Slovenian start-up Gotoky began Startupbootcamp HighTechXL last week. The Eindhoven-based programme gives start-ups three months to work intensively on getting their company off the ground. For Gotoky, it’s a chance to further develop a smart walkie talkie – before the competition does. CEO Denis Lončar will be talking to e52 every week about his experience with Katja Lipičnik, Chief Marketing Officer, over the next three months. This week: ticket to Eindhoven
Denis Lončar loves the mountains. It’s really beautiful above the treetops where the “moonscape” begins, says the founder of Gotoky and participant in the third edition of the Startupbootcamp HighTechXL, which kicked off last week. Over the next three months Denis will be on the flat lands of the High Tech Campus.
The idea for Gotoky came high up in the picturesque Slovenian mountains. “You go as fast as the slowest person in your group when you’re in the mountains.” But not all of the mountaineers with him that day followed this mantra. Denis got separated from his group and looked at his phone: why doesn’t this thing do anything here?
So how does Gotoky work? In short, a small device connects with your smartphone to work like a walkie talkie. You can also text and there is GPS as well as an SOS function. The walkie talkie works on radio frequencies, independent of your mobile network or satellites. If your phone doesn’t have signal, you can still communicate with Gotoky, even up to 14.5 kilometres into the mountains.
Denis was busy working on the idea with his team in Slovenia when Startupbootcamp approached them. “One of the expat spouses got in contact with us and asked if we would be interested in taking part in the programme.”
We have already written about how the expat partners at Eindhoven Startupbootcamp HighTechXL helped with the selection of new start-ups.
At the end of June, Denis and Katja flew to Eindhoven for the selection process: four gruelling days when every team from A to Z was vetted. On 30 June, the last day, they stepped into the High Tech Campus auditorium where the final eleven were to be announced. “
“We were very eager to be selected, but not quite convinced we would,” laughs Katja. “We were tired and impressed by the other teams. We just kept telling ourselves that the other candidates were more promising… it was just great to be a part of the selection day… and maybe it would be better if we weren’t selected.”
But they were. The jury loved the idea of being able to reach remote areas easily and affordably with Gotoky.
As for Denis and Katja, they’re thrilled: “Three months working non-stop on Gotoky is a great opportunity.” They’re especially pleased with how quickly they’ve been able to make contact with interested interlocutors. Within the first week alone they were sitting down with a TU/e professor to talk about improving the antenna. “That would have taken a bit longer in Slovenia.”
Part two next week.
Photo credits: Kimon Kodossis
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