Issue 10 2023 Kris King: Prop Tech’s Most Influential CEO Kris King, the visionary Founder and CEO of SnapHouss, has undeniably reshaped the prop-tech landscape. Leading the world’s largest property technology franchise, SnapHouss boasts an impressive presence in over 100 cities across North America, with over 40 franchised locations. King’s groundbreaking venture has already catered to over 10,000 customers and played a pivotal role in the purchase, sale, and lease of more than 15,000 properties in Canada and the US. His innovative approach to property technology sets a gold standard for the industry, which has crowned him as the Most Influential Proptech CEO of 2023 in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2023
Welcome to the October 2023 issue of CEO Monthly. As always, CEO Monthly is dedicated to providing the latest news and features across the business world to our readership. By sharing knowledge, insights, expertise, and success stories from around the globe, we aim to inspire individuals and promote positivity in a world that is in a constant state of evolution. As we enter the month of October, we start to notice distinct changes in the form of the colour of the leaves on the trees, a new crisp chill in the air, and the evenings drawing in. This serves as a reminder that change is inevitable and we should welcome it like we welcome the beauty of autumn. As such, our award-winning CEOs remain poised to adapt as needed so their businesses can thrive in their respective industries. On this month’s front cover is our Most Influential Proptech CEO, Kris King, who very much embraces adaptability and innovation. His brainchild, SnapHouss is an award-winning specialist company in professionally enhanced visuals, videos, and virtual tours to boost the appeal of real estate agent property listings. We explore the outstanding offering of SnapHouss – how, with an expert team and cutting-edge tech, it can take a property listing to the next level – and the extraordinary career and leadership of its spearhead, Kris King. Elsewhere, we feature Jamaica’s first ever AI company; a medtech provider revolutionising the mild traumatic brain injury industry; a sustainable investment management company; a luxury gaming hospitality provider; and many more excellent enterprises. I hope you find each of these stories to be insightful and wish you a prosperous month ahead. In the meantime, I look forward to welcoming you back again for our November issue. Rebecca Scotland, Editor Website: www.ceo-review.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
4. News 6. Kris King- Prop Tech’s Most Influential CEO 8. RIoT Secure AB: Pioneering Lifecycle Management for the Internet of Things 10. 33Fuel Natural Sports Nutrition: 33Fuel CEO Pairing Win Most Influential Sports Nutrition CEO 2023 11. unite Marketing and Events: Aneliese Hirst: Most Influential CEO in Events Services 14. StarApple AI: Data & AI Business Founder of the Year 2023 (Caribbean): Adrian Dunkley 15. Conan MedTech Corp: Bayan Alturkestani’s Innovative Approach to Traumatic Brain Injuries 16. Rooter360: Best-in-Class Plumbing Solutions for the Floridian Market 18. YourKitchen: A Distinguished Founder in an Emerging Market 19. Clear Sky Advisers LLC: The CEO of Sustainable Investing 20. Dundee FC: It’s All in the Game! 21. Alchemy: Driving Innovation 22. PerCurra: The Home Care Sector’s Most Influential CEO 23. The Startup Network: A Firm Foundation 24. Global Guardians: Breathing Life into Empty Spaces 25. Metropolitan Gaming Group: The Only Way to Play 26. -One Park Financial: Taking Risks to Build Successful Businesses Contents
NEWS BNI® CEO & Chairman, Graham Weihmiller, Steps Up to Executive Chairman Role and Recruits New CEO
Inalfa Roof Systems Group, a global leader in the automotive industry headquartered in the Netherlands, has appointed Georges Andary as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from October 1, 2023. Georges Andary brings over 28 years of executive leadership experience in the automotive industry to his new role. During his longstanding tenure he has demonstrated extensive market knowledge, strategic insights, and expertise in management, development, and business development. Inalfa Roof Systems develops and produces integrated roof systems to nearly every major automotive brand. With a strong emphasis on customer relations, integrated collaboration, individual ownership, and a commitment to continuous innovation, both shareholder BHAP and the Supervisory Board are confident that Mr. Andary and his leadership team will further enhance Inalfa’s position as the first-choice partner for the automotive industry in roof systems and integrated technologies. “It is Inalfa’s purpose to open up your world with every drive. I am honored to lead the company to deliver on this promise together with the talented teams and to pursue new opportunities and ensure that we continue to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations around the globe,” said Georges Andary, CEO and President at Inalfa Roof Systems. Prior to joining Inalfa, Mr. Andary held several executive management positions at Bosch. Most recently, he served as the General Manager of Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) and as President of the Automotive Electronics Division in China. Inalfa Roof Systems Group Appoints Georges Andary as New CEO BNI Global, LLC (“BNI”) announced this week that its current Chairman & CEO, Graham Weihmiller, will be stepping up to the role of Executive Chairman and launching the recruitment process for a new CEO to lead the day-to-day operations of BNI and its affiliates. In the last year, BNI’s 310,000+ Members generated well over $22 billion USD in revenue from their BNI Membership through over 14 million valuable new client referrals. Year-after-year, BNI is consistently creating new records in terms of revenue and referrals for BNI Members and it is opening in new countries to add to the 77 countries in which it currently operates. It is also significantly bolstering its team with top talent throughout its 17 corporate offices worldwide. BNI now sits at its largest membership ever after more than 38 years of operation and it is poised to achieve a 39th consecutive year of growth later this year. With its accelerating growth, now is the ideal time to further augment the team. Mr. Weihmiller plans to include the whole