How Robotics will Reshape Education

this week on sphere and business its
this week on sphere and business its Robo kind hey Milo that’s my line
welcome back to a beer in business I’m
welcome back to a beer in business I’m Tom Ellsworth the business doc and this
Tom Ellsworth the business doc and this
Tom Ellsworth the business doc and this week it’s my privilege to be with
week it’s my privilege to be with
week it’s my privilege to be with Richard Margolin the CTO and co-founder
Richard Margolin the CTO and co-founder
Richard Margolin the CTO and co-founder of Robo kind the educational robot
of Robo kind the educational robot
of Robo kind the educational robot company that’s changing the lives of
company that’s changing the lives of
company that’s changing the lives of some very special children but first
some very special children but first
some very special children but first thanks to our good friends at petty
thanks to our good friends at petty
thanks to our good friends at petty colas brewery we have a golden
colas brewery we have a golden
colas brewery we have a golden opportunity and I salute you as an
opportunity and I salute you as an
opportunity and I salute you as an entrepreneur sir thanks for having me
entrepreneur sir thanks for having me
entrepreneur sir thanks for having me it’s great to have you and I appreciate
it’s great to have you and I appreciate
it’s great to have you and I appreciate you being here so why don’t we start
you being here so why don’t we start
you being here so why don’t we start with the what is Robo kind as a company
with the what is Robo kind as a company
with the what is Robo kind as a company how do you describe your company and
how do you describe your company and
how do you describe your company and then let’s talk all about you and your
then let’s talk all about you and your
then let’s talk all about you and your background
background
background Robo kind is an education company first
Robo kind is an education company first
Robo kind is an education company first and foremost that is hiding under the
and foremost that is hiding under the
and foremost that is hiding under the guise of a robotics company so we create
guise of a robotics company so we create
guise of a robotics company so we create small facially expressive robots and we
small facially expressive robots and we
small facially expressive robots and we use them in education to teach social
use them in education to teach social
use them in education to teach social and emotional skills to kids on the
and emotional skills to kids on the
and emotional skills to kids on the autism spectrum through our robots for
autism spectrum through our robots for
autism spectrum through our robots for autism curriculum and now we’re also
autism curriculum and now we’re also
autism curriculum and now we’re also starting to teach kids to code at the
starting to teach kids to code at the
starting to teach kids to code at the elementary school level through our new
elementary school level through our new
elementary school level through our new robots for STEM program that’s fantastic
robots for STEM program that’s fantastic
robots for STEM program that’s fantastic and I’m sure the first question that
and I’m sure the first question that
and I’m sure the first question that comes to mind with everybody is how did
comes to mind with everybody is how did
comes to mind with everybody is how did you as an entrepreneur end up here this
you as an entrepreneur end up here this
you as an entrepreneur end up here this is pretty specialized it’s a lot
is pretty specialized it’s a lot
is pretty specialized it’s a lot different than hey I’ve got an idea for
different than hey I’ve got an idea for
different than hey I’ve got an idea for a social media app for fishermen I mean
a social media app for fishermen I mean
a social media app for fishermen I mean this is pretty technical how’d you get
this is pretty technical how’d you get
this is pretty technical how’d you get here I’ve been an entrepreneur since I
here I’ve been an entrepreneur since I
here I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 13 years old every hobby I’ve ever
was 13 years old every hobby I’ve ever
was 13 years old every hobby I’ve ever had has become a business basically but
had has become a business basically but
had has become a business basically but before I started Robo kind i was the
before I started Robo kind i was the
before I started Robo kind i was the engineering director for another
engineering director for another
engineering director for another humanoid robotics company building human
humanoid robotics company building human
humanoid robotics company building human scale facially expressive and socially
scale facially expressive and socially
scale facially expressive and socially interactive robots and ended up
interactive robots and ended up
interactive robots and ended up supporting a lot of research at
supporting a lot of research at
supporting a lot of research at universities in autism and education and
universities in autism and education and
universities in autism and education and I saw some like real significant
I saw some like real significant
I saw some like real significant evidence that robots like this could be
evidence that robots like this could be
evidence that robots like this could be beneficial for people with autism but
beneficial for people with autism but
beneficial for people with autism but the robots we were building at the time
the robots we were building at the time
the robots we were building at the time were wildly expensive and not really
were wildly expensive and not really
were wildly expensive and not really good to go into classrooms with young
good to go into classrooms with young
good to go into classrooms with young kids when I left that company to start
kids when I left that company to start
kids when I left that company to start Robo kind the goal was to build real
Robo kind the goal was to build real
Robo kind the goal was to build real product you know and by that I mean to
product you know and by that I mean to
product you know and by that I mean to address what we really needed so a small
address what we really needed so a small
address what we really needed so a small robot that was
robot that was
robot that was durable enough to be in a classroom with
durable enough to be in a classroom with
durable enough to be in a classroom with kids as young as six years old and could
kids as young as six years old and could
kids as young as six years old and could take a beating every day basically real
take a beating every day basically real
take a beating every day basically real curriculum so a real use case so you
curriculum so a real use case so you
curriculum so a real use case so you know the social and emotional curriculum
know the social and emotional curriculum
know the social and emotional curriculum tailored to people with autism and then
tailored to people with autism and then
tailored to people with autism and then all of the training materials and
all of the training materials and
all of the training materials and supports and data collection and
supports and data collection and
supports and data collection and reporting and all the other stuff you
reporting and all the other stuff you
reporting and all the other stuff you need for this to be functional in a
need for this to be functional in a
need for this to be functional in a classroom is just to take it out of the
classroom is just to take it out of the
classroom is just to take it out of the box learn how to use it real quick and
box learn how to use it real quick and
box learn how to use it real quick and just run with it type of product that is
just run with it type of product that is
just run with it type of product that is amazing because you’ve just hit on three
amazing because you’ve just hit on three
amazing because you’ve just hit on three things the passion of an entrepreneur
things the passion of an entrepreneur
things the passion of an entrepreneur the aptitude of the technologist and
the aptitude of the technologist and
the aptitude of the technologist and finding a true cause or solution in the
finding a true cause or solution in the
finding a true cause or solution in the market where you’re not like hey let’s
market where you’re not like hey let’s
market where you’re not like hey let’s build Facebook and maybe people can
build Facebook and maybe people can
build Facebook and maybe people can interact better you’re seeing in these
interact better you’re seeing in these
interact better you’re seeing in these kids these dear sweet kids and my wife
kids these dear sweet kids and my wife
kids these dear sweet kids and my wife teaches them at the Heritage School here
teaches them at the Heritage School here
teaches them at the Heritage School here in Dallas you may have heard of it yeah
in Dallas you may have heard of it yeah
in Dallas you may have heard of it yeah she works with the kids that are as
she works with the kids that are as
she works with the kids that are as burgers to high stress dyslexia and the
burgers to high stress dyslexia and the
burgers to high stress dyslexia and the things there so she stops right before
things there so she stops right before
things there so she stops right before you get to the basic autism and of
you get to the basic autism and of
you get to the basic autism and of course the high-functioning autism and
course the high-functioning autism and
course the high-functioning autism and things I’m sure you see all the time
things I’m sure you see all the time
things I’m sure you see all the time yeah but I see it coming home is she’s
yeah but I see it coming home is she’s
yeah but I see it coming home is she’s got this passion for these kids and
got this passion for these kids and
got this passion for these kids and wonders where are the solutions going to
wonders where are the solutions going to
wonders where are the solutions going to come in education they’re going to help
come in education they’re going to help
come in education they’re going to help them and that last kernel there you
them and that last kernel there you
them and that last kernel there you really caught that so was it the
really caught that so was it the
really caught that so was it the technology that was on your heart was it
technology that was on your heart was it
technology that was on your heart was it seeing what happened with the kids what
seeing what happened with the kids what
seeing what happened with the kids what led you to say you know what I’m gonna
led you to say you know what I’m gonna
led you to say you know what I’m gonna leave this company and I’m gonna take
leave this company and I’m gonna take
leave this company and I’m gonna take the full entrepreneur jump finding money
the full entrepreneur jump finding money
the full entrepreneur jump finding money getting my first product all the
getting my first product all the
getting my first product all the headaches and things are gonna come
headaches and things are gonna come
headaches and things are gonna come there which element of it was the one
there which element of it was the one
there which element of it was the one that sparked you to take that step was
that sparked you to take that step was
that sparked you to take that step was really kind of the heart aspect of it
really kind of the heart aspect of it
really kind of the heart aspect of it like the technology I’ve been building
like the technology I’ve been building
like the technology I’ve been building technology for a long time I’ve been in
technology for a long time I’ve been in
technology for a long time I’ve been in research and development for a really
research and development for a really
research and development for a really long time for his young guy as I am but
long time for his young guy as I am but
long time for his young guy as I am but I finally saw an application with the
I finally saw an application with the
I finally saw an application with the things I was doing and kind of already
things I was doing and kind of already
things I was doing and kind of already good at doing and knew how to do and saw
good at doing and knew how to do and saw
good at doing and knew how to do and saw a way to kind of build something around
a way to kind of build something around
a way to kind of build something around it that could actually help people and
it that could actually help people and
it that could actually help people and wasn’t just a neat thing you see on CNN
wasn’t just a neat thing you see on CNN
wasn’t just a neat thing you see on CNN or Fox News occasionally or you know
or Fox News occasionally or you know
or Fox News occasionally or you know wasn’t just some consumer product that
wasn’t just some consumer product that
wasn’t just some consumer product that you know
you know
you know was kind of cool for 10 minutes and then
was kind of cool for 10 minutes and then
was kind of cool for 10 minutes and then people put it down and never think about
people put it down and never think about
people put it down and never think about it again what was that first step like
it again what was that first step like
it again what was that first step like you’re gonna open a lab or you’re gonna
you’re gonna open a lab or you’re gonna
you’re gonna open a lab or you’re gonna open something what was that first step
open something what was that first step
open something what was that first step like and where did you find the capital
like and where did you find the capital
like and where did you find the capital and what were those early days like the
