We Build Bots won the Technology Start-Up of the Year Award, kindly sponsored by IQE. We caught up with them after their win to find out a bit more:
1.) How did it feel to win a Wales Start-Up-Award?
It felt incredible! Last year at the Wales Start-Up Awards we were thrilled to win Innovative Start-Up so this year we weren't sure whether we could strike lucky two years running.
We started this year by winning the Sir Michael Moritz Start-up of the Year Award at Wales Tech Awards which was a fantastic achievement for us. We were also shortlisted for Best Emerging Technology at Wales Online Digital Awards and Entrepreneur of the Year & Technology Business of the Year at Cardiff Business Awards so all in all 2018 has been a very excited and rewarding year for us.
2.) How did you find the experience of the Awards night?
The awards night itself was so much fun! The Depot was decorated eclectically and there was a great atmosphere from start to finish. We had lots of fun trying out the delicious variety of foods served in the food vans - we also made full use of the photo booth! The team had a great evening and as always it was lovely to see so many familiar faces.
3.) How do you strive to make a difference in the Welsh business market?
Wales is home to around 500 contact centres, so we are well placed with our offices in Cardiff and Bristol to showcase our customer service platform; IntelAgent. We are passionate about being a Welsh company and would love to see other Welsh companies benefit from our product which helps businesses save money, make money and deliver exceptional customer service.
4.) What are your goals for the next 12 months?
The next stage of WBB’s growth includes an expansion to the US’s East Coast, and the launch of a new sports fan engagement product called AGAME.ai due to launch later this year.
AGAME.ai is a major driver behind WBB’s US expansion, having identified an opportunity within the sports fan engagement market through their work with top European soccer club, AS Roma.
We are now exploring further opportunities with clubs and franchises in the UK, Europe and the US. We are also looking to secure our Series A funding by the end of 2018 so really exciting times ahead!
5.) What is the biggest lesson you have learned in the first year of your start-up business?
Be open about the good and the bad so that you can identify and deal with any issues that come up early on. Celebrate successes and try to keep the team engaged with everything - especially if that team grows as fast as team WBB!
6.) What one piece of advice would you give to any aspiring entrepreneurs?
Just do it. No one ever lay on their deathbed and said, 'I'm glad I was so cautious all my life'. Then go and raise some cash so you can give it (whatever 'it' is) a real good crack.
