Every new technology sparks a wave of innovation, and Promtior aims to capture this value. Read on to learn what the team is doing and how their story began

Q: What was the initial idea that led to the creation of Promtior? What did that process look like?

A: Since I was a kid, I knew I was destined for a career in technology. After 15 years working for tech companies, mostly startups, I was tired of the routine. In 2021, even before the launch of ChatGPT, I began exploring Generative AI technologies, which reignited my passion and connected me back to my childhood dreams. At that time, I was leading a team of 90 tech professionals within a company of 400 workers, generating $100 million in revenue. We started to experience those growing pains, and like any other CTO, I was seeking new technologies to create an advantage. I searched for consultants to help us implement Generative AI at an organizational level but couldn’t find any. This realization presented a business opportunity, so I reached out to Joaco, and we decided to start a business together. When ChatGPT was released in November 2022, it confirmed our decision to focus entirely on Promtior. 

Q: Can you describe some of the biggest challenges you faced as the founder of Promtior?

A: The AI field currently feels like quicksand; the platforms are immature. Even major companies like Apple are taking risks by integrating AI into their devices. The biggest challenge is making wise decisions amidst such disruption. New technologies often seem like gold, but many turn out to be plastic. It’s crucial to stay focused on our strategy and keep the team committed to continuous improvement, learning, and development. 

Q: What sets Promtior apart from others in the market? What unique value proposition do you offer?

A: Like many other Generative AI companies, we don’t have a moat. However, our senior team of founders have extensive experience in building complex systems in large teams within challenging markets. This gives us an advantage when working with clients, as we understand their pains and fears regarding new technology implementation. This has become a big commercial differentiator, and we’ve already grown to 25 clients, adding two more each month. After a year of uncertainty, our deep knowledge of Generative AI and organizational adoption has set us apart. We aim to commercialize this service through a book we plan to publish annually, staying ahead of the curve and providing valuable insights to our clients. 

Q: What role do you see Promtior playing in the broader tech ecosystem over the next five years? 

A: I believe we are still not at the ideal time globally to build tech products. Promtior is focused on Generative AI, so instead of creating products, we aim to continually reinvent our service. Whether we have a team of 1,000 or 50 in five years, the goal is to be the best option for businesses needing to reinvent themselves, providing clear and precise guidance. 

Q: What has been a personal mantra? 

A: I’m a big fan of Robert Greene’s “The Laws of Human Nature,” especially the chapter on attitude. My mantra is that the only thing that is truly mine and unchangeable by others is my attitude. This philosophy is central to Promtior’s values, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude.  

Joaquin Avalos, Co-Founder and CBO at Promtior & Emiliano Chinelli Co-Founder and CEO at Promtior

Q: Tell us about your journey with Mana Tech. What was your experience in the accelerator program? How do you feel about being part of Miami’s growing tech community?

A: Initially, Promtior focused on selling technology to the US. However, as we experienced significant growth in the Latin American market, we lost focus on the US. Thanks to Mana Tech and their program with Microsoft, they helped us shift back to prioritize entering the US market. Also, the Microsoft AI Latino Immersion Program and the Miami tech ecosystem accelerated our progress, helping us gain our first US leads.

Miami serves as a crucial gateway for Latin American companies to enter the US market. Sharing the similar time zones and cultural features makes it easier to operate. The growing Hispanic presence in Miami reinforces our strategy and provides a supportive community.   

Want to have your startup story told? Join our next Miami Immersion Program and let us spotlight your entrepreneurial journey!

Apply Here

The post Startup Spotlight: Promtior appeared first on Mana Tech.

This experience was pivotal for Marjorie, solidifying her commitment to entrepreneurship. She pursued a master’s degree in entrepreneurship for youth and children and received a scholarship to study at Columbia University in 2018. Midway through her studies, she conceived the idea for Little Rebels. Continue reading to discover her story creating and growing Little Rebels. 