and what were those early days like the
and what were those early days like the early days were interesting because we
early days were interesting because we
early days were interesting because we started this while I was still
started this while I was still
started this while I was still engineering director for this other
engineering director for this other
engineering director for this other company and kind of licensed a lot of
company and kind of licensed a lot of
company and kind of licensed a lot of the intellectual property that I’d
the intellectual property that I’d
the intellectual property that I’d worked on at that other company her
worked on at that other company her
worked on at that other company her first year and a half we office out of
first year and a half we office out of
first year and a half we office out of the other company I was working for and
the other company I was working for and
the other company I was working for and then kind of you know split out slowly
then kind of you know split out slowly
then kind of you know split out slowly and then eventually got our own office
and then eventually got our own office
and then eventually got our own office but the office being at that time
but the office being at that time
but the office being at that time someone’s living room I was able to
someone’s living room I was able to
someone’s living room I was able to basically do that I have a co-founder
basically do that I have a co-founder
basically do that I have a co-founder who’s actually my father and my father
who’s actually my father and my father
who’s actually my father and my father is a lifelong entrepreneur as well and
is a lifelong entrepreneur as well and
is a lifelong entrepreneur as well and so I grew up in a house where
so I grew up in a house where
so I grew up in a house where entrepreneurship was the norm and me
entrepreneurship was the norm and me
entrepreneurship was the norm and me deciding to be a scientist and then an
deciding to be a scientist and then an
deciding to be a scientist and then an engineer was kind of me being the
engineer was kind of me being the
engineer was kind of me being the outlier we we started we got some
outlier we we started we got some
outlier we we started we got some initial seed capital we were kind of
initial seed capital we were kind of
initial seed capital we were kind of sharing resources with this other
sharing resources with this other
sharing resources with this other company I’d been working for first step
company I’d been working for first step
company I’d been working for first step was just build something that we can
was just build something that we can
was just build something that we can start showing off and testing and so our
start showing off and testing and so our
start showing off and testing and so our first robots were not quite inexpensive
first robots were not quite inexpensive
first robots were not quite inexpensive enough to really get out in the world
enough to really get out in the world
enough to really get out in the world but they worked and they were about the
but they worked and they were about the
but they worked and they were about the right size once we actually had some
right size once we actually had some
right size once we actually had some initial robots we could test with and
initial robots we could test with and
initial robots we could test with and some autism treatment centers as
some autism treatment centers as
some autism treatment centers as partners we were able to just start
partners we were able to just start
partners we were able to just start testing some of these vague ideas and
testing some of these vague ideas and
testing some of these vague ideas and working with autism experts to do it and
working with autism experts to do it and
working with autism experts to do it and I mean there was a you know holy crap
I mean there was a you know holy crap
I mean there was a you know holy crap moment I think the first time we got one
moment I think the first time we got one
moment I think the first time we got one of these early robots into a Therapy
of these early robots into a Therapy
of these early robots into a Therapy Center and in front of a kid who was
Center and in front of a kid who was
Center and in front of a kid who was considered nonverbal non-communicative
considered nonverbal non-communicative
considered nonverbal non-communicative and he just like when he came into the
and he just like when he came into the
and he just like when he came into the room he zeroed in on this early
room he zeroed in on this early
room he zeroed in on this early prototype robot and just said hi to it
prototype robot and just said hi to it
prototype robot and just said hi to it and he had never done that with anyone
and he had never done that with anyone
and he had never done that with anyone else so that’s a much better holy crap
else so that’s a much better holy crap
else so that’s a much better holy crap moment than my software routine worked I
moment than my software routine worked I
moment than my software routine worked I mean that’s that’s that’s the human side
mean that’s that’s that’s the human side
mean that’s that’s that’s the human side of it all yes fantastic but you know
of it all yes fantastic but you know
of it all yes fantastic but you know with hardware it’s tough because
with hardware it’s tough because
with hardware it’s tough because hardware unlike software it’s really
hardware unlike software it’s really
hardware unlike software it’s really long kind of
long kind of
long kind of process times to get it to anything
process times to get it to anything
process times to get it to anything unlike if you’re starting a software
unlike if you’re starting a software
unlike if you’re starting a software company where you can go and raise seed
company where you can go and raise seed
company where you can go and raise seed of like you know 25 grand or 50 grand
of like you know 25 grand or 50 grand
of like you know 25 grand or 50 grand you kind of need 5 to 10 X to do
you kind of need 5 to 10 X to do
you kind of need 5 to 10 X to do anything when you’re in hardware and
anything when you’re in hardware and
anything when you’re in hardware and robotics so had to raise a government a
robotics so had to raise a government a
robotics so had to raise a government a seed money to start with and then just
seed money to start with and then just
seed money to start with and then just kind of kept going with it and had a
kind of kept going with it and had a
kind of kept going with it and had a bunch of milestones along the way and
bunch of milestones along the way and
bunch of milestones along the way and been able to have keep raising money and
been able to have keep raising money and
been able to have keep raising money and see a day where we could actually be you
see a day where we could actually be you
see a day where we could actually be you know in the black and operating on our
know in the black and operating on our
know in the black and operating on our own where next raise will hopefully be
own where next raise will hopefully be
own where next raise will hopefully be for significant growth much faster than
for significant growth much faster than
for significant growth much faster than just kind of survival we’ll hear from
just kind of survival we’ll hear from
just kind of survival we’ll hear from people around the world that they don’t
people around the world that they don’t
people around the world that they don’t have like clothes and role models the
have like clothes and role models the
have like clothes and role models the entrepreneur may be a somebody who’s
entrepreneur may be a somebody who’s
entrepreneur may be a somebody who’s running a small restaurant or a store
running a small restaurant or a store
running a small restaurant or a store and it’s not family its first generation
and it’s not family its first generation
and it’s not family its first generation I mean this is mine this is what I did
I mean this is mine this is what I did
I mean this is mine this is what I did what did your dad do you said he was a
what did your dad do you said he was a
what did your dad do you said he was a lifelong entrepreneur what did he do and
lifelong entrepreneur what did he do and
lifelong entrepreneur what did he do and how did that impress upon you growing up
how did that impress upon you growing up
how did that impress upon you growing up when I was like 6 7 8 he had started
when I was like 6 7 8 he had started
when I was like 6 7 8 he had started this this new company and real estate
this this new company and real estate
this this new company and real estate actually and took it from just this
actually and took it from just this
actually and took it from just this small thing that owned some restaurant
small thing that owned some restaurant
small thing that owned some restaurant properties and grew it to a big
properties and grew it to a big
properties and grew it to a big restaurant REIT that they actually IPO
restaurant REIT that they actually IPO
restaurant REIT that they actually IPO Don the New York Stock Exchange and so I
Don the New York Stock Exchange and so I
Don the New York Stock Exchange and so I mean I I lived in a house where this was
mean I I lived in a house where this was
mean I I lived in a house where this was you know like I mean real extreme from
you know like I mean real extreme from
you know like I mean real extreme from like you know little bit of a kind of he
like you know little bit of a kind of he
like you know little bit of a kind of he and some friends put some initial
and some friends put some initial
and some friends put some initial capital in and raised some money to get
capital in and raised some money to get
capital in and raised some money to get this thing started and just grew it and
this thing started and just grew it and
this thing started and just grew it and grew it and grew it and grew it and then
grew it and grew it and grew it and then
grew it and grew it and grew it and then I’ll also give my mother credit cuz
I’ll also give my mother credit cuz
I’ll also give my mother credit cuz she’s also an MBA but she kind of worked
she’s also an MBA but she kind of worked
she’s also an MBA but she kind of worked in the philanthropic space more so so
in the philanthropic space more so so
in the philanthropic space more so so she was chairman of the board of
she was chairman of the board of
she was chairman of the board of Parkland Hospital here in Dallas in the
Parkland Hospital here in Dallas in the
Parkland Hospital here in Dallas in the 80s during the AIDS epidemic original
80s during the AIDS epidemic original
80s during the AIDS epidemic original parkland yeah yeah yeah I grew up in a
parkland yeah yeah yeah I grew up in a
parkland yeah yeah yeah I grew up in a household where it was kind of if it was
household where it was kind of if it was
household where it was kind of if it was really encouraged like anything I had as
really encouraged like anything I had as
really encouraged like anything I had as an idea where I kind of started making
an idea where I kind of started making
an idea where I kind of started making money at it I had a really interesting
money at it I had a really interesting
money at it I had a really interesting support mechanism and encourage
support mechanism and encourage
support mechanism and encourage encouragement mechanism
encouragement mechanism
encouragement mechanism to really just kind of pursue it to a a
to really just kind of pursue it to a a
to really just kind of pursue it to a a bigger level than a lot and so that was
bigger level than a lot and so that was
bigger level than a lot and so that was just you know that’s kind of the weird
just you know that’s kind of the weird
just you know that’s kind of the weird cool background and then I also started
cool background and then I also started
cool background and then I also started working in research labs when I was 13
working in research labs when I was 13
working in research labs when I was 13 years old so I’ve got this kind of
years old so I’ve got this kind of
years old so I’ve got this kind of two-track life I guess when you look at
two-track life I guess when you look at
two-track life I guess when you look at that that led me to this weird place I
that that led me to this weird place I
that that led me to this weird place I am at now where I’m doing something that
am at now where I’m doing something that
am at now where I’m doing something that I’m proud of and is helping people and
I’m proud of and is helping people and
I’m proud of and is helping people and is very entrepreneurial well it sounds
is very entrepreneurial well it sounds
is very entrepreneurial well it sounds like you grew up in a research lab I
like you grew up in a research lab I
like you grew up in a research lab I mean you know those parents and what I
mean you know those parents and what I
mean you know those parents and what I find it really remarkable what you’re
find it really remarkable what you’re
find it really remarkable what you’re talking about
talking about
talking about you’re describing your mom at Parkland
you’re describing your mom at Parkland
you’re describing your mom at Parkland Hospital the things that she was caring
Hospital the things that she was caring
Hospital the things that she was caring about and you talk about your dad with a
about and you talk about your dad with a
about and you talk about your dad with a technology solution that went all the
