. Be it airline operators, concert halls, or freight forwarders, user experience is our utmost priority.

What is the USP of your startup?

We could divide our differentiators into four points. Firstly, we have strong industry expertise, and our background in transport and logistics allows us to speak the same language as our customers and understand their needs. Then, we are focused on the user experience and product culture. We aim to create products with great designs and seamless workflows. For that to be possible and deliver full value, we believe that algorithms should be properly rendered to the user.

Thirdly, technological advancements are another one of our advantages. With full-stack proficiency, we possess comprehensive knowledge spanning software, data, artificial intelligence, and more. Most importantly, we know how to combine everything together into great solutions that achieve remarkable results. Lastly, our commitment towards performance sets us apart: we commit, we deliver, and we do it fast.

Can you describe your typical workday?

No workday ever looks the same. As CEO, there’s a lot of different internal teams I need to drive – our product teams, the marketing team, the financial department, etc. – so I prioritise spending efficient time on meeting with everyone. I have optimised my agenda structure on a 2-week rolling meeting structure, where I see all my team leaders on a regular basis, addressing all topics, with sufficient spare time to work on all topics which require my attention or contribution. I target two default meetings per day, and the rest of the day is spent on focus time or ad-hoc meetings. This also gives me sufficient time with external parties I need to check-in with, for example long-term partners or potential new customers.

Where do you see yourself and your startup Wiremind in five years?

As a company, our current focus is on scaling up and consolidating our assets to ensure they are sustainable for the long term. Specifically, we are working towards building self-sufficient, all-in-one ecosystems. This is particularly true for our distribution systems, which are integral to our clients’ commercial offerings and must seamlessly integrate with our other products.

In the upcoming years, we will keep focusing on improving our products and introducing new solutions to the industries we serve. This has always been a priority for us, and I genuinely believe that this is also the reason behind our success.

In parallel, we’ll keep adapting according to our growth by adjusting our organisation and processes and investing more in brand awareness. Our overarching goal is to be recognised globally as a leading provider of Distribution and Optimisation solutions for B2C transport and event companies.

Which 3 tips would you give to future founders?

1. Identify the problem you intend to resolve: Successful businesses often stem from a genuine dedication to solving real-world problems. When your company’s mission revolves around problem-solving, you not only find a strong sense of purpose but also enhance your prospects of creating something valuable and long-lasting. In my case, founding a company was not my goal but rather a means to build the type of product that I had in mind to solve the problems that I observed, and then everything derived from that.

2. Prioritise innovation & quality: Make innovation and unwavering commitment to quality the foundation of your business. These principles will not only set you apart from the competition, but they will also keep you motivated in the long run.

3. Maintain long-term motivation: To stay motivated through the inevitable highs and lows, ensure that your business aligns with your deepest goals and values.

Thank you Colin Girault-Matz for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Continuously expand your knowledge and skills

By

StartupValley

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10/09/2023

0

Driving the Hospitality Industry with BonApp: A Startup Story

Please introduce yourself and your startup BonApp to our readers!

BonApp is not just another startup; its mission is to transform the hospitality industry, making it a more customer-centric, efficient, and stress-free experience for restaurant owners and their customers. BonApp seeks to create more of those moments where people can savour a drink or a meal and escape the busy reality to live dreamy moments with friends and family. The founder, Genevieve Sykes, has a diverse background encompassing psychology, neuroscience, accounting, and nutrition, along with a career in two prestigious big four firms in accounting and forensic consulting, her expertise uniquely positions her to pioneer this innovative venture.

How did you get the idea of BonApp?

Have you ever been to a music festival and found yourself missing out on fantastic performances due to never-ending queues for drinks and food? Or perhaps you’ve been to a restaurant, in a rush, and the slow service left you frustrated? These relatable scenarios served as the spark that ignited the idea behind BonApp. It’s a user-friendly web app that empowers customers to take control of their dining experience, ensuring they enjoy the best possible service.

Why did you decide to start ?

The decision to launch BonApp was fueled by Genevieve’s personal experiences as a customer. She saw an opportunity to create a solution that not only streamlined operations for hospitality businesses but also drastically improved the overall customer experience. To turn this vision into a reality, she delved deep into the world of hospitality management, ensuring BonApp offered flexibility and adaptability to meet the ever-changing needs of the service industry.

What is the vision behind ?

BonApp’s vision is crystal clear: revolutionize the hospitality industry by providing a comprehensive POS system that empowers businesses to boost their revenues, reduce staffing needs, and enhance customer satisfaction. By offering QR code ordering and payment, the web application transforms how customers interact with restaurants, bars, and food trucks, delivering a seamless and highly personalized hospitality experience.

How difficult was the start and which challenges you had to overcome?

The journey of launching a startup is never a smooth ride. While BonApp was fortunate to secure seed funding and assemble a stellar team early on, it still encountered its fair share of hurdles. These included staying on target with feature development, learning the intricacies of the hospitality world, and overcoming skepticism from industry experts about the digitalization of services. Nevertheless, with unwavering determination, resilience, and a clear vision, Genevieve and her team brought BonApp to life, ultimately convincing the hospitality experts of the value of innovation and change.