organization in the process of recruiting BNI’s next CEO, and he is gathering input from BNI Members, Franchisees, and employees to identify the key success traits in BNI’s next CEO. This new CEO will lead BNI as well as its affiliates CorporateConnections® and Scion Social. Graham Weihmiller, who has served as BNI’s CEO since 2014 will continue to be a strong advocate for BNI as he steps into the Executive Chairman role. In this role, Weihmiller will focus more time on big-picture strategic opportunities for BNI, mentorship, public speaking, and writing. BNI’s Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Dr. Ivan Misner said of the change, “Since 2014, Graham and I have worked very closely together to support BNI Members and Directors worldwide. And we will continue to do so in this next phase as well. By moving to the Executive Chair role, he will be able to focus on the big, strategic opportunities for BNI, while also getting some more time for writing and time at home with family, which I know is important to him. I’m supportive of this change, and excited about the fresh energy and ideas a new CEO will bring to support BNI’s next phase of growth and success. My role isn’t changing. And I’ve never been more bullish on BNI.” “BNI is an incredible organization and I’m excited to stepup to Executive Chairman so I can focus on big, strategic opportunities for BNI. I’m so humbled and pleased with the work we have done together in the last ten years. It has been a rich life experience, and I’m so incredibly grateful to the leaders in BNI who make a tangible impact in individual lives every day,” says Weihmiller. “The organization is well-positioned for the future; now is the ideal time to launch an exciting and inclusive process to identify BNI’s next CEO. They’ll bring fresh energy, ideas, and experiences to BNI that will catapult BNI to an entirely new level. And I look forward to working with them closely. With a continued focus on BNI’s Core Values, there is no limit to what BNI can accomplish in a world that needs BNI more than ever before.”
Kris King: Prop Tech’s Most Influential CEO Contact: Kris King Company: SnapHouss Web Address: www.snaphouss.com
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 7 Jul23771 Originally started in Markham, Canada, SnapHouss is an award-winning prop-tech franchise that delivers professionally enhanced photos, cinematic property videos, floor plans, and 3D tours to real estate agents looking to enhance their property listings. Through its easy-to-use app, clients can book an appointment, track progress, and receive content instantaneously. The mastermind behind SnapHouss is tech titan Kris King, who has been named Most Influential Proptech CEO in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2023. Born in Scarborough, Kris King remained in his home province of Ontario, Canada, while he studied to obtain a bachelor’s degree in IT management. After graduating, he entered the corporate world, working in managerial roles at several large franchises, including Pet Valu Inc., Hudson’s Bay Company, Canadian Tire Corporation, and Hiwell Technology Inc. In these roles, Kris steered crucial divisions like cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and IT software services, juggling his successful career with his thriving digital marketing company, which provided web and app development solutions to startups. Interestingly, his career eventually took him to Los Angeles, where he led the expansion initiatives of a cybersecurity company, serving as Director of IT Operations. Before the recent Covid-19 pandemic, Kris moved back to Canada to establish SnapHouss, a prop-tech franchise. Since then, he has wielded his expansive technical knowledge in programming and management to create an internationally recognized organization. Today, SnapHouss has grown into the world’s largest property technology franchise, serving more than 100 cities with an impressive portfolio that includes over 40 locations across North America. Striving to help real estate agents improve the quality of their next listing, SnapHouss captures photos, videos, 3D tours, aerial/drone footage, and more media related content that captures every detail of the home. With a team of experienced graphic designers, the company pairs exceptional capturing methods with graphically enhanced digitization to produce the best images with their proprietary AI-powered processing systems. To make the property stand out even more, SnapHouss can digitally alter photos to make it appear as though they were taken at the peak sunset hour. Furthermore, if the property is unfurnished or untidy-looking, the company can also digitally stage rooms to appear beautifully decorated. This is not only priced more competitively than hiring a traditional staging company but also quicker, with results delivered within 12 hours. Moreover, SnapHouss offers video walkthroughs of properties that can be shared, played, and distributed amongst clients at the click of a button. It provides viewers with the feeling that they are walking into and through the property, taking in features of both its exterior and interior. For properties that would look stunning from a bird’s eye view, the company also offers aerial photos and videos, taken with drones to bring out the best features the area has to offer. To provide your clients with an immersive, interactive experience, SnapHouss also creates three-dimensional virtual tours using the industry’s best-in-class software. Users can click to move through the property and even zoom in on the details of every nook and cranny in each room. This is ideal for conducting virtual showings, enabling both real estate agents and their clients to save time travelling to and from properties. SnapHouss can also provide twodimensional and three-dimensional floorplans, allowing potential buyers to visualize every room from a bird’s eye view and decide if the property’s layout meets their needs. They can also consider the dimensions of each area to work out if their furniture will fit. By marrying real estate with cutting-edge tech solutions, Kris has transformed the traditional property scene into a digital powerhouse. It’s no hyperbole to say that SnapHouss’ monumental success in the prop-tech industry can be credited to his impeccable technical acumen. However, Kris’ ambitions extend far beyond revolutionizing the field of