technology solution that went all the
technology solution that went all the way to IPO and both of those really come
way to IPO and both of those really come
way to IPO and both of those really come together with your company it’s
together with your company it’s
together with your company it’s technology that has not altruism there’s
technology that has not altruism there’s
technology that has not altruism there’s a capitalist angle here but it’s a
a capitalist angle here but it’s a
a capitalist angle here but it’s a capitalist angle towards solving a
capitalist angle towards solving a
capitalist angle towards solving a problem that needs solving for the very
problem that needs solving for the very
problem that needs solving for the very the very human part of all of us you
the very human part of all of us you
the very human part of all of us you know it’s the part that needs needs
know it’s the part that needs needs
know it’s the part that needs needs assistance as you were talking you know
assistance as you were talking you know
assistance as you were talking you know I was remembering what you said a minute
I was remembering what you said a minute
I was remembering what you said a minute ago about working with your dad mhm
ago about working with your dad mhm
ago about working with your dad mhm now how did it come that you work with
now how did it come that you work with
now how did it come that you work with him when you’ve now said dad I’m gonna
him when you’ve now said dad I’m gonna
him when you’ve now said dad I’m gonna leave the research job I’ve got and
leave the research job I’ve got and
leave the research job I’ve got and they’ve been kind of helping me out
they’ve been kind of helping me out
they’ve been kind of helping me out using some space and kind of
using some space and kind of
using some space and kind of cohabitating a little bit incubating or
cohabitating a little bit incubating or
cohabitating a little bit incubating or whatever the right word is and I’m gonna
whatever the right word is and I’m gonna
whatever the right word is and I’m gonna step out on my own and then your dad’s
step out on my own and then your dad’s
step out on my own and then your dad’s with you how did that happen working
with you how did that happen working
with you how did that happen working with my dad I think part of it was the
with my dad I think part of it was the
with my dad I think part of it was the timing was right he was just actually
timing was right he was just actually
timing was right he was just actually exiting another company that he had
exiting another company that he had
exiting another company that he had built over previous several years and I
built over previous several years and I
built over previous several years and I was more of an engineer than anything
was more of an engineer than anything
was more of an engineer than anything else at the time I had done a lot of
else at the time I had done a lot of
else at the time I had done a lot of entrepreneurial things but nothing at
entrepreneurial things but nothing at
entrepreneurial things but nothing at the scale this needed to be kind of when
the scale this needed to be kind of when
the scale this needed to be kind of when it started I had a small fashion company
it started I had a small fashion company
it started I had a small fashion company when I was younger and we had you know
when I was younger and we had you know
when I was younger and we had you know some people manufacturing stuff for me
some people manufacturing stuff for me
some people manufacturing stuff for me and I had a t-shirt company and did a
and I had a t-shirt company and did a
and I had a t-shirt company and did a software company with some friends in
software company with some friends in
software company with some friends in college and stuff like that but never
college and stuff like that but never
college and stuff like that but never anything where it was just kind of I
anything where it was just kind of I
anything where it was just kind of I needed capital pretty quickly I needed
needed capital pretty quickly I needed
needed capital pretty quickly I needed to build a real team and the sales side
to build a real team and the sales side
to build a real team and the sales side of it was this whole
of it was this whole
of it was this whole area that I just you know didn’t know
area that I just you know didn’t know
area that I just you know didn’t know how to approach at the time and he was
how to approach at the time and he was
how to approach at the time and he was available basically and had been helping
available basically and had been helping
available basically and had been helping and talking through a lot of this stuff
and talking through a lot of this stuff
and talking through a lot of this stuff and he’s I mean he’s a kind of product
and he’s I mean he’s a kind of product
and he’s I mean he’s a kind of product development guy at core I mean he’s done
development guy at core I mean he’s done
development guy at core I mean he’s done a lot of other things but he thinks
a lot of other things but he thinks
a lot of other things but he thinks about things in those terms and so he
about things in those terms and so he
about things in those terms and so he really helped me formulate this whole
really helped me formulate this whole
really helped me formulate this whole product concept in terms of here are all
product concept in terms of here are all
product concept in terms of here are all the things we really need the boxes we
the things we really need the boxes we
the things we really need the boxes we need to check to make this a real usable
need to check to make this a real usable
need to check to make this a real usable product and not just kind of a neat
product and not just kind of a neat
product and not just kind of a neat engineering experiment how many people
engineering experiment how many people
engineering experiment how many people total do you have now on payroll we have
total do you have now on payroll we have
total do you have now on payroll we have at Robo kind 22 full-time employees and
at Robo kind 22 full-time employees and
at Robo kind 22 full-time employees and then it’s kind of you know up and down
then it’s kind of you know up and down
then it’s kind of you know up and down with contractors but probably right now
with contractors but probably right now
with contractors but probably right now another 15 contractors and depending
another 15 contractors and depending
another 15 contractors and depending what’s going on it can double that at
what’s going on it can double that at
what’s going on it can double that at times it’s not huge but it feels like a
times it’s not huge but it feels like a
times it’s not huge but it feels like a lot of people compared to when it was me
lot of people compared to when it was me
lot of people compared to when it was me and two other guys in a living room many
and two other guys in a living room many
and two other guys in a living room many entrepreneurs will send us questions one
entrepreneurs will send us questions one
entrepreneurs will send us questions one of the biggest questions they say is I
of the biggest questions they say is I
of the biggest questions they say is I got me I got my founder or just myself
got me I got my founder or just myself
got me I got my founder or just myself and I’m about to hire like the first two
and I’m about to hire like the first two
and I’m about to hire like the first two people what pearls do you have for
people what pearls do you have for
people what pearls do you have for making those first couple hires people
making those first couple hires people
making those first couple hires people get encouragement hey I’d love to work
get encouragement hey I’d love to work
get encouragement hey I’d love to work with you from a friend or you know your
with you from a friend or you know your
with you from a friend or you know your cousin Jeremy needs a job why don’t you
cousin Jeremy needs a job why don’t you
cousin Jeremy needs a job why don’t you help him out and you get those kind of
help him out and you get those kind of
help him out and you get those kind of things but then there’s the entrepreneur
things but then there’s the entrepreneur
things but then there’s the entrepreneur at the center this is no I gotta hire
at the center this is no I gotta hire
at the center this is no I gotta hire the right people first people what tips
the right people first people what tips
the right people first people what tips would you get them for processing that
would you get them for processing that
would you get them for processing that question if you can find the right
question if you can find the right
question if you can find the right people get to know them because you’re
people get to know them because you’re
people get to know them because you’re gonna be spending more time with them
gonna be spending more time with them
gonna be spending more time with them than you are with your family obviously
than you are with your family obviously
than you are with your family obviously skills matter and all of that and early
skills matter and all of that and early
skills matter and all of that and early on you don’t have money so you’re
on you don’t have money so you’re
on you don’t have money so you’re probably giving them options and maybe a
probably giving them options and maybe a
probably giving them options and maybe a little bit of money some stock yeah some
little bit of money some stock yeah some
little bit of money some stock yeah some stock options and a little bit of money
stock options and a little bit of money
stock options and a little bit of money so you also have to find people if
so you also have to find people if
so you also have to find people if that’s the situation you’re in unless
that’s the situation you’re in unless
that’s the situation you’re in unless you’re just really well funded from day
you’re just really well funded from day
you’re just really well funded from day one who can do that for you and so
one who can do that for you and so
one who can do that for you and so especially you know if you’re moving
especially you know if you’re moving
especially you know if you’re moving from a stage where it’s
from a stage where it’s
from a stage where it’s a bunch of friends or people who are
a bunch of friends or people who are
a bunch of friends or people who are enthusiastic about what you’re doing who
enthusiastic about what you’re doing who
enthusiastic about what you’re doing who are kind of giving you some part-time
are kind of giving you some part-time
are kind of giving you some part-time help in exchange for whatever nothing
help in exchange for whatever nothing
help in exchange for whatever nothing just helping you out because they like
just helping you out because they like
just helping you out because they like what you’re doing to really starting to
what you’re doing to really starting to
what you’re doing to really starting to build that team you just need to be
build that team you just need to be
build that team you just need to be patient and also recognize if you were
patient and also recognize if you were
patient and also recognize if you were wrong and it’s tough that sometimes you
wrong and it’s tough that sometimes you
wrong and it’s tough that sometimes you need to get rid of people and doing it
need to get rid of people and doing it
need to get rid of people and doing it fast and that’s not an easy thing and
fast and that’s not an easy thing and
fast and that’s not an easy thing and it’s this isn’t stuff I did really well
it’s this isn’t stuff I did really well
it’s this isn’t stuff I did really well early on this is stuff I now have
early on this is stuff I now have
early on this is stuff I now have perspective on so you know getting rid
perspective on so you know getting rid
perspective on so you know getting rid of people faster which is a tough thing
of people faster which is a tough thing
of people faster which is a tough thing to say and it’s a something that I found
to say and it’s a something that I found
to say and it’s a something that I found no one really likes to talk about but if
no one really likes to talk about but if
no one really likes to talk about but if they’re a bad fit keeping them there
they’re a bad fit keeping them there
they’re a bad fit keeping them there isn’t good for you and it’s not good for
isn’t good for you and it’s not good for
isn’t good for you and it’s not good for them so it’s it’s a two-way street
them so it’s it’s a two-way street
them so it’s it’s a two-way street you’re not doing anyone any favors by
you’re not doing anyone any favors by
you’re not doing anyone any favors by keeping someone on as you grow someone
keeping someone on as you grow someone
keeping someone on as you grow someone who was the right fit for you on day one
who was the right fit for you on day one
who was the right fit for you on day one or week one may not be the right fit
or week one may not be the right fit
or week one may not be the right fit when you’ve got a team of 15 or 20 or 50
when you’ve got a team of 15 or 20 or 50
when you’ve got a team of 15 or 20 or 50 people and you’re growing because we’re
people and you’re growing because we’re
people and you’re growing because we’re not all right for those different types
not all right for those different types
not all right for those different types of environments as they evolve you know
of environments as they evolve you know
of environments as they evolve you know the number of hats I wear has changed