Q: What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of Little Rebels? What did that process look like?

A: During ‘Tedybujo’, I realized the ‘one-drawing, one-plush’ model wasn’t scalable. I wanted to make a bigger impact… One day, while studying with my daughter, I noticed her books featured only men, no women. I searched online for ways to teach her about women in history but found limited resources. Knowing we learn best through play, I had an ‘aha’ moment: why not turn my plush dolls into famous women from history? This sparked the idea for Little Rebels.

The dolls were designed to look like relatable, cute Disney princesses, such as Elsa from ‘Frozen.’ The first sample I made was Frida Kahlo. Right before traveling to New York for my master’s at Columbia, a local Uruguayan newspaper featured me. I shared a picture of the Frida doll and, upon landing, found my phone exploded with messages, including one from the U.S. State Department asking if I had enough inventory for them to Tweet about it.

I was initially confused because ‘Tedybujo’ did not have inventory, it was one drawing, one plush. However, the article that originally was about a failed attempt as an entrepreneur, turned out to be a story about how I was launching a new toy line inspired by women in history, media inquiries and order requests flooded in. I proposed shifting my Columbia dissertation focus to Little Rebels, and within three months, developed a business plan and partnered with the Malala Foundation. Despite my mentor dismissing the plan as unviable, I secretly advanced Little Rebels while presenting a decoy plan for ‘Tedybujo’.

In January 2019, I presented both plans but even then I didn’t receive my diploma, leading to a deep depression that drove me to set the project aside. Then, in August 2019, I saw an ad from Women in Toys calling for ideas to pitch to big toy companies. I applied, was selected, and traveled to Dallas to meet with companies like Walmart and Hasbro. The feedback was amazing, but they wanted more educational content. So, we developed an app for the dolls in three months and won an award for best toy. This recognition led to our kickstarter campaign in March 2020, during the pandemic. Despite challenges, I successfully launched Little Rebels around September 2020.

Q: Could you describe some of the biggest challenges you faced as the founder of Little Rebels?

A: Starting Little Rebels has been a constant challenge, especially as a woman from Latin America entering the North American toy market, where I’m up against giants like Mattel. Plus, being a single mom and having to manage a business without a team, means I’ve had to wear all the hats.

However, the biggest challenge I would say, is funding. Everything I did since the beginning was 100 percent bootstrap. Every time I pitch, the fact that I’m a solo founder becomes a huge con for everybody. This bothered me because Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are solo founders and nobody ever questioned them. Why? Because they’re men. It bothers people to see that I am a woman launching a business by myself and I am crushing it. 

Q: What sets Little Rebels apart from others in the toy market? What unique value proposition do you offer?

A: We educate and empower the next generation of leaders—both girls and boys—by promoting equity. Unlike competitors like Barbie, who only dress as historical figures, our dolls resemble children, making them more relatable. They don’t have a specific body shape, ensuring that all children can connect with them. 

Our dolls come with a comprehensive educational suite—videos, an app, eBooks, augmented reality, and trivia—allowing children the tools to learn and feel inspired. You can even scan the dolls’ faces to access an interactive menu, a feature no other toy offers. 

Marjorie Spitlanik surrounded by Little Rebels
Q: What has been the most rewarding moment for you since starting Little Rebels?

A: Winning the Tagie Award, the Emmys of the toy industry, was a big one. We also received a nomination alongside Baby Yoda for the industry’s ‘Oscars,’ a true wow moment. Being recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the toy industry was also a significant honor.

However, the most rewarding moments are personal. Parents have told me their children can’t sleep without my dolls or take them everywhere. One mother showed me a video of her daughter eagerly awaiting new doll releases to learn more. Another moment was when a friend’s daughter asked for another Marie Curie doll to give her friend so she could learn her story. These moments show that children are genuinely interested in the women represented by Little Rebels and are excited to share their stories. 