proptech with his exceptional technological knowledge. His latest venture, DefenseIQ, promises to be a game-changer for public safety. Primarily, this new company offers Enhanced Public Safety Drone Systems, aiming to address some of America’s most pressing issues. Firstly, approximately 70,000 wildfires occur across America every year, destroying around seven million acres of forestland. DefenseIQ’s rescue mission drones are primed to tackle this problem, reducing the impact of wildfires on the country. Secondly, a tragic reality is that there have been nearly 240 school shootings recorded in America since 2013. DefenseIQ’s tactical solutions and drones can aid emergency responses, potentially saving countless lives. Thirdly, with hundreds of major events taking place in America annually, it is crucial to ensure effective security when large crowds are expected. The advanced surveillance capabilities of DefenseIQ’s drones can drastically improve event security management. This feature will also be beneficial for safeguarding the nearly 2,000-milelong border that spans across the south of America, bolstering the country’s security efforts. DefenseIQ sets itself apart from other safety solutions through its centralized command centre, which is operated by licensed RPA pilots and emergency service personnel to promise coordinated and efficient responses to crises. With an astounding 20,000 hours of RPA flying experience, Kris is among the world’s most seasoned drone experts. He has invested more a combined 10,000 hours in training over 100 staff members to ensure their strict adherence to safety guidelines and their proper use of protocols, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to safety. In an era dominated by technology, Kris’ ventures are not just business models. Instead, they are visionary endeavours that promise to redefine industries and ensure a safer, more secure future. He has utilized his unparalleled tech expertise to enhance both prop-tech and public safety thus far, demonstrating his status as an innovator with a cause. Crafting solutions that resonate far beyond boardroom discussions and profit charts, Kris is certainly one to watch in the years ahead. For his continued excellence, Kris King has been awarded the title of Most Influential Proptech CEO as part of the Most Influential CEO Awards 2023. With ambitious plans, Kris looks towards a bright future; we wish him and his team at SnapHouss the best of luck in all their endeavours.
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 8 Pioneering Lifecycle Management for the Internet of Things RIoT Secure AB is a Stockholm based tech firm who specialise in the secure lifecycle management of the Internet of Things (IoT). It covers all sizes of device, large or small, with an aim to make essential security more accessible to device manufacturers. It’s visionary architect Aaron Ardiri has recently been recognised as the Most Influential CEO 2023 - Sweden (IoT Technology), so we were delighted to have the chance to find out a little more about him and his work. hese days, we live in a world that is interconnected by a myriad of different devices, from smart appliances to connected cars, with many having the built-in ability to connect directly to the Internet. There are also many networks of interrelated devices that connect and exchange data with each other and the cloud. This is the Internet of Things (IoT), and it is obvious that security is a major factor, with many security exploits and vulnerabilities making headlines since their introduction. RIoT Secure AB specialises in lifecycle management for IoT by providing unprecedented security by leveraging the power of a hardware sandbox. It helps clients manage security across Aug23370 T all devices, which might be something they find complex and time-consuming to do alone. RIoT Secure AB can help with a ready to use robust security solution for IoT, that takes into account concerns clients might have about being targeted for malicious purposes. CEO, Aaron Ardiri has a multifaceted role at the company, covering everything from business strategy, financial, and stakeholder management to overviewing the hardware/ software development from conception through to deployment. He focuses on the firm’s key values of innovation, security, and collaboration to help address the complexities of IoT, but also accepts the evolving nature of the business. For example, whereas it used to be innovation as the primary focus, collaboration has become increasingly important as it is vital both for sustained growth and to stay ahead of the curve in technology. Aaron is also cognisant of the fact that the firm is built on deep-rooted relationships. He identifies that he has worked with almost everyone on his team in some capacity, in various roles, over the previous two decades. This understanding and personal knowledge is vital, especially considering the team is geographically dispersed all across the globe. RIoT Secure has had to navigate time zones, cultural differences, and the nuances of remote working long before it became the norm for many businesses. The trust this has engendered over the years has become a glue, holding this rich and complex group together, and is a strength it hopes to pass on as a selfperpetuating cycle to any new team members who come onboard. Considering his leadership style, Aaron sees himself as a fusion between the servant leader and transformational model styles. His overarching approach is to inspire rather than dictate, and empower team members by making sure they are provided with the tools necessary for success. He has been influenced by hands-on experience, working alongside peers and mentors in the industry. In addition, he has also been guided by leadership literature, and perhaps most of all has learnt from real-world interactions. This has combined to lead to Aaron’s flexible and adaptable leadership style. “ Earlier in my career, I favoured a more directive style, particularly in highstakes, fast-paced settings like start-ups. However, as I gained experience and led increasingly diverse teams, I recognised the benefits of a more inclusive and collaborative approach. ” RIoT Secure caters to a diverse range of clients, ranging from hobbyists CEO Aaron Ardiri and co-founder Bjorn de Jounge on-site with customer SAS Ground Services Handling Group