the number of hats I wear has changed
the number of hats I wear has changed you know up and down throughout the
you know up and down throughout the
you know up and down throughout the years as well as what I do on a
years as well as what I do on a
years as well as what I do on a day-to-day basis and there are certain
day-to-day basis and there are certain
day-to-day basis and there are certain things I’ve tried to do within Robo kind
things I’ve tried to do within Robo kind
things I’ve tried to do within Robo kind where I failed outright and I just am
where I failed outright and I just am
where I failed outright and I just am NOT a good fit and it’s not the way I
NOT a good fit and it’s not the way I
NOT a good fit and it’s not the way I think and if I wasn’t the guy in charge
think and if I wasn’t the guy in charge
think and if I wasn’t the guy in charge I should have been fired from that
I should have been fired from that
I should have been fired from that position and ultimately had to remove
position and ultimately had to remove
position and ultimately had to remove myself from that position so it’s not
myself from that position so it’s not
myself from that position so it’s not you know it’s not unique to anyone it’s
you know it’s not unique to anyone it’s
you know it’s not unique to anyone it’s just you’ve got to really make sure
just you’ve got to really make sure
just you’ve got to really make sure you’re doing what’s right for the
you’re doing what’s right for the
you’re doing what’s right for the mission basically the first two hires
mission basically the first two hires
mission basically the first two hires you made would they like additional
you made would they like additional
you made would they like additional engineers or was it a finance person
engineers or was it a finance person
engineers or was it a finance person what were those initial hires for you
what were those initial hires for you
what were those initial hires for you because obviously you’re the
because obviously you’re the
because obviously you’re the technologist when the product vision
technologist when the product vision
technologist when the product vision first two hires were software and
first two hires were software and
first two hires were software and another engineer you know what we do is
another engineer you know what we do is
another engineer you know what we do is complex in terms of the robotics portion
complex in terms of the robotics portion
complex in terms of the robotics portion of it and early on we had these kind of
of it and early on we had these kind of
of it and early on we had these kind of concepts around autism but we needed a
concepts around autism but we needed a
concepts around autism but we needed a platform before we could even start work
platform before we could even start work
platform before we could even start work on it on the curriculum piece and so I
on it on the curriculum piece and so I
on it on the curriculum piece and so I was very lucky because I had this other
was very lucky because I had this other
was very lucky because I had this other entire team I had worked with and some
entire team I had worked with and some
entire team I had worked with and some of one of them was willing to come with
of one of them was willing to come with
of one of them was willing to come with me and start working on this project so
me and start working on this project so
me and start working on this project so I had that relationship and then my now
I had that relationship and then my now
I had that relationship and then my now engineering director who was our second
engineering director who was our second
engineering director who was our second hire he and I went to college together
hire he and I went to college together
hire he and I went to college together and worked on projects together and so I
and worked on projects together and so I
and worked on projects together and so I kind of had that relationship and he was
kind of had that relationship and he was
kind of had that relationship and he was helping me out early on before I had any
helping me out early on before I had any
helping me out early on before I had any money at all to kind of pay and then
money at all to kind of pay and then
money at all to kind of pay and then once I raised some money we’d talked
once I raised some money we’d talked
once I raised some money we’d talked about a little bit before but I texted
about a little bit before but I texted
about a little bit before but I texted him and I said you know hey quit your
him and I said you know hey quit your
him and I said you know hey quit your job and you know come work for me I’ll
job and you know come work for me I’ll
job and you know come work for me I’ll give you a third of what you’re making
give you a third of what you’re making
give you a third of what you’re making now and you’ll work three times as hard
now and you’ll work three times as hard
now and you’ll work three times as hard it’s a deal yeah it’s a huge deal so he
it’s a deal yeah it’s a huge deal so he
it’s a deal yeah it’s a huge deal so he texted me back a few hours later and
texted me back a few hours later and
texted me back a few hours later and they said I hope you’re serious because
they said I hope you’re serious because
they said I hope you’re serious because I just put in my two weeks notice did
I just put in my two weeks notice did
I just put in my two weeks notice did you have people that came to you sort of
you have people that came to you sort of
you have people that came to you sort of as interns or volunteers because they
as interns or volunteers because they
as interns or volunteers because they believed in the cause and they were
believed in the cause and they were
believed in the cause and they were willing to literally work for almost
willing to literally work for almost
willing to literally work for almost nothing for a short time at least just
nothing for a short time at least just
nothing for a short time at least just to get the experience and to support
to get the experience and to support
to get the experience and to support what you were doing I had huge amounts
what you were doing I had huge amounts
what you were doing I had huge amounts of help from all over the place in terms
of help from all over the place in terms
of help from all over the place in terms of volunteer labor advice from people
of volunteer labor advice from people
of volunteer labor advice from people who really understood like the education
who really understood like the education
who really understood like the education industry when I had no experience in it
industry when I had no experience in it
industry when I had no experience in it just on the hardware side access
just on the hardware side access
just on the hardware side access basically free or at just absolute cost
basically free or at just absolute cost
basically free or at just absolute cost from 3d printing and machining of parts
from 3d printing and machining of parts
from 3d printing and machining of parts and laser cutting and all types of other
and laser cutting and all types of other
and laser cutting and all types of other stuff and board assembly and all this
stuff and board assembly and all this
stuff and board assembly and all this other stuff that you know I kind of had
other stuff that you know I kind of had
other stuff that you know I kind of had an idea but it’s it’s the stuff that
an idea but it’s it’s the stuff that
an idea but it’s it’s the stuff that makes like hardware development and
makes like hardware development and
makes like hardware development and robotics development like really
robotics development like really
robotics development like really expensive and so I had people just
expensive and so I had people just
expensive and so I had people just helping me out all the time as we’ve
helping me out all the time as we’ve
helping me out all the time as we’ve grown you know we do you know we still
grown you know we do you know we still
grown you know we do you know we still do internships now we can sometimes Ford
do internships now we can sometimes Ford
do internships now we can sometimes Ford to pay a little bit but we did a lot of
to pay a little bit but we did a lot of
to pay a little bit but we did a lot of unpaid internships early on also with a
unpaid internships early on also with a
unpaid internships early on also with a lot of smart kids and you know I did
lot of smart kids and you know I did
lot of smart kids and you know I did what I could to help them
what I could to help them
what I could to help them with their goals basically after they
with their goals basically after they
with their goals basically after they left whether it was finding a job you
left whether it was finding a job you
left whether it was finding a job you know somewhere cool like Disney
know somewhere cool like Disney
know somewhere cool like Disney Imagineering or going to grad school at
Imagineering or going to grad school at
Imagineering or going to grad school at a top-tier University and things like
a top-tier University and things like
a top-tier University and things like that because I have you know some
that because I have you know some
that because I have you know some relationships in those spaces and so
relationships in those spaces and so
relationships in those spaces and so when you don’t have money and you’re not
when you don’t have money and you’re not
when you don’t have money and you’re not quite able or ready to give away you
quite able or ready to give away you
quite able or ready to give away you know a bunch of stock options and equity
know a bunch of stock options and equity
know a bunch of stock options and equity and stuff like that
and stuff like that
and stuff like that you you know you trade in relationships
you you know you trade in relationships
you you know you trade in relationships and favors until you have whatever the
and favors until you have whatever the
and favors until you have whatever the you know the money or the options or
you know the money or the options or
you know the money or the options or whatever you can do where you’re ready
whatever you can do where you’re ready
whatever you can do where you’re ready to make real commitments to people and
to make real commitments to people and
to make real commitments to people and can afford to do you have a management
can afford to do you have a management
can afford to do you have a management credo or a philosophy that you
credo or a philosophy that you
credo or a philosophy that you specifically articulate to the team or
specifically articulate to the team or
specifically articulate to the team or is it more of a culture that you just
is it more of a culture that you just
is it more of a culture that you just establish and you let it sort of by
establish and you let it sort of by
establish and you let it sort of by osmosis affect people in pure base yeah
osmosis affect people in pure base yeah
osmosis affect people in pure base yeah which is it for you I’ve never really
which is it for you I’ve never really
which is it for you I’ve never really had the experience of a normal work
had the experience of a normal work
had the experience of a normal work environment or corporate work
environment or corporate work
environment or corporate work environment and I think that in those
environment and I think that in those
environment and I think that in those types of places I personally am wholly
types of places I personally am wholly
types of places I personally am wholly unemployable so I tend to be a like I’m
unemployable so I tend to be a like I’m
unemployable so I tend to be a like I’m big on making sure communications
big on making sure communications
big on making sure communications happening because that’s that’s the most
happening because that’s that’s the most
happening because that’s that’s the most important thing in terms of with me
important thing in terms of with me
important thing in terms of with me within teams and stuff like that but
within teams and stuff like that but
within teams and stuff like that but like there’s I’m really bad and some of
like there’s I’m really bad and some of
like there’s I’m really bad and some of some people who are team leads or you
some people who are team leads or you
some people who are team leads or you know managers I know I frustrate the
know managers I know I frustrate the
know managers I know I frustrate the heck out of them because I will go and
heck out of them because I will go and
heck out of them because I will go and talk to anyone at any level and you know
talk to anyone at any level and you know
talk to anyone at any level and you know ask them what’s going on what they’re
ask them what’s going on what they’re
ask them what’s going on what they’re working on sometimes
working on sometimes
working on sometimes wholly distract them from what they’re
wholly distract them from what they’re
wholly distract them from what they’re doing and ask them to do something else
doing and ask them to do something else
doing and ask them to do something else for me and so I’m but ultimately if
for me and so I’m but ultimately if
for me and so I’m but ultimately if you’re managing that way or if that’s
you’re managing that way or if that’s
you’re managing that way or if that’s kind of the company culture it’s really
kind of the company culture it’s really
kind of the company culture it’s really important to make sure everyone
important to make sure everyone
important to make sure everyone understands the goals and the missions
understands the goals and the missions
