I'm looking to share the upcoming years of my life with somebody building tools that add value to society in an equal, co-founding relationship. 50/50. I'm open to any and all prospective opportunities (as finding a co-founder isn't a case of filling a job description) but the optimum complimentary skill-set would be that of a growth expect: Someone that can "growth hack" for quick wins but also develop and execute long-term growth strategies involving marketing, Ad campaigns, strategic partnerships, optimising SEO and conversion funnels etc.
I can't say exactly where the road will take us, given every established entrepreneur recognises your end product rarely looks exactly as you envision from the outset, but here is the base I'm proposing we work from...
Extravaganza is an online marketplace for the live entertainment industry. AirBnB for live entertainment. It works exactly as you suspect: Entertainers sign up and create a profile showcasing their services. Buyers (typically event planners) browse the available services and send booking enquiries. Together they communicate, sign contracts and transact all within the marketplace ecosystem. A retrospective rating system offers quality control and this, coupled with professional-grade features, incentivises both buyers and suppliers not to circumvent the marketplace (to avoid associated costs).
The current working revenue model is a commission on all successful bookings
Applying the increasingly prevalent services marketplace model to the live entertainment industry is perfectly timed for numerous reasons:
1. Live entertainment is on the rise with millennials being more experience-oriented
2. The marketplace model is tried and tested
3. Customers have hit an all time low in valuing the premium (15-20%) they're charged to use a traditional agency. They want quick, cheap quotes direct from the source with no physical middle-men
4. Increasingly complicated (and ever changing) online marketing strategies has left entertainers with talents and services unable to fend for themselves outside of agencies and, as a result, also receptive to a marketplace solution
As of the time of writing Extravaganza has acquired over 500 suppliers in the two weeks the website has been live. My intentions are to partake in a reputable startup accelerator program e.g. Seedcamp, Techstars etc.
This is why I'm the man to walk this journey with...
I'm a software engineer by trade with over 10 years experience. With two successful startup exits under my belt I've designed pitch decks, pitched, raised private funding, hired and managed distributed teams, put together boards of advisors, designed and executed technology strategies, leveraged global partnerships, navigated complex legal work and negotiated and closed acquisitions - the whole startup lifecycle with experience in every facet.
My work ethic is most closely identifiable with that of Elon Musk and Bill Gates - make habit a success, read and learn everyday, work twice as hard as everyone else.
Press:
https://bdaily.co.uk/entrepreneurship/19-12-2013/23-year-old-graduate-le...
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/business/business-news/middlesbrough-tech-s...
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/eventsneaker-acquired...
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/35-under-35-meet-risi...
If you're interested in exploring the opportunity of working together, let's grab a beer:
