Bootloader Studio startup Success Story. 10 out-of-the-box questions to founder Bryan Pelz by Parsers VC

Bootloader Studio recently raised $5 million in seed funding. Success story to Bryan Pelz in 10 unconventional questions

Author

Lina Makeeva
May 29, 2024

Bootloader Studio, a groundbreaking startup at the forefront of affective AI and spatial computing, has officially launched. The company aims to develop AI technology capable of reading and responding to human emotions, creating a unique and immersive virtual experience.

Bootloader Studio also announced it has secured $5 million in seed funding, spearheaded by Antler Elevate. The team, which boasts expertise in entertainment sectors like film and video games as well as AI, plans to use the funds to grow their team and bring their first consumer product to market. This product is expected to debut later this year on Apple's Vision Pro spatial computing device.

I asked 10 out-of-the-box questions to startup founder Bryan Pelz to better understand his experience and journey to success.

Bryan Pelz, CEO and founder of Bootloader Studio

1. If you could spend a day shadowing any other startup founder, who would it be and what would you hope to learn?

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I'd like to spend a day following Sam Altman around to get a glimpse into how he thinks about influencing the future of AI.

2. What was the most unusual or memorable feedback you received from a customer, and how did it impact your business?

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A customer of a previous company once told me they could make money playing our online games. That was never our intention, but it ended up being an important lesson in expecting the unexpected. Since then, I’ve always made an effort to anticipate and prepare for unintended uses. No matter how seemingly big or small, they can become a golden opportunity to sharpen the product and drive the business forward.

3. If you had to pivot your business model tomorrow, what completely different industry would you explore?

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I have several business ideas I might pursue in the future, but when I'm working on a startup, I stay laser-focused. I’m incredibly excited about what we’re building at Bootloader Studio, both near- and long-term, and am not close to a pivot away from that!

4. What was a seemingly trivial decision you made early on that had a surprisingly big impact on your startup’s success?

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There are seemingly infinite possible boxes to check when building a team: for better or worse, everyone brings something unique to the table (qualifications, traits, experiences, work style, you name it). In the earliest days of Bootloader Studio, I chose team members based simply on their vision and passion for the space. I’m so glad I did. Fast forward to now, and they’ve helped scale the business in ways I hadn't expected.

5. Can you describe a moment when you felt the most doubt about your startup, and how you overcame it?

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Doubt is normal for any entrepreneur at some point in their career. Luckily, doubt has always motivated me to take action. Being proactive and effective cuts my doubt off at the root and propels me forward.

6. Can you share a quirky or unusual ritual you had during the early days to keep motivated or inspired?

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At one startup, I made a point to shake everyone's hand every single day. It kept me connected to the team and provided human motivation. I should probably do that again!

7. What was the first job or gig you had where you earned your own money, and how did it feel?

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I worked in a plant nursery making potting soil all summer. I saved every cent and bought an Apple II computer. It felt great to leverage that work into something where I knew I could build my future. 

8. What unconventional or surprising way did you find to earn money as a child or teenager?

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Shoveling sand and steer manure all day, every day, all summer long. (By the way, it feels really good when you stop).

9. What’s a hidden talent or hobby that most people would be surprised to learn about you?

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I still enjoy coding, though not professionally. I like engineering useless things that I find interesting and expressive.

10. What’s the most unusual item you carry with you or keep in your office, and what’s the story behind it?

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I like EDC questions! I carry a compact leather organizer in my pocket with a flashlight, pen, and multi-tool. One day, Future Bryan will thank me for being prepared.

Thanks Bryan for the interesting and truthful answers.

Contact me if you're a startup founder, if your startup has raised over $1M, if you want to talk about a new round, an achievement or a new milestone [email protected]

Let's tell your story for thousands of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts.

Lina M.,
CMO and Co-founder at Parsers VC
[email protected]
LinkedIn

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