understands the goals and the missions and so that’s something in terms of back
and so that’s something in terms of back
and so that’s something in terms of back to that communication piece you know you
to that communication piece you know you
to that communication piece you know you can’t have that type of I guess informal
can’t have that type of I guess informal
can’t have that type of I guess informal structure basically sure without making
structure basically sure without making
structure basically sure without making sure that everyone understands what
sure that everyone understands what
sure that everyone understands what we’re doing because we’re in the
we’re doing because we’re in the
we’re doing because we’re in the education space we have more rigid
education space we have more rigid
education space we have more rigid deadlines some time
deadlines some time
deadlines some time than other industries because you know
than other industries because you know
than other industries because you know school is starting soon that’s when
school is starting soon that’s when
school is starting soon that’s when we’re onboarding a bunch of new
we’re onboarding a bunch of new
we’re onboarding a bunch of new customers that’s when we’re delivering
customers that’s when we’re delivering
customers that’s when we’re delivering stuff and that’s when all of our
stuff and that’s when all of our
stuff and that’s when all of our existing customers have to get their
existing customers have to get their
existing customers have to get their updates before school starts and so
updates before school starts and so
updates before school starts and so depending what state you’re in school
depending what state you’re in school
depending what state you’re in school starts as early as August 1st in some
starts as early as August 1st in some
starts as early as August 1st in some places and so we have the staggered
places and so we have the staggered
places and so we have the staggered hectic period between like beginning of
hectic period between like beginning of
hectic period between like beginning of August and kind of middle of September
August and kind of middle of September
August and kind of middle of September so we’ve got to hit those deadlines and
so we’ve got to hit those deadlines and
so we’ve got to hit those deadlines and then after that things relax a little
then after that things relax a little
then after that things relax a little more and because of the industry we’re
more and because of the industry we’re
more and because of the industry we’re in no one wants updates in the middle of
in no one wants updates in the middle of
in no one wants updates in the middle of the year either so if you don’t hit that
the year either so if you don’t hit that
the year either so if you don’t hit that then you don’t get to update most
then you don’t get to update most
then you don’t get to update most customers until like after the winter
customers until like after the winter
customers until like after the winter break so there we have some weird
break so there we have some weird
break so there we have some weird structure but you know because people
structure but you know because people
structure but you know because people understand what the mission is and they
understand what the mission is and they
understand what the mission is and they understand the deadlines and the goals
understand the deadlines and the goals
understand the deadlines and the goals and that the deadlines are not
and that the deadlines are not
and that the deadlines are not artificial they’re actually real things
artificial they’re actually real things
artificial they’re actually real things in terms of us being successful as a
in terms of us being successful as a
in terms of us being successful as a company they get it and they’re willing
company they get it and they’re willing
company they get it and they’re willing to put in the effort whenever they need
to put in the effort whenever they need
to put in the effort whenever they need to and put an extra time and stuff like
to and put an extra time and stuff like
to and put an extra time and stuff like that
that
that very cool well you bring up school and
very cool well you bring up school and
very cool well you bring up school and schools about to start right now and
schools about to start right now and
schools about to start right now and when school starts the classrooms got to
when school starts the classrooms got to
when school starts the classrooms got to be ready teachers gotta be ready books
be ready teachers gotta be ready books
be ready teachers gotta be ready books have to be ready everything’s got to be
have to be ready everything’s got to be
have to be ready everything’s got to be there and be ready and when the bell
there and be ready and when the bell
there and be ready and when the bell rings you have to be there in the
rings you have to be there in the
rings you have to be there in the classroom because you’ve made this
classroom because you’ve made this
classroom because you’ve made this commitment you’ve sold a school or a
commitment you’ve sold a school or a
commitment you’ve sold a school or a school district on using these tools in
school district on using these tools in
school district on using these tools in a previous life we had software that we
a previous life we had software that we
a previous life we had software that we did for the NFL mm-hmm and you know what
did for the NFL mm-hmm and you know what
did for the NFL mm-hmm and you know what the first game is there in August and
the first game is there in August and
the first game is there in August and then the only day time you’re allowed to
then the only day time you’re allowed to
then the only day time you’re allowed to do an update like a software push was
do an update like a software push was
do an update like a software push was like going on Thursday yeah cuz he had
like going on Thursday yeah cuz he had
like going on Thursday yeah cuz he had this little thing about Sunday going on
this little thing about Sunday going on
this little thing about Sunday going on they were really busy on Sunday and you
they were really busy on Sunday and you
they were really busy on Sunday and you just couldn’t you couldn’t mess it up on
just couldn’t you couldn’t mess it up on
just couldn’t you couldn’t mess it up on Sunday and I had friends that other
Sunday and I had friends that other
Sunday and I had friends that other software development companies are like
software development companies are like
software development companies are like man that’s kind of harsh you know they
man that’s kind of harsh you know they
man that’s kind of harsh you know they just decide you know well maybe we’ll
just decide you know well maybe we’ll
just decide you know well maybe we’ll get the update done Monday maybe
get the update done Monday maybe
get the update done Monday maybe Thursday we’ll send it to Apple people
Thursday we’ll send it to Apple people
Thursday we’ll send it to Apple people get the low red dot on their app and
get the low red dot on their app and
get the low red dot on their app and they know it’s time to update it and
they know it’s time to update it and
they know it’s time to update it and it’s like you guys you know you’re doing
it’s like you guys you know you’re doing
it’s like you guys you know you’re doing great work but half of what you’re doing
great work but half of what you’re doing
great work but half of what you’re doing is a dream world because some of us are
is a dream world because some of us are
is a dream world because some of us are in in realms where the bell rings and
in in realms where the bell rings and
in in realms where the bell rings and it’s time to perform yeah and speaking
it’s time to perform yeah and speaking
it’s time to perform yeah and speaking of performing who is this this is Milo
of performing who is this this is Milo
of performing who is this this is Milo Milo
Milo
Milo he’s our facially expressive
he’s our facially expressive
he’s our facially expressive and we use them to teach social and
and we use them to teach social and
and we use them to teach social and emotional skills to kids on the autism
emotional skills to kids on the autism
emotional skills to kids on the autism spectrum
spectrum
spectrum show me what happens alright so he is
show me what happens alright so he is
show me what happens alright so he is basically part of a classroom like a
basically part of a classroom like a
basically part of a classroom like a textbook that he’s a super high tech
textbook that he’s a super high tech
textbook that he’s a super high tech textbook exactly so we have a very
textbook exactly so we have a very
textbook exactly so we have a very comprehensive social and emotional
comprehensive social and emotional
comprehensive social and emotional learning curriculum for kids on the
learning curriculum for kids on the
learning curriculum for kids on the autism spectrum and Milo facilitates
autism spectrum and Milo facilitates
autism spectrum and Milo facilitates lessons so what we’ve seen is that the
lessons so what we’ve seen is that the
lessons so what we’ve seen is that the data shows that people on the autism
data shows that people on the autism
data shows that people on the autism spectrum only engage with their
spectrum only engage with their
spectrum only engage with their therapist in a traditional setting two
therapist in a traditional setting two
therapist in a traditional setting two to three percent of a session which if
to three percent of a session which if
to three percent of a session which if you think about that over 20 minutes
you think about that over 20 minutes
you think about that over 20 minutes non-consecutive Lee is sub 30 seconds so
non-consecutive Lee is sub 30 seconds so
non-consecutive Lee is sub 30 seconds so just think about this as any other type
just think about this as any other type
just think about this as any other type of education and you’ve only got your
of education and you’ve only got your
of education and you’ve only got your students for 30 seconds it’s hard to
students for 30 seconds it’s hard to
students for 30 seconds it’s hard to teach them anything so a lot of kids
teach them anything so a lot of kids
teach them anything so a lot of kids don’t make much progress in this
don’t make much progress in this
don’t make much progress in this traditional therapy model they engage
traditional therapy model they engage
traditional therapy model they engage eighty seven and a half percent of the
eighty seven and a half percent of the
eighty seven and a half percent of the time with Milo so this isn’t like a
time with Milo so this isn’t like a
time with Milo so this isn’t like a little bit different it is a complete
little bit different it is a complete
little bit different it is a complete and total paradigm shift
and total paradigm shift
and total paradigm shift so what Milo does is he basically
so what Milo does is he basically
so what Milo does is he basically explains a lesson concept so I’m gonna
explains a lesson concept so I’m gonna
explains a lesson concept so I’m gonna basically teach everyone how to say hi
basically teach everyone how to say hi
basically teach everyone how to say hi just basic intro to greetings
just basic intro to greetings
just basic intro to greetings he’ll speak kind of slowly and then
he’ll speak kind of slowly and then
he’ll speak kind of slowly and then you’ll see flashcards on his chest all
you’ll see flashcards on his chest all
you’ll see flashcards on his chest all the vocabulary is very consistent and
the vocabulary is very consistent and
the vocabulary is very consistent and then you’ll see videos on the tablet cuz
then you’ll see videos on the tablet cuz
then you’ll see videos on the tablet cuz it’s not just about you know the the
it’s not just about you know the the
it’s not just about you know the the concept we’re teaching you social
concept we’re teaching you social
concept we’re teaching you social interaction so you need to see it and
interaction so you need to see it and
interaction so you need to see it and then we quiz and so it’s basically a lot
then we quiz and so it’s basically a lot
then we quiz and so it’s basically a lot of repetition and reinforcement and then
of repetition and reinforcement and then
of repetition and reinforcement and then quizzing to track progress and that’s
quizzing to track progress and that’s
quizzing to track progress and that’s kind of the model of how this works so
kind of the model of how this works so
kind of the model of how this works so we’re gonna experience this the way a
we’re gonna experience this the way a
we’re gonna experience this the way a child right here it’d be a classroom
child right here it’d be a classroom
child right here it’d be a classroom setup yep from my load you take them
setup yep from my load you take them
setup yep from my load you take them through a lesson exactly alright alright
through a lesson exactly alright alright
through a lesson exactly alright alright so we’ll get him going
so we’ll get him going
so we’ll get him going take a second since we just turned him
take a second since we just turned him
take a second since we just turned him up if only we had like a student or
up if only we had like a student or
up if only we had like a student or better yet a US senator would be
better yet a US senator would be
better yet a US senator would be perfectly appropriate to go through this
perfectly appropriate to go through this
perfectly appropriate to go through this absolutely we’ve done this with US