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 9 to companies who are household names. To encourage continued engagement, the company operates from a foundational partnership perspective, customising solutions to overcome individual industry challenges. Its transparency and mutual respect within long-term relationships is something that allows it to go beyond mere transactional interactions, and truly collaborate with clients in building sustainable success. Aaron sees the company’s defining edge as being its willingness to tackle challenges others might reject as overly complex or difficult to take on. Because RIoT Secure has an agile team who are backed by robust R&D investment, it is able to adapt quickly to market changes, and excel in problem solving. Aaron describes it as offering “holistic end-to-end solutions providing unmatched value and establishing long-lasting client relationships.” In many ways, because of its unique approach to security, the company is there to help clients negotiate the Internet of Things, placing the customers solution in a secure hardware sandbox – effectively making them disconnected. Because we live in a world where the IoT is woven across billions of devices, the intricate network is under constant threat of attack from security vulnerabilities, the most secure device is one that is not exposed to outside threats. RIoT Secure has the expertise to rise to the challenge, offering robust security measures that seamlessly integrate with clients’ devices. It offers lifecycle management for microcontrollers, even those that are resourceconstrained, and works tirelessly to keep pace with technological advancements. Its employees are the backbone of the company, with each person contributing their unique skills and viewpoints to help the company achieve its goals. Such a blend of talent results in a dynamic work environment, where every new challenge is seen as an opportunity to grow. Maintaining a culture of collaboration and continuous learning is a priority for Aaron. He does this by regularly engaging with the team through open forums, as well as via individual one-toones that keep the channels of communication flowing. Team building activities are also embroidered into the business culture, and professional development is an integral part of the workplace. Aaron ensures that he gets personally involved in such initiatives, to underline the fact that a hands-on approach is more than words, it is a principle embodied in daily work life. “ Adopting agile made us more adaptable to market changes, while fostering cross-functional collaboration improved efficiency and client value. These experiences have broadened my role from a manager to a change-inspiring leader. ” Looking to the future, Aaron has shared plans for global expansion and further market penetration over the coming year. RIoT Secure is spotting new industries where it can make a difference in a meaningful way, in addition to increasing its global territories. In this way it seeks not only to grow as a business, but also to become an integral part of the development process within IoT projects. Early engagement is imperative as it will allow the customers to see the importance of security and lifecycle management, ensuring they are built into products from the ground up. This will mean that systems are better designed and more security-aware from the very start. Long-term, RIoT Secure is aiming to be more than a business success; it wants to be a developer’s first choice for securing IoT solutions. To do this, strategic partnerships need to be formed, and relationships fostered not only at executive level but with developers building concepts and prototypes. In terms of his own career, Aaron explains what an interesting journey it has been so far. He has had the privilege of being involved in a successful acquisition, and has been able to glimpse what retirement might look like for him. Ultimately, however, he knows that his heart lies in the world of innovating and problem solving for the industry he loves. For Aaron, the work is more than just a job, it’s a lifelong passion, and he is delighted to be carrying on doing what genuinely excites him. Contact Details Company: RIoT Secure AB Web: www.riotsecure.se Contact Name: Aaron Ardiri
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 10 irst, they drive a brand with a genuine difference and a meaningful mission in a space where too often brand differences are most easily discerned by packaging colours and brand ambassadors, rather than a genuine difference in products or ethos. “The mission has always been at the heart of everything we do,” Erica explains. “We’ve fought daily to ensure natural always means natural in 33Fuel products, to do everything we can to deliver the performance and enjoyment people need while delivering the health benefits that come from the best natural ingredients. I mean, why use chocolate flavouring with no nutrients when you can use organic raw cacao? It tastes way better and is packed with amazing nutrients!” The pair have also always made sure that despite fast growth, with sales having tripled again in the last 12 months alone, the business keeps its sustainability game as strong as its product game, making 33Fuel the leading UK sports nutrition brand for sustainability. 33Fuel CEO Pairing Win Most Influential Sports Nutrition CEO 2023 In the ultra-competitive UK sports nutrition market – a £100 millionplus sector already forecast to double in the coming years – no region is harder fought than the South East where most of the biggest players are based. Lucozade, Red Bull, and Clif are all here, to name just a few, so picking the winner for Most Influential Sports Nutrition CEO in 2023 wasn’t easy. However, when the dust had settled, joint CEOs Erica and Warren Pole at 33Fuel were clear winners. “It’s a key pillar in our Fuelosophy, our business philosophy,” says Warren. “We were the first sports nutrition brand to go without single-use plastic scoops in powdered products and use tablespoon measurements instead. A tiny thing, but it removes millions of single use plastic scoops at source. We’ve pioneered fully recyclable packaging across the range – a step no one else in our space has managed yet – plus carbon-neutral delivery, reforestation and, of course, our entirely plant-based formulas”. The Poles run a tight, lean ship at 33Fuel but it’s their ability to focus and maximise the business’ resources to deliver results even greater than the sum of their parts – their sales growth and myriad product awards alone are great testament to this – that most impressed our panel. Today’s successful CEOs must lead on culture, brand, and product, but they must also lead a team that delivers business growth, sales, and profit, which is exactly what the Poles are doing. Aug23565 F Company: 33Fuel Natural Sports Nutrition Contact: Erica and Warren Pole Email: [email protected] Website: www.33fuel.com
