Back to Blog
Lessons from Founders
Convi: From Minecraft to AI Videos with Daniel Holler
Antony Gutsa
Co-founder of Convi.io
Sep 6, 2024
Can you tell us a bit about your background and the story behind Convi?
Absolutely! So, I started getting into tech when I was around 12 or 13. I was tinkering with HTML and CSS, making these tiny websites. My very first one was just a bit of text and a red ball. Around the same time, Minecraft was huge, and I got into running my own server. That got me deep into Java programming, building all sorts of plugins for the game. I ended up making some popular ones that got a lot of downloads, and before I knew it, I was working on big Minecraft servers. This whole experience really set the stage for my technical skills.
Convi kicked off as a custom software development agency that I started with my co-founder, Henry, while we were still in university. Henry graduated and went back to the States, so I had to step up and learn sales and marketing, which he used to handle. We stumbled upon the idea of using personalized videos in cold emails, and that’s how Convi was born. At first, it was just about recording a video that scrolled through a prospect’s website with a personalized touch. Then we evolved to include AI for voice cloning and other cool personalization features.
What inspired you to become a founder? Was there a specific moment or experience that supported this decision?
I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit and never really fit into the traditional job mold. I actually dropped out of university to focus on business full-time. There wasn't a single moment that made me decide to become a founder; it was more a series of experiences. Seeing the impact of my work on Minecraft servers and the satisfaction of creating functional products really fueled my drive to start my own company.
Can you describe the initial steps you took to turn your idea into a reality?
Initially, I was our first customer. We started by leveraging our network and selling lifetime deals to validate the concept. I reached out to people I knew from marketing communities and got them on board. Then we focused on building the MVP using various APIs to speed up development. It was crucial to validate the idea quickly and make sure there was a market for our product before investing too much time and resources.
How did your initial idea evolve?
The core idea of personalized videos has stayed the same, but the target audience and the product's complexity have changed a lot. At first, we focused on cold email marketing, but we quickly realized that the volume needed for cold email campaigns didn't match our cost structure. We pivoted to focus on high-value personalized interactions, improving the AI to make the videos more realistic and engaging. We also streamlined our features, cutting out about 80% of the initial code to focus on what really adds value for our users.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in the first year, and how did you overcome them?
One of the toughest challenges was figuring out what to build and when. It was easy to get caught up in adding features and building the product, but we had to learn to prioritize and balance development with sales and marketing. We also faced the challenge of scaling our technology, especially the AI components. We overcame these challenges by focusing on a specific niche, listening to customer feedback, and being willing to iterate and remove features that didn't provide value.
Can you share an example of a major risk you took with your startup? What was the outcome, and what did you learn from it?
A significant risk we took was deciding to build our AI voice cloning technology in-house instead of relying on external APIs. This decision meant a longer development timeline and higher upfront costs, but it gave us complete control over the quality and performance of our product. The outcome was positive as it allowed us to deliver a more seamless and cost-effective solution. The key takeaway was that sometimes taking a more challenging path can lead to a better product and greater control over your business.
Have you had any advisors or mentors along the way? How have they influenced your journey?
We haven't had any formal advisors, but I've reached out to various people who have built similar products or have experience in our industry. These conversations have been incredibly valuable, saving us time and helping us avoid common pitfalls. One example is reaching out to the founder of another video software company who provided insights into onboarding and scaling. These interactions reinforced the importance of seeking advice and learning from those who have already walked the path.
What key lessons have you learned that you wish you knew when you first started?
Firstly, learning how to market effectively is crucial. As a technical founder, it's easy to focus solely on building the product, but understanding how to get it in front of people is equally important. Secondly, creating content and building a personal brand can significantly enhance your reach and influence. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask for help. Many experienced entrepreneurs are willing to share their knowledge if you just reach out.