absolutely we’ve done this with US
absolutely we’ve done this with US senators there we go
this is called reading when we greet a
this is called reading when we greet a friend we look at the friends face smile
friend we look at the friends face smile
friend we look at the friends face smile and say hi I can’t say hi to other kids
and say hi I can’t say hi to other kids
and say hi I can’t say hi to other kids I can say hi to grownups let’s see some
I can say hi to grownups let’s see some
I can say hi to grownups let’s see some of my French saying hi to each other
of my French saying hi to each other
of my French saying hi to each other look at the tablet
totally get it so now you’ve got the the
totally get it so now you’ve got the the child is seeing the a toy that’s not
child is seeing the a toy that’s not
child is seeing the a toy that’s not really a toy they’re seeing video which
really a toy they’re seeing video which
really a toy they’re seeing video which kids gravitate to you’ve got flashcards
kids gravitate to you’ve got flashcards
kids gravitate to you’ve got flashcards there how long did it take from a
there how long did it take from a
there how long did it take from a product perspective you know whether
product perspective you know whether
product perspective you know whether you’re making t-shirts in Berlin or
you’re making t-shirts in Berlin or
you’re making t-shirts in Berlin or you’re making something really
you’re making something really
you’re making something really complicated you know the development
complicated you know the development
complicated you know the development cycle is going to be there what was your
cycle is going to be there what was your
cycle is going to be there what was your development cycle on this in terms of
development cycle on this in terms of
development cycle on this in terms of the time to get the very very first one
the time to get the very very first one
the time to get the very very first one into a classroom maybe as the MVP a lot
into a classroom maybe as the MVP a lot
into a classroom maybe as the MVP a lot of entrepreneurs are reading the books
of entrepreneurs are reading the books
of entrepreneurs are reading the books that are out talking about Minimum
that are out talking about Minimum
that are out talking about Minimum Viable Product
Viable Product
Viable Product Eric Rhys lean startup what kind of time
Eric Rhys lean startup what kind of time
Eric Rhys lean startup what kind of time it take you to to get to that point so
it take you to to get to that point so
it take you to to get to that point so our first generation robots which were
our first generation robots which were
our first generation robots which were similar to this but a little bigger more
similar to this but a little bigger more
similar to this but a little bigger more complex
complex
complex it took about eight months before we had
it took about eight months before we had
it took about eight months before we had our first functional ish one but
our first functional ish one but
our first functional ish one but something our first kind of real
something our first kind of real
something our first kind of real functional prototype of what would
functional prototype of what would
functional prototype of what would become this it took almost two years of
become this it took almost two years of
become this it took almost two years of development to get in place and so we
development to get in place and so we
development to get in place and so we developed the first gen robot to have
developed the first gen robot to have
developed the first gen robot to have something fast to be able to start
something fast to be able to start
something fast to be able to start testing in a classroom and start working
testing in a classroom and start working
testing in a classroom and start working with autism experts to develop them of
with autism experts to develop them of
with autism experts to develop them of the curriculum and that was its own set
the curriculum and that was its own set
the curriculum and that was its own set of challenges because autism experts
of challenges because autism experts
of challenges because autism experts don’t think about how do you deliver
don’t think about how do you deliver
don’t think about how do you deliver this in a way that a robot can deliver
this in a way that a robot can deliver
this in a way that a robot can deliver it so it took finding the right people
it so it took finding the right people
it so it took finding the right people but the actual hardware first prototype
but the actual hardware first prototype
but the actual hardware first prototype I think we had that was good enough to
I think we had that was good enough to
I think we had that was good enough to put in a classroom was almost 2 years
put in a classroom was almost 2 years
put in a classroom was almost 2 years but that Minimum Viable Product to get
but that Minimum Viable Product to get
but that Minimum Viable Product to get some feedback in a real environment
some feedback in a real environment
some feedback in a real environment about eight months yeah which is quicker
about eight months yeah which is quicker
about eight months yeah which is quicker than I thought it would be so what was
than I thought it would be so what was
than I thought it would be so what was it like you know inside your company as
it like you know inside your company as
it like you know inside your company as you’re driving to that point to that
you’re driving to that point to that
you’re driving to that point to that eighth month to get the first one in
eighth month to get the first one in
eighth month to get the first one in there how did you keep the team
there how did you keep the team
there how did you keep the team motivated and what was special about
motivated and what was special about
motivated and what was special about that time we were still really operating
that time we were still really operating
that time we were still really operating out of a living room and so everyone was
out of a living room and so everyone was
out of a living room and so everyone was right there all the time the shop was
right there all the time the shop was
right there all the time the shop was literally a garage
literally a garage
literally a garage and a dining room table and we had some
and a dining room table and we had some
and a dining room table and we had some 3d printers and I think that was our
3d printers and I think that was our
3d printers and I think that was our like second equipment purchase as a
like second equipment purchase as a
like second equipment purchase as a company was a 3d printer you know the
company was a 3d printer you know the
company was a 3d printer you know the fun thing I guess with robotics is you
fun thing I guess with robotics is you
fun thing I guess with robotics is you do get to see some progress along the
do get to see some progress along the
do get to see some progress along the way as you build the arm and get some
way as you build the arm and get some
way as you build the arm and get some stuff off a 3d printer and start putting
stuff off a 3d printer and start putting
stuff off a 3d printer and start putting it together you know you get to see the
it together you know you get to see the
it together you know you get to see the little sub components and sub assemblies
little sub components and sub assemblies
little sub components and sub assemblies come together and get them moving and
come together and get them moving and
come together and get them moving and get them doing things and slowly you
get them doing things and slowly you
get them doing things and slowly you build up and put it together and so
build up and put it together and so
build up and put it together and so there were these kind of incremental
there were these kind of incremental
there were these kind of incremental pieces of progress like the very first
pieces of progress like the very first
pieces of progress like the very first just kind of here’s all the motors
just kind of here’s all the motors
just kind of here’s all the motors together and they work and we can
together and they work and we can
together and they work and we can control them I think we got that done in
control them I think we got that done in
control them I think we got that done in about two months and there was no
about two months and there was no
about two months and there was no aesthetic to it it was ugly as hell you
aesthetic to it it was ugly as hell you
aesthetic to it it was ugly as hell you know just laser-cut black box with
know just laser-cut black box with
know just laser-cut black box with motors just screwed into it and motors
motors just screwed into it and motors
motors just screwed into it and motors screwed two motors screwed two motors
screwed two motors screwed two motors
screwed two motors screwed two motors but it was enough to just test the idea
but it was enough to just test the idea
but it was enough to just test the idea in terms of can this robot stand up and
in terms of can this robot stand up and
in terms of can this robot stand up and all kinds of stuff like that the head
all kinds of stuff like that the head
all kinds of stuff like that the head and the face that’s kind of where a lot
and the face that’s kind of where a lot
and the face that’s kind of where a lot of our magic is because you know we’re
of our magic is because you know we’re
of our magic is because you know we’re we’re the only ones who do small scale
we’re the only ones who do small scale
we’re the only ones who do small scale expressive faces and we’re the only ones
expressive faces and we’re the only ones
expressive faces and we’re the only ones who do them in a mass-producible
who do them in a mass-producible
who do them in a mass-producible capacity and so that’s that’s really
capacity and so that’s that’s really
capacity and so that’s that’s really been something that sets us apart and so
been something that sets us apart and so
been something that sets us apart and so the original material we use for the
the original material we use for the
the original material we use for the original prototypes was very different
original prototypes was very different
original prototypes was very different than what we ended up with it was a cool
than what we ended up with it was a cool
than what we ended up with it was a cool material but when we transitioned to
material but when we transitioned to
material but when we transitioned to manufacture it turned out that it would
manufacture it turned out that it would
manufacture it turned out that it would cost more to make just the skin for the
cost more to make just the skin for the
cost more to make just the skin for the face then our budget for the entire
face then our budget for the entire
face then our budget for the entire robot and so had to go back to the
robot and so had to go back to the
robot and so had to go back to the drawing board on that and come up with
drawing board on that and come up with
drawing board on that and come up with something that was producible and like a
something that was producible and like a
something that was producible and like a traditional manufacturing scenario and
traditional manufacturing scenario and
traditional manufacturing scenario and so that’s one of those areas we learned
so that’s one of those areas we learned
so that’s one of those areas we learned a lot can you share maybe a mistake that
a lot can you share maybe a mistake that
a lot can you share maybe a mistake that happened early on it could be like a
happened early on it could be like a
happened early on it could be like a noble failure not some just blathering
noble failure not some just blathering
noble failure not some just blathering lee dumb mistake a lot of mistakes are
lee dumb mistake a lot of mistakes are
lee dumb mistake a lot of mistakes are just you know failures can you share
just you know failures can you share
just you know failures can you share something that happened that maybe
something that happened that maybe
something that happened that maybe didn’t have you know a Hollywood happy
didn’t have you know a Hollywood happy
didn’t have you know a Hollywood happy ending but we learned this and then we
ending but we learned this and then we
ending but we learned this and then we figured it out and the music played and
figured it out and the music played and
figured it out and the music played and we
we
we pulled it out of the ditch beyond a
pulled it out of the ditch beyond a
pulled it out of the ditch beyond a mistake I have a fail you have a fail
mistake I have a fail you have a fail
mistake I have a fail you have a fail well there’s got to be fails and
well there’s got to be fails and
well there’s got to be fails and software’s and product development
software’s and product development
software’s and product development because you’re building things so
because you’re building things so
because you’re building things so there’s got to be fails along the way
there’s got to be fails along the way
there’s got to be fails along the way what happened so I was at a conference
what happened so I was at a conference
what happened so I was at a conference and this was early on with one of our
and this was early on with one of our
and this was early on with one of our really early prototypes and everything
really early prototypes and everything
really early prototypes and everything was 3d printed and if you know how 3d
was 3d printed and if you know how 3d