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 11 Mar22259 Aneliese Hirst: Most Influential CEO in Events Services Unite Marketing and Events is an award-winning event marketing, management, and talent agency committed to helping its clients generate revenue, expand their reach, and improve their brand image through impactful marketing campaigns and events. The company is headed by Founder and CEO Aneliese Hirst, who has been awarded Most Influential CEO 2023 - London (Events Services) in the Most Influential CEO Awards. After graduating from the University of Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in management and advertising, Aneliese Hirst went on to work in various marketing roles at respected companies. For the majority of her career, she worked at the Financial Times, where she became Head of Marketing in 2017. With a strong background in leadership and experience managing large teams, Aneliese was inspired to start her own company in 2020. At the time, the events industry was in complete disarray thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, so organisations were unable to commit to hiring full-time, permanent events teams. Aneliese identified a need for flexible support that covered events from start to finish, including planning, production, marketing, delivery, and everything in-between. She created Unite to fulfil this need, aiming to build a company that would set the gold standard across the corporate events space. Today, Unite’s expertise encompasses the management and marketing of live, virtual, and hybrid events, bringing brands and people together all over the world. Taking a flexible approach to events management, the company works in-house with a multitude of clients, providing them with as much help as their team needs. Alongside this, Unite has built a vast network of event industry contacts, through which it offers a recruitment service to clients looking to find their next freelance, temp, or permanent hire. Unite’s clients include industry-leading publishers who are renowned for orchestrating exceptional events, including distinguished names like The Economist Group, The New Statesman, and Haymarket. As well as this, the company has collaborated with notable entities such as Channel 4, TNW, and Wall Street Docs. When Aneliese set up Unite in 2020, she had no idea that the business would grow at the rate that it has. In its first year, the company worked with 12 clients across 54 global events, hiring two full-time staff members and 12 contractors to support its operations. In its second year, it welcomed five new team members, won a New Business of the Year Award, and worked on 27 events, which were attended by over 10,000 delegates both virtually and globally across London, New York, Miami, Amsterdam, Germany, and Detroit. As the CEO of a successful emerging company, Aneliese’s leadership philosophy revolves around leading by example; she strives to take a frontand-centre role in order to establish the benchmark of excellence. She comments, “I collaborate closely with my teams, nurturing their competencies and proficiencies. A deliberate facet of my approach involves intentionally welcoming individuals with diverse skill sets into our fold. This deliberate diversity not only enriches our collective knowledge but also fosters an environment of continual mutual learning.” Having founded Unite only three years ago, Aneliese is proud that the company has received a multitude of positive feedback from the clients it has served so far. For example, Jason Hesse, Head of Corporate Brand at Channel 4, comments, “It was a pleasure to work with Unite. Aneliese and her team did outstanding work for Channel 4, helping us to deliver industry-leading events that reached wide stakeholder audiences. The team was quick to learn our processes, to tackle any issues that arose, and to work independently. Unite gets things done. Thank you!” In light of this glowing praise, it is no surprise that Aneliese Hirst has been named Most Influential CEO 2023 - London (Events Services) in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2023. In the coming year, Unite aims to maintain its commitment to outstanding execution as it continues to navigate the expansion of its operations. The company has established an effective vision of the ideal event over time, but it is eager to embrace fresh perspectives and explore innovative approaches in the future. There is boundless potential for Aneliese and her team to learn and grow, so continuous improvement remains a priority for them moving forward. Contact: Aneliese Hirst Company: unite Marketing and Events Web Address: unitemarketingandevents.co.uk Aug23158
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CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 14 StarApple AI is a business that prioritises the accessibility of technology and, as such, has tirelessly worked to develop a multitude of services to suit any need. Be it Bespoke AI Development, R&D, AI Policy and Framework Development, Data Science Services, Gamified AI Training, or Research, StarApple AI is eager to become a part of its clients’ AI journeys. From publicly traded corporate entities, to governments, SMEs, and individuals, it delivers a comprehensive guide to AI, no matter how complex the requirement. In addition, StarApple AI also supports a variety of non-profit organisations, both on a regional and international scale. But just how did StarApple AI manage to become one of the most trusted data and AI businesses throughout the Caribbean? The answer is simple – it’s all a product of CEO Adrian Dunkley’s intense passion for everything that the field encompasses. As Jamaica’s first AI company, StarApple AI represents a shift in AI development throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Founded by Adrian Dunkley, StarApple AI is a passion project that