THE HOTSEAT
Mobiz goes global Greg Chen
a company that has elevated SMSes to be more powerful than email, and our technology has reached half the South African population. Our company takes 5% market share within our industry and is currently raising our second round of capital to expand into the US.
YOUR WORST QUALITIES ARE…
Not being present enough – I tend to live in my head sometimes. I talk too fast. I’m disorganised, but I’m working on it.
YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO IS…
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THE R18-MILLION INVESTMENT BY KALON IN MOBIZ? I’m excited
to take bold steps to expand into other markets and customer segments. It’s fantastic to know we have the confidence of our very knowledgeable investors.
WHAT IN YOUR VIEW ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN TAKING YOUR OFFERING GLOBAL?
Objectively evaluating the product market fit from scratch. It was an important lesson that strong product market fit in one market does not simply translate into another.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED ON YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY? Ask more questions.
Fail forward. Complacency is moving backwards.
THE QUALITY YOU MOST RESPECT IN PEOPLE IS… Focus. YOUR PET HATE IS… When people
say, “Got it,” when they don’t ‘got’ it. There’s no shame in not understanding something; it’s better to ask more questions, even if it feels 34 I T H E M E D I A
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YOUR BEST QUALITIES ARE…
Big-picture thinking, generosity and a good instinct: I trust my gut.
Be normal and get stuff done.
A PERFECT DAY WOULD BE…
Mobiz, a South African tech start-up founded by GREG CHEN around the reach and accessibility of the humble SMS, recently scored R18-million from Kalon Venture Partners that will allow it to expand to the US. It was during the pandemic in 2020 that Mobiz grew significantly, as organisations needed to engage with customers. ‘dumb’. I try and encourage my staff at Mobiz to ask more questions, as a deeper understanding leads to more accurate and powerful results.
WHAT SCARES YOU MOST? Forgetting to smell the roses until it’s too late. Being a start-up founder, it is easy to get caught up in the daily grind.
A Saturday with my son. After a busy week, I get to relax and spend some quality time with him and my wife.
IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH SOMEONE LIVING OR DEAD IT WOULD BE… Living, because
dead people are an inconvenience to have at dinner.
THE GADGET/S YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT AND WHY… USB-C
dongle, because Apple doesn’t make it easy to plug and play.
YOUR ADDICTION IS… Thinking of
other tasks while on a task. It’s like I have a million browser tabs open in my mind and keep opening more.
YOUR DEATH-ROW MEAL WOULD BE… Fried chicken, cheesy fries and Coke.
YOU THINK 2021 WILL BE…
Too short. With exciting product launches planned, great new customers, important investor raises, and an ever-expanding #MobizFam – there just aren’t enough months in the year.
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
I AM 39 YEARS OLD, AND SO FAR IN MY CAREER… I have founded
themediaonline.co.za
30.06.21 11:48