was 3d printed and if you know how 3d printers work it’s all just layers and
printers work it’s all just layers and
printers work it’s all just layers and layers of plastic we’re on national
layers of plastic we’re on national
layers of plastic we’re on national television we’re doing an interview and
television we’re doing an interview and
television we’re doing an interview and the robots kind of smiling and doing its
the robots kind of smiling and doing its
the robots kind of smiling and doing its thing and the neck bracket breaks and
thing and the neck bracket breaks and
thing and the neck bracket breaks and the head just falls off and is hanging
the head just falls off and is hanging
the head just falls off and is hanging by wires and it’s still moving and you
by wires and it’s still moving and you
by wires and it’s still moving and you know in hindsight it’s hilarious and I
know in hindsight it’s hilarious and I
know in hindsight it’s hilarious and I was just frozen and mortified and they
was just frozen and mortified and they
was just frozen and mortified and they didn’t cut away from me for like 20
didn’t cut away from me for like 20
didn’t cut away from me for like 20 seconds those last two things we just
seconds those last two things we just
seconds those last two things we just talked about mistakes are really
talked about mistakes are really
talked about mistakes are really important lessons what are some tips
important lessons what are some tips
important lessons what are some tips that you would give people whether
that you would give people whether
that you would give people whether they’re doing something this complex or
they’re doing something this complex or
they’re doing something this complex or they’re doing something simple as making
they’re doing something simple as making
they’re doing something simple as making t-shirts in Berlin one of the tips I
t-shirts in Berlin one of the tips I
t-shirts in Berlin one of the tips I would give is whatever your product is
would give is whatever your product is
would give is whatever your product is get it in front of your actual customers
get it in front of your actual customers
get it in front of your actual customers as quickly as possible because it
as quickly as possible because it
as quickly as possible because it doesn’t matter how good your idea is in
doesn’t matter how good your idea is in
doesn’t matter how good your idea is in your mind until someone tells you
your mind until someone tells you
your mind until someone tells you they’ll give you money for it or
they’ll give you money for it or
they’ll give you money for it or actually gives you money for it you’ve
actually gives you money for it you’ve
actually gives you money for it you’ve had no validation as you grow don’t be
had no validation as you grow don’t be
had no validation as you grow don’t be afraid to scrap things you’ve done
afraid to scrap things you’ve done
afraid to scrap things you’ve done rebuild them completely because you know
rebuild them completely because you know
rebuild them completely because you know how to do it better and basically
how to do it better and basically
how to do it better and basically reprocess your entire organization at
reprocess your entire organization at
reprocess your entire organization at certain growth phases I think Guy
certain growth phases I think Guy
certain growth phases I think Guy Kawasaki and part of the start he says
Kawasaki and part of the start he says
Kawasaki and part of the start he says three in 10 rule basically every
three in 10 rule basically every
three in 10 rule basically every tripling of the size of your team all
tripling of the size of your team all
tripling of the size of your team all the process you’ve had in place no
the process you’ve had in place no
the process you’ve had in place no longer works and you need to rethink
longer works and you need to rethink
longer works and you need to rethink everything including your culture I’ve
everything including your culture I’ve
everything including your culture I’ve found that you know we’re kind of at the
found that you know we’re kind of at the
found that you know we’re kind of at the cusp of our next tripling I found that
cusp of our next tripling I found that
cusp of our next tripling I found that to be true even with where I’ve gone and
to be true even with where I’ve gone and
to be true even with where I’ve gone and I’ve seen it in friends organizations as
I’ve seen it in friends organizations as
I’ve seen it in friends organizations as well sometimes you build software that
well sometimes you build software that
well sometimes you build software that is great in your first thousand
is great in your first thousand
is great in your first thousand customers or your first ten thousand
customers or your first ten thousand
customers or your first ten thousand customers and it will not scale beyond
customers and it will not scale beyond
customers and it will not scale beyond that and if you try and hold on to it
that and if you try and hold on to it
that and if you try and hold on to it too long then you just you know suddenly
too long then you just you know suddenly
too long then you just you know suddenly you’re buying a tech s’more server time
you’re buying a tech s’more server time
you’re buying a tech s’more server time than you
than you
than you because you know their efficiencies you
because you know their efficiencies you
because you know their efficiencies you could build in but you’d have to tear it
could build in but you’d have to tear it
could build in but you’d have to tear it you know care it’s hard out of your
you know care it’s hard out of your
you know care it’s hard out of your current product and rebuild it and
current product and rebuild it and
current product and rebuild it and that’s scary just do it like hanging on
that’s scary just do it like hanging on
that’s scary just do it like hanging on to that stuff for too long cost you way
to that stuff for too long cost you way
to that stuff for too long cost you way more than you could ever imagine and
more than you could ever imagine and
more than you could ever imagine and I’ve done all of these things I’m
I’ve done all of these things I’m
I’ve done all of these things I’m recommending I’ve been on the other side
recommending I’ve been on the other side
recommending I’ve been on the other side of that and I’ve made the wrong decision
of that and I’ve made the wrong decision
of that and I’ve made the wrong decision at least some of the time and so I’ve
at least some of the time and so I’ve
at least some of the time and so I’ve I’ve learned it the hard way I’ve read
I’ve learned it the hard way I’ve read
I’ve learned it the hard way I’ve read what not to do and still done the wrong
what not to do and still done the wrong
what not to do and still done the wrong thing and you know that’s part of it
thing and you know that’s part of it
thing and you know that’s part of it right you know nothing’s perfect there’s
right you know nothing’s perfect there’s
right you know nothing’s perfect there’s never perfect efficiencies and what you
never perfect efficiencies and what you
never perfect efficiencies and what you do you grow and you learn and as you
do you grow and you learn and as you
do you grow and you learn and as you have more experience you’re able to make
have more experience you’re able to make
have more experience you’re able to make those decisions faster and recognize
those decisions faster and recognize
those decisions faster and recognize them earlier on and whatever your
them earlier on and whatever your
them earlier on and whatever your processes so going beyond you know
processes so going beyond you know
processes so going beyond you know mistakes and going beyond tips you know
mistakes and going beyond tips you know
mistakes and going beyond tips you know it’s really important to get out from
it’s really important to get out from
it’s really important to get out from behind the curtain that you’re working
behind the curtain that you’re working
behind the curtain that you’re working are there every day and really know is
are there every day and really know is
are there every day and really know is the product really working is it really
the product really working is it really
the product really working is it really being adopted and in the digital world
being adopted and in the digital world
being adopted and in the digital world we can look at views and how long people
we can look at views and how long people
we can look at views and how long people watch a video and things like this but
watch a video and things like this but
watch a video and things like this but it’s not always that easy measurement is
it’s not always that easy measurement is
it’s not always that easy measurement is really key what are your thoughts on
really key what are your thoughts on
really key what are your thoughts on that being able to kind of measure
that being able to kind of measure
that being able to kind of measure progress whatever that progress is is
progress whatever that progress is is
progress whatever that progress is is important so you need to put those tools
important so you need to put those tools
important so you need to put those tools in place with what we do it’s not always
in place with what we do it’s not always
in place with what we do it’s not always as easy but we’re also kind of jumping
as easy but we’re also kind of jumping
as easy but we’re also kind of jumping into a space where whatever little bits
into a space where whatever little bits
into a space where whatever little bits of measurement or data there have been
of measurement or data there have been
of measurement or data there have been have generally been subjective kind of
have generally been subjective kind of
have generally been subjective kind of feedback and observational data and no
feedback and observational data and no
feedback and observational data and no one’s really had hard data in the autism
one’s really had hard data in the autism
one’s really had hard data in the autism space and you know data is just kind of
space and you know data is just kind of
space and you know data is just kind of creeping its way into the education
creeping its way into the education
creeping its way into the education space more generally so in autism we’re
space more generally so in autism we’re
space more generally so in autism we’re coming into a space where we’re able to
coming into a space where we’re able to
coming into a space where we’re able to as we start working with students
as we start working with students
as we start working with students baseline them in a number of different
baseline them in a number of different
baseline them in a number of different areas and then measure their progress in
areas and then measure their progress in
areas and then measure their progress in terms of through the course in a real
terms of through the course in a real
terms of through the course in a real quantifiable way and show it and it’s
quantifiable way and show it and it’s
quantifiable way and show it and it’s important especially in autism because
important especially in autism because
important especially in autism because kids are so different
kids are so different
kids are so different no one’s the same to baseline them and
no one’s the same to baseline them and
no one’s the same to baseline them and so you’re measuring their own progress
so you’re measuring their own progress
so you’re measuring their own progress against their starting point and then in
against their starting point and then in
against their starting point and then in aggregate were able to show you know a
aggregate were able to show you know a
aggregate were able to show you know a teacher or an administrator here’s the
teacher or an administrator here’s the
teacher or an administrator here’s the impact the program is having and because
impact the program is having and because
impact the program is having and because education is a weird space unto itself
education is a weird space unto itself
education is a weird space unto itself because the end users are the teachers
because the end users are the teachers
because the end users are the teachers and the students but the people making
and the students but the people making
and the students but the people making the purchasing decisions are special ed
the purchasing decisions are special ed
the purchasing decisions are special ed directors principals superintendents
directors principals superintendents
directors principals superintendents state-level special ed directors and we
state-level special ed directors and we
state-level special ed directors and we learn you know through a lot of
learn you know through a lot of
learn you know through a lot of experience that you need to make sure
experience that you need to make sure
experience that you need to make sure you keep those individuals in forms so
you keep those individuals in forms so
you keep those individuals in forms so what I care about most is kind of impact
what I care about most is kind of impact
what I care about most is kind of impact we’re having on the student and not even
we’re having on the student and not even
we’re having on the student and not even about how they’re doing with the robot
about how they’re doing with the robot
about how they’re doing with the robot we’re working with kids on the spectrum
we’re working with kids on the spectrum
we’re working with kids on the spectrum some of whom are non-verbal
some of whom are non-verbal
some of whom are non-verbal non-communicative and if they have you