quickly marked the largest technological milestone that Jamaica has seen in recent years. Below, we explore Adrian’s journey - how he went from being a man with a love for science and technology, to an award-winning CEO whose determination paved the way for Jamaica’s venture into the world of AI. Having coined the term ‘Artful Intelligence’ upon the creation of StarApple AI, Adrian proceeded to outline what he deemed to be the most crucial part of his new company’s promise – to guide AI towards the right strategies, customers, and value creation in the quickest possible time. Adrian’s ‘Artful Intelligence’ has been critical in integrating AI into businesses that have struggled with digital infrastructure. However, to fully understand how StarApple AI came to be, we feel it’s essential to delve into Adrian’s fascinating story. Said story begins with the popular sci-fi giant, Star Trek. Adrian was enamoured with the character of Geordi La Forge, a leader and scientist that looked like him, as well as the people around him. This inspiration led Adrian to chase his dream – to become a scientist. The older he got, the more his love for the subject flourished, until he eventually pursued an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Physics. Following this, Adrian became a research student at the University of West Indies, wherein he studied organic solar cells as part of his vision to reinvent the solar panel industry. Unfortunately, trouble struck, and Adrian found himself having to drop out due to financial reasons. Whilst, at the time, he saw this as a world-ending failure on his part, he would eventually learn that this very incident was the initial spark for StarApple AI. Adapting what he had learned throughout his studies, Adrian entered into the world of finance. As it seemed, his skillset was exactly what the industry had been in desperate need of, and he found himself rising to the position of Senior Executive after five years of persistent hard work. This hard work persisted for over a decade, after which Adrian finally decided to recentre his focus on his passion for science. The result of this decision is what we see today – StarApple AI. Built upon the genuine love for imagining the impossible, and how to bring it to life, StarApple AI depicts a piece of Adrian’s very heart and soul. Everything that he has done throughout his life has led to the creation of the most innovative, inviting collective that has graced the AI sector in recent years. His wonder is captured through every service, and even more so through the trust that he’s established between both his team and his clients. Now, Adrian has a plethora of achievements to his name. From launching and funding a Caribbean Data Science training program – Sprout – that has already trained over 300 individuals in Data Science, to winning the Jamaican Innovator of the Year Award for 2023, StarApple AI has come leaps and bounds in its pursuit of realising Adrian’s ambitions. What started as a company named after a fruit hiding a star at its core has quickly become an entity that represents what can be accomplished, should one be passionate enough. And it’s clear that Adrian Dunkley has passion to spare. Contact: Adrian Dunkley Company: StarApple AI Web Address: https:// starapple.ai/ Data & AI Business Founder of the Year 2023 (Caribbean): Adrian Dunkley
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 15 Bayan Alturkestani’s Innovative Approach to Traumatic Brain Injuries A concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), results in symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, ringing in the ears, and visual disturbances like seeing stars. In contrast to a severe concussion, known as traumatic brain injury (TBI), mTBIs are unlikely to result in long term health consequences. However, their repeated occurrence can have potentially debilitating repercussions, leading to conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is a pronounced deterioration of the brain. According to the CDC, sports-related injuries in the U.S. cause more than 4 million concussions every year. Despite this, very few concussed athletes are clinically diagnosed, and many continue to participate in the sport even with a concussion. Whilst this may partially be caused by the warrior-like approach many athletes take to competitive play, part of the problem is certainly the slow and costly nature of diagnosis. It can take more than four hours in the emergency room to check for a potential concussion with a lab-based blood test, and the whole process can cost more than $800 in total. In 2019, Bayan Alturkestani set out to address this issue when she founded Conan MedTech Corp. with plans to create the Real-time Concussion Detector, a pioneering solution that can be used to diagnose concussions easily, quickly, and non-invasively. Whilst not on the market yet, her creation could be available as early as next year. With the use of Conan’s Real-time Concussion Detector, it could take as little as 15 minutes to obtain results. The best part is that there will be no need to visit the emergency room; Conan’s test can be used both at home and on the sidelines during sports games, meaning players won’t have to go anywhere to get assessed. Conan’s test is also noninvasive, with no need to expose the subject to radiation or draw their blood. It works similarly to some COVID-19 tests; saliva is collected on a swab and deposited in a simple detection device. In less than half an hour, it will be possible to view the results in a user-friendly app. Furthermore, Conan’s Realtime Concussion Detector will not only be quicker and more convenient but also significantly cheaper than the market’s current options. Many concussion detection technologies are highly expensive, but Conan’s solution will only cost 12% of the average cost on the market. Bayan’s journey with MedTech began when she moved to Pennsylvania with her family and made the decision to join Temple University’s bioengineering programme. As a senior, she assisted with concussion drug research in a biomechanics lab, where she noticed the need for much quicker diagnosis of concussions. She soon began thinking about the possibility of creating a solution for real-time concussion detection. The following summer, she began working on her idea when she participated in the Temple Fox School of Business accelerator programme, having