The Launch program has kicked off successfully this fall. Student founders in Launch have had the chance each week to connect and learn from successful entrepreneurs to help the students grow their businesses. Recently, the Launch group visited Knak, a startup from Ottawa. Founder and CEO Pierce Ujjainwalla welcomed students into the Knak HQ on Prince of Wales Drive to share his experiences starting and growing his own successful business.
Pierce was inspired to start his own company when he noticed room for improvement in his experience in email marketing. Since starting Knak in 2015, the company acquired thousands of users and raised 25 million dollars in funding. Pierce highlighted that in his journey he took many small steps that eventually led to his business in a way that ensured him and his cofounders financial security and work-life balance. He says, “you want to be all-in with your business, but you can start small and test it.”
Students in Launch had the opportunity to learn from Pierce and discuss their own challenges and triumphs in their businesses, learning from Pierce’s experience. The group discussed valuating a company, choosing between venture capitalists and angel investors, and finding the right timing for business decisions. Pierce emphasized how helpful it was having cofounders as starting a business is a lonely job, and it helps to have people equally as committed. The students finished their visit with a tour of the Knak HQ which inspired many to see how their company could grow, too. Pierce left the students with his biggest piece of advice for decision-making in a business, “do the best you can with the information you have.”
