[Startup story] Readmio | Rubik Garage – Scale to USA, Cohort 6

[Startup story] Readmio | Rubik Garage – Scale to USA, Cohort 6

April 22, 2024

First of all, we would like to know who’s behind the keyboard.

My name is Ilya Novodvorskiy and I am one of the co-founders of Readmio.

Tell us more about your startup. What problem do you solve? Who’s your audience? What motivated you to found it?

Children are exposed to passive and superficial entertainment.
Parents spend less and less quality time with their children.
We are getting too much screen time and visual stimuli.
The attention span has taken a dramatic slump in recent years.
Parents are no longer the role models they once were.

We solve this by promoting mental development through immersive educational entertainment. Additionally, we engage children with interactive narratives and activities, fostering stronger bonds between parents and children through shared experiences.

We’re curious to learn about your team. 

Jozef Šimko has founded various companies across multiple sectors, including consulting, marketing, publishing, insurance, and transportation. In 2016, Ernst & Young honored him with the Emerging Entrepreneur Award. Before Readmio, he co-founded a software house that ranked as the sixth fastest-growing company in the Deloitte Fast 50 CEE. In 2018, InloopX, the software house he co-founded, was acquired by Avast.

Erik Nota brings extensive experience in creating products used by millions worldwide. He has been involved in projects from their inception for numerous startups and has crafted product strategies for large corporations. At Avast, he led a team of over 70 designers.

Rado Rajčan is a senior software developer who has contributed his expertise to startups like InloopX and corporations such as Avast and Smith Micro Software.

What is the biggest achievement / progress / changes you’ve achieved during our accelerator?

We attended SXSW EDU and met some incredible people and potential investors. Also, we applied for some US accelerators and are considering relocating to the USA. We see the huge potential Readmio has in the US and are looking forward to gaining a wider audience there.

How was the USA immersion trip? How did it change your perspective on scaling in the USA?

It has certainly helped us realize the potential we have in the US and the numerous partnership opportunities it offers.

What role did mentorship play in your experience, and how did it impact your startup’s growth?

The highlight was meeting key figures in the US who facilitated opportunities such as pitching to US-based angels and connecting us with key partners.

How has the experience in the acceleration program influenced your vision for the future of your startup? What are your next steps and goals as you continue to grow and evolve your startup in the USA market and beyond?

It has helped us see the diverse opportunities available to us, spanning investment, partnerships, and overall revenue growth. Also, it opened up our eyes to how much faster things happen in the US, where connections are made much easier and deals get pushed through faster.

Why would you recommend Rubik Garage Scale to USA to those startup founders who want to expand in the States?

It’s such a great experience to dip your toes in the water and see what it’s like, to learn how to communicate with people and make connections. And having the supportive network from the Rubik Hub team, along with other founders who share their experiences, is incredibly helpful and something every startup founder would cherish.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?

The Rubik team is super helpful and Rubik Garage was one of the best acceleration experiences we have ever had. Everything is so positive but no-bullshit.

We encourage you to support Readmio and follow its journey on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.