been awarded a Lori Hermelin Bush Seed Fund grant for female entrepreneurs. Four years ago, while studying for her master’s degree in biomedical engineering at Cornell University, Bayan founded Conan MedTech Corp. For the concept she has developed, she won first place at an entrepreneurship competition sponsored by the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation in 2020. A year later, in 2021, she ranked in the Top 100 Healthcare Leaders in the International Forum on Advancements in Healthcare. Currently, Bayan’s prototype is awaiting FDA approval, but she hopes to soon begin piloting her Real-time Concussion Detector at public school districts and youth sports organisations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Eventually, she plans to target hospital emergency rooms and the U.S. military. As a result of her exceptional innovation, Bayan Alturkestani has been awarded Brain Injury MedTech CEO of the Year, New York, in the CEO of the Year Awards 2023. With ambitious plans, Bayan looks towards a bright future, and we look forward to seeing what she goes on to accomplish in the years to come. Contact: Bayan Alturkestani Company: Conan MedTech Corp. Web Address: www.conanmedtech.com/ Aug23493 Since 2019, Conan MedTech Corp. has been revolutionising the mild traumatic brain injury diagnosis market with a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test for concussions that can be performed anywhere by sports doctors and athletic trainers. The company was established by Bayan Alturkestani, Founder, CEO, and R&D Engineer, who has been named Brain Injury MedTech CEO of the Year, New York, in the CEO of the Year Awards 2023.
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 16 Aug23297 Best-in-Class Plumbing Solutions for the Floridian Market As a standout leader in pipe lining and re-piping in the state of Florida, Rooter360 has been an influential force on setting best practices in the market. As CEO, William Gardner has been a crucial driver of this initiative, ensuring that Rooter360 remains a pacesetter despite constant development in the space. On the back of his recognition in 2023’s Most Influential CEO Awards as the Most Influential CEO - Miami (Plumbing Solutions), we spoke to William to find out more about his leadership ethos and plans for the future. Industry leaders thrive through innovation. A drive to do things differently. To do things better. That’s the case regardless of industry, whether it be construction, or banking, or technology or any other multitude of sectors. No matter the size of the business, innovation and constant betterment should form the foundational elements of its operation. To do otherwise in this rapidly moving world could lead to stagnation, especially now that it’s easier than ever for potential clients to access any of your competitors. However, there’s no worry of stagnation when it comes to Rooter360 and its work, with a reputation built through integrity, accountability, quality, teamwork, and innovation. William discusses how these values have forged the company’s success since its establishment. “We have created a quality process that allows customers to fix without trenching or replacing pipes, leaving the home better than we found it. Our values guide our processes. With integrity, we are honest about our performance. With innovation, we are always looking for new ways or technologies to apply. There’s accountability from each department. They all have their own process to do good work and if something goes wrong, they take accountability for it. When you combine all these three, there’s quality. These values have remained unchanged and are the bedrock for our growth through word-ofmouth referrals.” A key question to address is how William views the role of CEO when it comes to inspiring and influencing those he manages and oversees. In this post-COVID world, it pays to remain flexible and dynamic – open to all opportunities, with the business agility and reactivity to capitalise on those opportunities. While that may seem to be less necessary in this particular industry, the overall market necessitates such an approach. As they say, you can never be too prepared when it comes to facing challenges. Luckily, for William, challenges have been relatively easily overcome, with the most pressing of those being a need for skilled labour in a market that is experiencing a limited pool of talent across the board. This is compounded by the fact that Rooter360 simply doesn’t operate in the same way as its peers. “Our biggest challenge has always been finding skilled labour; this type of jobs is very specific and needs attention to detail – it takes time and experience. Now, we
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 17 Mar23134 know that this takes time to provide the training needed before sending them to a job.” Naturally, one of the key pitfalls of being innovative is that most new employees will need to be trained in the techniques that have distinguished Rooter360 from its competitors. But the techniques utilised comprise just a small part of what has differentiated this company from a competitive landscape, as William goes on to discuss. “We primarily serve singlefamily homeowners and multifamily projects. Our distinctiveness lies in our end-to-end process, from when we answer the call, our branding, sales process, and installation. Additionally, we offer the strongest warranty in our market.” This customer-centred process helps ensure that Rooter360 sees a significant referral rate through positive word of mouth, as touched on early in the interview. William continues to talk about how he approaches management. “Running this type of company, I prioritise fairness and employee incentives. As the company wins, so do the employees, ensuring that employee success aligns with company achievements. Every team member plays a pivotal role for the entire process, from initial customer contact to job execution and logistics. I’m a conductor orchestrating an orchestra; I don’t play any specific instrument.” With this leadership style firmly in place, the future of Rooter360 looks towards expansion, with William hoping to enter promising new markets. Here, he concludes by describing those future plans in more detail. “My plan is to focus on market expansion as we currently cover all of the South Florida and Orlando areas. In 2024, our plan is