Back by popular demand, in this week’s Startup life Q&A series we take a few minutes from working with our portfolio of startups, for a semi-serious chat with Aristeidis Kypriotis, Head of Growth at Starttech.
Q1: So Aristeidis, let’s start off lightly. How would you characterize the kind of startup which Starttech would like to invest in and help accelerate?
A software-based startup with an early working prototype, which is coming out of the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Q2: What’s your proudest Starttech work moment so far?
Several minor victories about hefty reductions in CPA (cost per acquisition) in digital campaigns (stop being so modest – Ed).
Q3: And something you’re least proud of? Work-related please, let’s keep this as clean as possible.
There has been a certain attribution problem, which had me losing sleep over it, sometimes even literally. A lot of validated learning, in the process, but no desirable outcomes so far.
Q4: Right that’s the pleasantries out of the way. You’re not very tall for someone whose job title is Head of Growth. Why is that?
I’m glad you asked me this one Graham. You see, the average height in Greece for males, and that’s a weighted average to eliminate any sampling bias, is approximately 1.77m. I’m 1.83m, so I’m considerably above average versus the general population. However, this average is an oversimplification, as it doesn’t account for the variation between age groups, urban and non-urban populations. And there has also been methodological issues, concerning self-reporting versus direct measurements. But in any case, I am considerably above the average value. Does that answer you question? (er, yes kind of. I guess that’s me told. Hope our readers are still with us here. Should have guessed he’s a physics major – Ed)
Q5: What do you enjoy doing the most?
Playing competitive, team sports, even e-sports in fact. Oh, it wasn’t supposed to be work related, was it?
Q6: Right, let’s move on to the more important aspects of your daily routine. What’s the first thing you do when you get to the office?
After the mandatory task of getting coffee and/or snacks, a quick look through my data sources to see if there’s anything abnormally high or low, versus the expected values.
Q7: And the last thing you do before you leave?
Maybe weirdly enough, I don’t have any specific “leaving the office rituals” (he really doesn’t people. Not like my ritual anyway – Ed)
Q8: Which tools do you use daily and do you have any secret tips and tricks, which help your productivity?
Probably too many to list here. It consists mainly of a collection of Google products (Analytics, Data Studio, Optimize, AdWords and so on). My secret tip? Do not use too many tools!
Q9: What’s your favorite Spotify playlist when you need to be productive?
A custom one I have, which is based off an old radio show I used to host. You didn’t expect that, did you? (Nope, I didn’t. But you do have a great face for radio – Ed)
Q10: What would you say to anyone considering getting involved in a startup?
Getting involved in founding one, or just working for one? The question is a bit ambiguous. But to give you an answer, nonetheless, if it is in founding a startup, or being part of a founding team, I would say, you need to have persistence and the ability, as well as the will, to adapt. In both cases, it’s well worth getting involved, even for the valuable experience you’ll get from it.
Q11: OK, time for a few quick fire questions. What’s the last message you received on Slack?
“Lunch in 15 minutes”, guess who send it… (Hmm, that would be me I think – Ed)
Q12: If you were dropped onto a desert island which album would you take with you?
Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti.
Q13: The Simpsons or South Park?
South Park, mm kay?
Q14: If you could be a superhero, which one would you be and why?
Batman, obviously. I won’t start with the why because that is a long conversation.
Q15: Tell me something about you you’ve never told anyone.
Nice try sunshine. Wouldn’t trust you with a secret, even if my life depended on it (fair enough, I don’t blame you. Sorry readers, at least I tried to get some juicy content for you – Ed)
Q16: When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Hmm, actually using honey as a dip for french fries (And who’s great idea was that? Yes mine – Ed)
Q17: Right. Let’s get serious again to finish things off on a productive note. In your opinion, what are the key elements of a successful ‘growth’ strategy?
My principle is “you can’t improve something you don’t measure”.
Q18: In brief, what are the most important aspects to consider when you evaluate a potential startup’s business idea?
Personally, I would say the team behind it.
Q19: So why should a startup come to Starttech?
Because we don’t see the startups we invest in simply as an investment. They are ventures we are personally, and even passionately, interested in.
Q20: And why should an investor or fund invest their money in Starttech?
We are highly specialised in our chosen niche, and therefore can mitigate part of the risk that is traditionally involved in such types of investments.
Thanks Aristeidis. Off you go and finish those 2 PhD’s you started. You know you want to.
