Six ventures will compete in the Global Impact Award finals on Monday, October 23rd. Up to $50,000 will be awarded to one or more ventures.
Since the announcement of the 2017 finalists in April, all finalists have been paired up with industry mentors and have been polishing their pitches and Opportunity Summaries. Each week leading up to the finals in October, we will introduce one finalist team individually. Check back each week for a new profile!
This week is all about…
Strayos:
Industry: Enterprise Software, Mining
Total Number of Employees: 8
When They Formed: March 2016
Total Funding (as of September 2017): $645,000
What problem are you solving?
Mining and Quarry engineers currently use laser scanners and manual labor to acquire site data for material extraction. This is method is time-consuming, expensive, and can be unsafe.
How do you solve the problem?
Strayos eliminates the need for expensive laser scanners by automating site data collection through its proprietary 3D photogrammetry software. We use drone data to provide real-time 3D analytics, predicting efficient and accurate blast patterns while significantly decreasing delivery time and improving safety measures.
About the Founding Team Members:
Ravi Sahu, Founder/CEO. Source: Strayos
Ravi Sahu
Founder/CEO
As a CEO, I set the company vision, do fundraising, talent hiring and customer development.
Ravi received a BE in Computer Science from Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University in 2005 and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis in 2014.
Greg Shapiro, CFO. Source: Strayos
Greg Shapiro
CFO
As a CFO, I manage the financials, accounting and ensure day-to-day operations of company.
Greg received a BS in Chemical Engineering from MS&T and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis in 2014.
David Ayeke, Lead Developer. Source: Strayos
David Ayeke
Lead Developer
As a Lead developer, I ship products and ensure technology architecture.
David received a BS in Computer Science from Washington University in St. Louis in 2017.
Brad Gyngell, Strategy Leader. Source: Strayos
Brad Gyngell
Strategy Leader
As a Strategy Leader, I do product roadmap and partnership development.
Brad received a BE in Mining Engineering from UNSW Australia in 2012 and is currently receiving an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.
What is your favorite part about being an entrepreneur?
Ravi Sahu (RS): I like hustle, roller coaster ride and creating something that directly impacts customer’s and people’s life.
Greg Shapiro (GS): The challenge and the people. The team effort in working together to create something that will create a product that will be used for generations.
David Ayeke (DA): Building new things from scratch.
Brad Gyngell (BG): Shaping new ideas to product.
What is the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?
RS: Getting to accept failures each day and then get back up can be challenging sometimes.
GS: Balancing the personal to the business. When you are creating the nature of myself and other is to work to complete the task. One has to remember that this product will not be hidden and the work will get done.
DA: Unforeseen problems and uncertainty
BG: Working with personality totally opposite to you
Strayos Team. Source: Strayos
What is your #1 tip for building a strong team?
RS: Hire slow and make sure team truly cares for the vision.
GS: You need people around you with that sprit to create.
DA: Align the individuals’ motivation with company’s goal.
BG: Hire a person better than you.
What is your must-read book?
RS: Do More Faster
GS: Fierce Patriot: The Tangled Lives of Willaim Techumseh Sherman
DA: The Pragmatic Programmer
BG: Zero to One
What is your favorite entrepreneurial news source?
RS: avc.com, Bothsidesofthetable.com, pandodaily
GS: N/A
DA: Hacker News
BG: The Information
Like what you see? Follow along Strayos’ journey:
