GRIT EDITION THREE - Flipbook - Page 29
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STRONGEST TEAM
CLASS OF 2020
B2B QUOTES
ORIGAMI XR
Co-founded by Mathieu Plante & Alexandre Vanier; Next AI - Montreal
Co-founded by Alannah O’Neill & Erik Peterson; Next AI - Toronto
B2B Quotes is a web platform helping businesses get in
touch with the most relevant providers for their business
needs such as web and marketing.
Origami is a cloud computing tool that makes it easy to create
and share volumetric augmented and virtual reality experiences.
As the first truly scalable spatial computing workflow, they
enable the future of remote work for 3D professionals.
Co-founder Alannah previously worked as an editor at ELLE Canada magazine
and as a strategic communications and marketing consultant for media companies.
Co-founder Erik first started working in spatial computing in 2003 at Columbia
University's AR/VR lab using military grade equipment. He was also IndieGogo's
first employee and worked at Goldman Sachs.
WHAT MAKES YOU GREAT CO-FOUNDERS? We have very different and complementary skill
sets and experience. While Erik’s background is mainly in technology development and management, Alannah has focused on communications and operations.
DESCRIBE EACH OTHER IN A FEW WORDS:
Alannah: Erik is a natural leader and his technical skills constantly amaze me. His trend forecasting and analysis in the field of spatial computing has continually given us a head start.
Erik: Alannah has an innate ability to manage and juggle multiple threads making sure nothing
gets dropped. On top of that, she can translate
a complex technical space into concise and
easily digestible language. Her secret
weapon, that gives us a huge cultural
advantage, is her ability to judge
character quickly.
WHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
Alannah: I saw an opportunity to
build a big Canadian company,
and it was too good to pass up.
Head of tech and product, Alex, is a serial entrepreneur, business advisor,
product manager and experienced web developer. Alex was the first investor
and interim CTO at Planned and co-founded Poches & Fils. CEO Mathieu is an
established entrepreneur and successful real estate investor with over 15 years
of experience in sales and marketing in both B2C and B2B.
WHAT MAKES YOU A STRONG CO-FOUNDING TEAM? We are very different but with
very complementary skill sets. Mathieu is a serial founder with a strong sales background
and Alex has experience as a founder, product leader, and investor across e-commerce,
marketplace, and SaaS.
Beyond our different backgrounds, we both have industry and team management expertise, so we are well positioned to scale. Plus, we’re both parents so we have a similar
approach to problem solving compared to other entrepreneurs at different life stages.
Going through (personal and professional) high and lows together reinforces that we
can all count on each other no matter the situation.
WHAT IMPRESSES YOU MOST ABOUT EACH OTHER?
“Mathieu is one of the most impressive go-getters that I’ve met since I started doing
business over 10 years ago. There is nothing he can’t sell and almost no one he can’t
convince.” - Alex
“Alex’s extensive background and vision have
allowed B2B to evolve and gain momentum at
a speed that I really didn’t expect. I partnered
with him for his tech experience and startup
mindset, but he adapted to the company’s
needs and was able to positively impact almost every team unit at B2B” - Mathieu
Erik: I like to tackle big
problems.
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