Q: What role do you see Little Rebels playing in the broader tech ecosystem in the next five years? 

A: The main goal with Little Rebels is to have at least one doll from every country and from each professional background. The idea is to demonstrate that it doesn’t matter where you come from, how old you are and what your background is, you can do whatever you set your mind to.

That said, in five years, I envision Little Rebels in every country, capturing the diversity of women worldwide. Additionally, we’re launching a TV show. Hopefully, by then, you’ll be decorating your entire room with Little Rebels, celebrating your love for their adventures.

Lastly, we plan to launch the Little Rebels Foundation to develop educational programs specifically for girls in various countries who lack access to education.

Q: Tell us about your journey with Mana Tech. What was your experience in the accelerator program? 

A: Mana Tech was an unexpected surprise. Initially, I wasn’t sure if it was for me since I’m already in the U.S. and have been part of many accelerators. Since I’m always eager to learn, I decided to join. The experience exceeded my expectations—the learning, sharing, networking, and support were exceptional, not just during the week in Miami but throughout the entire program.

Through Mana Tech, I secured a deal to distribute Little Rebels worldwide and will be traveling to Brazil to speak about my journey. Additionally, another founder, Caetano Altafin from Woof, chose to invest, providing both financial backing and invaluable knowledge. His support for my story and Little Rebels’ mission means the world to me. I’m extremely grateful for the mentors and the incredible opportunities I have experienced thanks to Mana Tech.

Q: As a Latina founder, what do you think about Miami becoming the next tech hub? How do you feel about being part of this ever growing tech community?

A: I never viewed Miami as a tech hub, but more for tourism. However, when I was there, I was surprised by its collaborative entrepreneur scene, not limited to tech. The atmosphere is very Latin, unlike my earlier U.S. experiences where people often charged for introductions. In Miami, founders freely share advice and connections, creating a supporting community.

Want to have your startup story told? Join our next Miami Immersion Program and let us spotlight your entrepreneurial journey!

Apply Here

The post Startup Spotlight: Little Rebels appeared first on Mana Tech.

The Simplex team participated in the inaugural edition of the Microsoft AI Latino Immersion Program and recently returned for the second edition to share valuable insights with entrepreneurs about their journey and progress since their initial visit to Miami.

Discover the tech-inspired story of this remarkable innovator and learn how he built his startup from the ground up, powered by values.

Q: Can you tell me about your background? Where are you from? What was your academic journey like?

A: I was born and raised in Chile, where I pursued an academic career in industrial civil engineering. Following in my family’s footsteps, engineering felt like a natural fit… Throughout my academic journey, I maintained a great interest in technology, often exploring electronics and software development. During my college years, I started selling websites to businesses, gradually transitioning to software development to meet clients’ needs… Learning the ins and outs of the technology firsthand, I sold software initially, later discovering the benefits of offering it as a service. This decision to rent rather than sell created longer-term client relationships and a deeper understanding of their needs. After graduating, instead of immediately diving into entrepreneurship, I opted to gain corporate experience, working in business intelligence roles at major retail companies in Chile. It was during this time that the idea for Simplex emerged. Seven years ago, I partnered with someone who shared my vision, and we launched the company.

Q: What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of your startup? What did that process look like?

A: The initial spark for Simplex came from two key principles: Firstly, the desire to build a business based on intangibles, avoiding the complexities of raw materials and logistics. Secondly, the pursuit of passive income, driven by a recognition of the high barriers to entry in specialized industries like software development.

Identifying a significant knowledge gap in the industry, I set out to simplify the software development process. This led to the creation of Codelex (by Simplex), a low-code technology solution that streamlines development by offering a more intuitive interface. With Codelex, we aimed to democratize software development, enabling faster production with fewer skilled resources. By leveraging Codelex, we’ve been able to rapidly produce software solutions. This approach has proven competitive in terms of time to market, allowing us to allocate resources efficiently and drive innovation within Simplex.