Who is your target audience?

BonApp’s target audience is impressively diverse, catering to a wide spectrum of businesses within the hospitality industry. From restaurants, bars, and cafes to food trucks, clubs, festivals, business fairs, and hotels, BonApp aims to elevate the customer experience across the board. Whether a small local eatery or a large chain, BonApp has something to offer.

What is the USP of your startup?

What sets BonApp apart is its holistic approach to POS systems for restaurant establishments. With QR code ordering and payment options, comprehensive statistics of customer behaviour, and a user-friendly interface that is intuitive. BonApp provides an all-encompassing solution for businesses looking to thrive in a rapidly evolving hospitality industry. Its ability to help increase sales, reduce staffing requirements, and enhance customer satisfaction truly sets BonApp apart from our competitors.

Can you describe your typical workday ?

In a start-up environment, no day is the same. A typical day for Genevieve encompasses a blend of strategic planning, fine-tuning the sales strategy, inter-team collaboration, constant evaluation of product strategy, and meeting potential customers for product demos. From refining the web application features to exploring new partnership opportunities, each day brings the startup closer to realizing its vision. With partnerships already established, including notable entities such as EHL (Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne) and HotellerieSuisse, BonApp is experiencing rapid growth.

Where do you see yourself and your startup BonApp in five years?

In five years, BonApp envisions itself as the go-to solution for the entire hospitality industry. With a global presence, serving countless businesses and customers across multiple countries, the company aspires to lead the way in redefining how people dine, order, and enjoy hospitality services. Exclusive features in the pipeline promise to set BonApp apart from other POS systems, making it an exciting prospect for both businesses and customers.

What 3 tips would you give to founders?

Stay Passionate: The entrepreneurial journey can be challenging, but it’s your passion for your idea that will sustain you through the highs and lows. Embrace the adventure and believe in your vision, your team, and your abilities.

Embrace Learning: Continuously expand your knowledge and skills. Adaptability and versatility are essential in the startup world. Be open to refining your ideas to fit the current and future market while staying true to your core goals.

Build a Strong Team: Surround yourself with talented individuals who share your vision and complement your skills. A cohesive, positive, determined, and efficient team is vital for success.

In conclusion, BonApp exemplifies innovation and determination in the startup landscape. With a visionary founder at the helm and a unique solution poised to redefine the hospitality industry, BonApp is primed to make a lasting impact, enhancing dining and entertainment experiences for all. Stay tuned on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay updated with our progress.

Thank you Genevieve Sykes for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

14islands is a Nordic-rooted design and technology studio, dedicated to crafting digital experiences that blend technology with creativity for enhanced user enjoyment and inspiration

Please introduce yourself and your startup 14islands to our readers!

How did you get the idea of 14islands?

Why did you decide to start with 14islands?

What is the vision behind 14islands?

How difficult was the start and which challenges you had to overcome?

Who is your target audience?

What is the USP of your startup?

Can you describe your typical workday?

Where do you see yourself and your startup 14islands in five years?

What 3 tips would you give to founders?

EdenFiftyOne™ is the global B2B SaaS platform that promotes the 51 universal skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening within English language education

MovableType.ai, the AI-powered platform that acts as a silent co-creator throughout the journey from idea conception to book publication

Please introduce yourself and the Startup MovableType.ai to our readers!

Why did you decide to start a business?

What is the vision behind MovableType.ai?

From the idea to the start what have been the biggest challenges so far and how did you finance yourself?

Who is the target group of MovableType.ai?

How does MovableType.ai work? What are the advantages? What makes you different from other providers?

MovableType.ai, where does the road go? Where do you see yourself in five years?

At the end: which three tips would you give to future founders?

Realoq marketplace and technology platform that effortlessly bridges the gap between B2C and B2B

Please introduce yourself and your startup Realoq to our readers?

Why did you decide to start a business?

From the idea to the start, what have been the biggest challenges so far and how did you finance yourself?

Who is your target audience?

How does Realoq work? What are the advantages? What makes you different from other providers?

Realoq, where does the road go? Where do you see yourself in five years?

What 3 tips would you give other Start-up founders on the way?

Artificial intelligence has yielded a lot of new jobs. This requires that people are getting trained for these. But what does it need? How can people be trained for AI jobs? And which are the new jobs?

Mika is a certified medical product for cancer patients, offering a personalized app and holistic platform for therapy support.

The development of artificial intelligence does not come to an end. The popular text generator ChatGPT has new functions now: It can hear, speak and see. But was exactly does that mean? How do the new features look like and what other functions are possible in the future?

Bikeflip is the go-to platform to buy and sell bicycles of any kind in Germany, Austria and Italy

Premium Start-up: Bikeflip

Contact:

Wiremind optimization solutions for transport and events

Driving the Hospitality Industry with BonApp: A Startup Story

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