non-communicative and if they have you
non-communicative and if they have you know and they’ve been in years of
know and they’ve been in years of
know and they’ve been in years of therapy and are still there and in the
therapy and are still there and in the
therapy and are still there and in the most extreme cases two three sessions
most extreme cases two three sessions
most extreme cases two three sessions after they start working with our robots
after they start working with our robots
after they start working with our robots they go home
they go home
they go home they say hi to their parents for the
they say hi to their parents for the
they say hi to their parents for the first time they start participating in
first time they start participating in
first time they start participating in class and now they’re making you know
class and now they’re making you know
class and now they’re making you know real measurable progress and
real measurable progress and
real measurable progress and observational progress because I care
observational progress because I care
observational progress because I care about generalization of the skills we’re
about generalization of the skills we’re
about generalization of the skills we’re teaching these kids not how they’re
teaching these kids not how they’re
teaching these kids not how they’re doing with the robot and so that makes
doing with the robot and so that makes
doing with the robot and so that makes it even kind of harder to measure
it even kind of harder to measure
it even kind of harder to measure sometimes kids don’t do that well on our
sometimes kids don’t do that well on our
sometimes kids don’t do that well on our quizzes and stuff like that but we get
quizzes and stuff like that but we get
quizzes and stuff like that but we get feedback that they’re doing really well
feedback that they’re doing really well
feedback that they’re doing really well in the real world and they’re practicing
in the real world and they’re practicing
in the real world and they’re practicing how to say hi and things like that well
how to say hi and things like that well
how to say hi and things like that well you’ve made a lot of progress come a
you’ve made a lot of progress come a
you’ve made a lot of progress come a long way some very fulfilling moments as
long way some very fulfilling moments as
long way some very fulfilling moments as you know a CTO and a co-founder what is
you know a CTO and a co-founder what is
you know a CTO and a co-founder what is next for the company is it expansion is
next for the company is it expansion is
next for the company is it expansion is it Milo 2.0 is it raising money and how
it Milo 2.0 is it raising money and how
it Milo 2.0 is it raising money and how are you or your dad working together as
are you or your dad working together as
are you or your dad working together as entrepreneurs to address those
entrepreneurs to address those
entrepreneurs to address those challenges so in terms of what’s next we
challenges so in terms of what’s next we
challenges so in terms of what’s next we are looking to raise more money and this
are looking to raise more money and this
are looking to raise more money and this time it’s we’re really looking at kind
time it’s we’re really looking at kind
time it’s we’re really looking at kind of strategic money with people that are
of strategic money with people that are
of strategic money with people that are in the education space that are you know
in the education space that are you know
in the education space that are you know adding value and that’s something that
adding value and that’s something that
adding value and that’s something that you know once you’ve made enough
you know once you’ve made enough
you know once you’ve made enough progress you sometimes have the luxury
progress you sometimes have the luxury
progress you sometimes have the luxury to be able to do is kind of pick who’s
to be able to do is kind of pick who’s
to be able to do is kind of pick who’s giving you money
giving you money
giving you money and so I mean ultimately for any
and so I mean ultimately for any
and so I mean ultimately for any entrepreneur if you can you know pick
entrepreneur if you can you know pick
entrepreneur if you can you know pick who’s giving you money and make sure
who’s giving you money and make sure
who’s giving you money and make sure that it’s more than just money that they
that it’s more than just money that they
that it’s more than just money that they have relationships that are valuable to
have relationships that are valuable to
have relationships that are valuable to you that they can kind of expand your
you that they can kind of expand your
you that they can kind of expand your network and help bring people in to help
network and help bring people in to help
network and help bring people in to help you and if you’re raising enough money
you and if you’re raising enough money
you and if you’re raising enough money that people are joining your board that
that people are joining your board that
that people are joining your board that you like having them in your lives on a
you like having them in your lives on a
you like having them in your lives on a regular basis and that they’ll follow
regular basis and that they’ll follow
regular basis and that they’ll follow through on tasks you give them because
through on tasks you give them because
through on tasks you give them because you should always put your board to work
you should always put your board to work
you should always put your board to work that’s that’s kind of you know the best
that’s that’s kind of you know the best
that’s that’s kind of you know the best thing you can do and then in terms of
thing you can do and then in terms of
thing you can do and then in terms of product we’ve just launched our new
product we’ve just launched our new
product we’ve just launched our new computer science course called robots
computer science course called robots
computer science course called robots for stem we’re teaching elementary
for stem we’re teaching elementary
for stem we’re teaching elementary school kids to code using these same
school kids to code using these same
school kids to code using these same robots but a very different curriculum
robots but a very different curriculum
robots but a very different curriculum and the challenge there has been
and the challenge there has been
and the challenge there has been elementary schools don’t generally have
elementary schools don’t generally have
elementary schools don’t generally have teachers who know how to teach coding so
teachers who know how to teach coding so
teachers who know how to teach coding so we’ve developed a course that a gym
we’ve developed a course that a gym
we’ve developed a course that a gym teacher or a librarian can be teaching
teacher or a librarian can be teaching
teacher or a librarian can be teaching kids to code in 20 minutes of training
kids to code in 20 minutes of training
kids to code in 20 minutes of training and that is going out into the first 50
and that is going out into the first 50
and that is going out into the first 50 schools in just a few weeks coding is a
schools in just a few weeks coding is a
schools in just a few weeks coding is a huge topic and the product line
huge topic and the product line
huge topic and the product line extending now into teaching really
extending now into teaching really
extending now into teaching really really young students young children
really young students young children
really young students young children coding really strikes something before
coding really strikes something before
coding really strikes something before he left a CEO of GE Jeff Immelt said
he left a CEO of GE Jeff Immelt said
he left a CEO of GE Jeff Immelt said that the new GE everyone was going to
that the new GE everyone was going to
that the new GE everyone was going to learn a little bit about coding and the
learn a little bit about coding and the
learn a little bit about coding and the reason is because we’re increasingly
reason is because we’re increasingly
reason is because we’re increasingly gonna live in a data world and while you
gonna live in a data world and while you
gonna live in a data world and while you may not be doing the coding you need to
may not be doing the coding you need to
may not be doing the coding you need to understand whether it’s coding data base
understand whether it’s coding data base
understand whether it’s coding data base reports or things like that have a
reports or things like that have a
reports or things like that have a functional understanding of the basics
functional understanding of the basics
functional understanding of the basics of coding so that you can be a better
of coding so that you can be a better
of coding so that you can be a better client asking IT to turnaround projects
client asking IT to turnaround projects
client asking IT to turnaround projects to you so that you get output that’s
to you so that you get output that’s
to you so that you get output that’s going to be you know more dynamic
going to be you know more dynamic
going to be you know more dynamic reports deeper AI inferences into the
reports deeper AI inferences into the
reports deeper AI inferences into the data sets that you have so that you can
data sets that you have so that you can
data sets that you have so that you can get your job done and make more informed
get your job done and make more informed
get your job done and make more informed decisions and so this is teaching coding
decisions and so this is teaching coding
decisions and so this is teaching coding to people at that are in this shall we
to people at that are in this shall we
to people at that are in this shall we say the last third of their career and
say the last third of their career and
say the last third of their career and here you’re going to children who are
here you’re going to children who are
here you’re going to children who are barely in the first third of life and
barely in the first third of life and
barely in the first third of life and you’re putting things in the classroom
you’re putting things in the classroom
you’re putting things in the classroom to help them code I mean I think that
to help them code I mean I think that
to help them code I mean I think that phenomenal absolutely well how’s the
phenomenal absolutely well how’s the
phenomenal absolutely well how’s the dynamic with your dad as you plan for
dynamic with your dad as you plan for
dynamic with your dad as you plan for the future he’s staying in you’re gonna
the future he’s staying in you’re gonna
the future he’s staying in you’re gonna help him retire or what’s happening here
help him retire or what’s happening here
help him retire or what’s happening here I think he’s staying in every time he’s
I think he’s staying in every time he’s
I think he’s staying in every time he’s retired as I’ve grown up has been just
retired as I’ve grown up has been just
retired as I’ve grown up has been just real tough on me because he’s he’s a
real tough on me because he’s he’s a
real tough on me because he’s he’s a restless person he doesn’t sit still
restless person he doesn’t sit still
restless person he doesn’t sit still well and neither do I so I think I get
well and neither do I so I think I get
well and neither do I so I think I get that from him but you know I think for
that from him but you know I think for
that from him but you know I think for both of us we’ve always said that if we
both of us we’ve always said that if we
both of us we’ve always said that if we grow to a point where we’re no longer
grow to a point where we’re no longer
grow to a point where we’re no longer useful that’s when we’re out until then
useful that’s when we’re out until then
useful that’s when we’re out until then so long as it’s kind of you know we’re
so long as it’s kind of you know we’re
so long as it’s kind of you know we’re building the vision and we we feel like
building the vision and we we feel like
building the vision and we we feel like we’re the people who can actually
we’re the people who can actually
we’re the people who can actually accomplish it and achieve it where we’re
accomplish it and achieve it where we’re
accomplish it and achieve it where we’re staying hey thank you so much it’s been
staying hey thank you so much it’s been
staying hey thank you so much it’s been a pleasure to have you here and you know
a pleasure to have you here and you know
a pleasure to have you here and you know on a beard business we want to bring
on a beard business we want to bring
on a beard business we want to bring entrepreneurs to you so they can bring
entrepreneurs to you so they can bring
entrepreneurs to you so they can bring you tips tricks and experiences so
you tips tricks and experiences so
you tips tricks and experiences so whether you’re making jelly in Belarus
whether you’re making jelly in Belarus
whether you’re making jelly in Belarus or a t-shirt company in Berlin or you
or a t-shirt company in Berlin or you
or a t-shirt company in Berlin or you making robots in Dallas Texas the path
making robots in Dallas Texas the path
making robots in Dallas Texas the path of entrepreneurship can be a little bit
of entrepreneurship can be a little bit
of entrepreneurship can be a little bit easier for you until next time I’m
easier for you until next time I’m
easier for you until next time I’m Thomas we’re at the biz doc and I hope
Thomas we’re at the biz doc and I hope
Thomas we’re at the biz doc and I hope we left you better than we found you