Background

加文·普林格尔 开始 JAKAPA as an edtech startup that provides a gamified, scientifically-proven methodology to measure, train, 跟踪软技能. JAKAPA 提供实时反馈, 真实的学习, 以及可操作的见解, allowing individuals and groups in schools and workplaces to build the skills they need to succeed. 

然而，和许多初创公司一样， JAKAPA faced challenges validating its customer focus and fundraising strategy. As a first-time founder, Gavin relocated from Cape Girardeau to St. Louis in July 2022 after he learned of the area's rich and growing startup ecosystem. Gavin approached the Duree Center for 企业家hip (DCE) for support while applying for the 拱拨款 程序.  拱拨款是 a prestigious 程序 offering funding and support to early-stage startups desiring to establish businesses in St. 路易斯,密苏里州. 

导师的影响

DCE把Gavin介绍给 Pravina Pindoria, an experienced entrepreneur (founder of workflow automation SAAS, Tallyfy) with a pulse on industry trends and a passion for supporting startups.

EIR Pravina Pindoria's successful impacts on JAKAPA:

• Secured grants: Secured grants, including the prestigious Arch grants ($75K) and UMSL Accelerate competition ($50K).
• Raised angel pre-seed funding: Over $250K in an angel pre-seed round.
• Increased revenue: A remarkable 230% increase in year-on-year revenue.
• Growth in paying users: A 45% increase in paying users within ten months.
• Customer acquisition: Jimmy Johns, 艾克的爱和三明治, SLU, 巴拿马皇后学院, STL帽, 凯洛学院, McKendree大学, 和都柏林学区.
• Validation of customer focus: Pravina helped validate customer focus, ensuring alignment with market demand and revenue potential, honing in on schools as an initial target market.
• Implementation of automation: Pravina's expertise in startup automation resulted in increased 运营效率 and streamlined processes.
• Revenue diversification: Pravina's 指导 enabled exploration of adjacent revenue-generating ideas such as educator administration and parent support.
• Mentoring and insights from other 程序s: Through DCE's MentorUP and ITEN's Velocity pre-accelerator 程序s, Gavin gained valuable product development, 以用户为中心的设计, B2B销售, and customer discovery insights from mentors 辛普利, 杰森·阿什顿, 艾米丽·海明威 and 全球之声弗里曼.

These outcomes demonstrate the tangible impact of the EIR 程序 and Pravina's mentorship on JAKAPA's growth, revenue, 获取客户, 运营效率, 战略决策.

证明

“加入DCE, a game-changing entrepreneurship community, has been instrumental for JAKAPA, 作为支持, 指导, and invaluable network provided by the EIR 程序, especially through mentors like Pravina, 使我们成功. I encourage startups to join DCE to thrive in a vibrant ecosystem, while urging professionals and former founders to consider mentoring to pay it forward and support the next generation of entrepreneurs."

加文·普林格尔

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