July 21, 2023: Insert text here

What is Firework?

Firework is an end-to-end immersive commerce solution built for retailer websites - bringing the power of shoppable and live video into the places where people shop.

What was the insight/inspiration that led to the launch?

The meteoric rise of live shopping in China coupled with the clear need for a re-imagination of online shopping in the rest of the world.

How has it been received by the market? Why do you think it has been so well received?

We've partnered with brands including Walmart, L'Oreal, Amex, Unilever, NBCU, Natori, Vogue, Muji, Vuori, Levi's, The Gap, and more to bring video commerce to their websites.

The positive reception stems from the fact that when brands host videos on their websites, the time spent through conversion spikes. That is something brands are recognizing. They can no longer just relegate their audience building to social sites alone.

Why did you decide to join?

I joined the leadership team during their Series A. My core reason for joining is a fundamental belief that what we do is at the forefront of the next generation of commerce - it's going to happen and Firework was and is best positioned to be the leader in that space.

My belief in the founders - and a big reason I joined the company - is the incredible tech that was already established coupled with a very audacious vision. It wasn't to put the video on a website, it wasn't to help brands run livestream shopping initiatives, but it was to change the way in which people engaged with websites on the open Internet.

A strong product vision and an audacious goal were what appealed most to me.

What has been the hardest thing on your journey so far?

I joined the pre-product market fit. To that, there has been a lot of rework on the go-to-market whilst having a large sales team already in place. Micro-pivots with an established sales team can be very challenging.

What has been the most pleasant surprise?

How fun it is! A shift from spending a disproportionate amount of time on political posturing, to spending a large amount of time on really thinking about and exploring the approach.

Who is the unsung hero on the team? Why?

My VP of Sales Enablement and Product Marketing has four superpowers; a) moves faster than time, b) can get to the answer before there's a question, c) is respected by everyone as a result, d) somehow is everywhere, all at once.

You need a right hand that you can just trust to 'go'!

What are you trying to achieve over the next 12 months?

Establish Firework as a 'must-buy' (not a nice-to-have) solution in much of the World, generate a ridiculous amount of quality pipeline, and increase the likelihood that that pipeline converts to a customer.

What advice do you wish you had been given prior to launching?

A founder's mind is full of a million brilliant ideas. Your job is not to convert those ideas to fruition, but to find the commonality in them as it relates to what already exists - to create the common thread.

What is your proudest accomplishment outside of work?

I had two kids in the last two years - getting them to laugh (which is not difficult), but it's the thing that makes me proudest and happiest.

Who are the Canadian startups you like in your market?

• Salesfloor - Revolutionizes the digital sales experience by combining human interaction and AI

• Sampler - The ultimate product experience platform

• Storytap - Taking a video-first approach to customer experience

• ShopThing - Making top brands available through digital live shopping events and experiences

TechTO's Founders Journey Series gives you unparalleled access to some of today's top Founders and Leaders from across the Canadian Tech Ecosystem. We chat with our guests about their journeys to building their current business and the lessons they learned along the way.

Our most recent episode of The Founders Journey features Raymond Chik, Co-Founder of Untether AI.

Untether is helping companies run AI workloads to help operate neural networks faster, cooler, and more cost-effectively using app memory computing.

Raymond is the Co-Founder of Untether AI and also spends his time as an advisor and on the board of directors for the company. He is also an active participant in bettering the tech community through angel investing.

In today's podcast, we discuss:

• Raymond’s schooling and background

• His previous Founder experience

• The future of AI and how Untether is helping to shape our world

• Why Untether is different from the competition, and how they are trying to stand out

• His work as an angel investor

• How he continues to support his business and the tech ecosystem overall

• The greatest lessons learned throughout his multiple years as a Founder and Entrepreneur

• What he wants future entrepreneurs to know

Listen now on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts

Where can you connect with Raymond?

Find Raymond on LinkedIn or send him an email at [email protected]

TechTO Connections

Raymond spoke at a recent TechTO: Together event to share his perspective on challenging competitors and setting themselves apart in the Canadian landscape.

For more presentations like this, and access to more leaders and founders paving the way in Canadian Tech, join us in person at an upcoming TechTO in real-life event.

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