to get to the Jacksonville and Tampa areas to be able to cover all of the state of Florida. When it comes to summarising my career so far, I’ve been fortunate with many mentors in my professional life. I’ve played important roles in companies that scaled from 5 million to 30 million and from 30 million to 50 million. This is the first time where I started from 0 and I feel confident to continue to grow.” All things considered, it’s easy to see how William has become a known and influential CEO, with a mission dedicated to providing client-centric services that are, from the outset, different from any other option on the market. With an approach defined by fairness and recognition, he drives his team towards greater success regardless of challenges and industry uncertainty. A well-deserved success by all regards, with a future that is as ambitious as it is achievable. If you need plumbing solutions, look no further than Rooter360. Contact Details Company: Rooter360 Name: William Gardner Email: [email protected] Web Address: rooter360.com Address: 11511 Interchange Circle South, Miramar, FL 33025 Telephone: 866-843-4738
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 10 2023 18 ou can immediately see the appeal of ghost kitchens: all the focus on producing excellent food, without the costs and resources associated with dining areas and inhouse patrons. Still, despite these benefits, it’s still an industry ‘on the rise’ and relatively niche. Yousif, then, is someone who can recognise potential, and can capitalise on that potential through delivering best-in-class options for those that are after ghost kitchen services. “YourKitchen allows restaurateurs to open new locations without the high costs and risks typically associated with new restaurant locations. Instead of opening a traditional brick and mortar restaurant, our customers can simply rent a kitchen and begin cooking within weeks. We support our customers with the technology required to seamlessly integrate with food delivery platforms and other sales channels,” Yousif states in his opening comments. While YourKitchen has since found its feet – and flourished on the back of the team’s efforts – it was a rough road to begin with. Not least of all because of how novel the industry was and still is to this day. For Yousif, it presented a significant learning curve, both across his management team and in establishing his own leadership style to bring out the best in the company. “As the Founder and CEO, I had to learn the ins and outs of this business before hiring a management team. As the first mover, we worked hard to find our footing in this new business. Before making any external hires, it was critical that I did the work myself and understood all the requirements. Once that was clear, I put together the best-fit team based on the real requirements of the work.” While YourKitchen has recently been acquired by another well-established ghost kitchen business, the efforts of Yousif and the greater team should be acknowledged in relation to the challenges faced by those trying to enter this space, and many others like it. As testament to this, Yousif is quick to emphasise the role of the team in delivering the success that YourKitchen has experienced so far, especially in regard to constant improvement of his own leadership skills. “My leadership style is, and was, based on getting the team to perform at their A Distinguished Founder in an Emerging Market The trend of ‘ghost kitchens’ is not a particularly new trend, but in recent years it has exploded in popularity due to a plethora of motivators. In this industry, YourKitchen has become a true story of startup grit. We spoke with CEO and Founder, Yousif Kurdi following his dual recognition as the ‘Most Influential CEO 2023 - Netherlands (Real Estate Technology)’ and the ‘Distinguished Founder Award’. best. I see myself not as a coach, but as the team captain. I love being on the ground, working with my team members, solving problems and getting things done. I work to balance pressure and direction with freedom and flexibility. Some of the people I managed were 20 years older than me, so that was a great leadership learning experience. I am constantly evolving and reviewing team performance to guide me in my approach. Two key influencers are my father and my older brother.” Ultimately, it was this agile and flexible approach, and his willingness to “get into the trenches” of the work that led to YourKitchen overcoming many of the issues that had plagued its contemporaries. Here, Yousif explains those challenges, as well as the factors that led to the acquisition of the company. “We faced more challenges than there is space in this interview! But that is the nature of startups. We faced fundraising challenges, setbacks due to failed deals, unexpected decisions from the government, external headwinds like increased interest rates, a reduction in capital available for expansion, uncertainty about the European market due to war, an unstable food delivery industry, and many more. In addition, you always face internal challenges such as people management, and your own decision making as a leader. It’s not easy to lead a company from start to exit. I am so thankful to this team for working so hard to create something totally new for the restaurant industry.” “The most recent opportunity we faced was in partnering up with another ghost kitchen company and an investor. We reached an agreement to be acquired by them and this would ensure that the new entity could offer even more benefits to our customers. This also ensured that YourKitchen would have business continuity and that all our efforts would lead to greater results.” So, what does the future hold for Yousif now? Well, from next year he will be settling back into his home nation of Saudi Arabia and looking to establish business roots in the region. “Following the exit from YourKitchen, I wish to spend more time in growing markets like Saudi Arabia. As a Saudi national, I am inspired by the innovation taking place and can see many opportunities arising. I will either start a new company or join an existing one. So, if you would like to learn more about the opportunities in Saudi, please reach out!” Company: YourKitchen Name: Yousif Kurdi, Founder and CEO Email: [email protected] Web Address: your-kitchen.com Aug23234 Y
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