Q: Could you describe some of the biggest challenges you faced as a founder of Simplex?

A: The journey of building the company was filled with challenges beyond just developing a business model. Working with people meant shaping an organizational culture, a constant challenge, as startups must innovate continuously. Innovation demands flexibility, as what worked a year ago might be obsolete today… Also, leading a diverse team is complex. Individuals have different interpretations, paces, and knowledge levels. So, keeping everyone aligned is key, and declaring values guides decision-making amid constant change.

Q: Why did you decide to expand your business into the US? Why not stay in Chile? 

A: The decision to expand to the US was driven by the limitations of the Chilean market, which is demanding but offers less depth compared to larger markets like the US. In Chile, businesses often need to diversify or rely heavily on a few large companies. On the other hand, the US market provides opportunities for specialization and deeper industry engagement… While other Latin American markets have potential, they may lack necessary formalities or present cultural challenges. Targeting a first-world market like the US or Europe offers attractive opportunities for growth and expansion.

Q: What sets Simplex apart from others in the space? What unique value proposition do you offer?

A: Our unique value proposition lies in our focus on rapid time-to-market. Unlike traditional software companies that prolong the process to maximize rental revenue, we prioritize swiftly solving customer problems. By minimizing deployment time and effort, we quickly deliver value, ensuring a seamless transition for the customer. We absorb cybersecurity costs, offering hassle-free infrastructure tailored to their needs without additional user-based fees. This approach makes us the fastest in our category, prioritizing customer success and efficiency.

Q: What has been the most rewarding moment for you since starting Simplex?

A: One of the most rewarding moments as an entrepreneur was reaching our first million in sales, signifying our ability to deliver value and better service to our customers. Another significant moment has been realizing that our company’s value extends beyond serving customers to making a positive impact in our ecosystem through social initiatives. Being part of projects that benefit people without a direct economic interest has been immensely gratifying. Another grand milestone for us would be partnering with major global companies such as Ikea, allowing us to set the pace in our industry and validate our path and commitment to generative solutions.

Q: What role do you see Simplex playing in the broader tech ecosystem in the next five years? 

A: In the next five years, we aim to implement cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and generative solutions in specific segments such as retail and banking. We anticipate making significant impacts in Latin America and expanding into first-world markets, particularly in the US. Our focus is on collaborating with market leaders to innovate and address key challenges, with a priority on providing solutions for larger enterprises.

Mario and Cristián Ojeda with their company mantra

Q: Can you share a personal mantra or philosophy that guides your approach to leadership and decision-making within your company?

A: Absolutely! This year we solidified our belief that knowledge (conocimiento) and talent (talento) are essential factors that add to your work. However, it’s attitude (actitud) that multiplies and value is the exponential in growth. Embracing a value-driven management approach is challenging. It’s about managing based on principles rather than solely technical abilities, which can be more complex and perhaps more costly, but it’s ultimately more meaningful. Our teams consist of individuals who not only share but also live by these values.

Q: Tell us about your journey with Mana Tech and Microsoft. What was your experience being part of the accelerator program? 

A: Last year, Microsoft invited us to participate in Mana Tech’s accelerator program. It offered us a transformative experience beyond just the program. We benefited from invaluable support, mentorship, and networking opportunities, validating our ideas and strategies. It’s a space where like-minded founders interchange ideas and experiences and are able to nurture innovation. It also taught us the importance of emphasizing specialization in a competitive market such as the US, and highlighted the value of community for growth and collaboration… The Microsoft and Mana Tech community provided a supportive ecosystem, facilitating connections, knowledge-sharing, and business opportunities. It enriched our understanding of the global tech community and its diverse perspectives and initiatives. 

Apply to our next Miami Immersion Program and join the ever-growing community of international tech entrepreneurs.

Apply Here

The post Startup Spotlight: We Are Simplex! appeared first on Mana Tech.