Diving into your target group mind – get to know Lakmoos and Kamila Zahradnickova

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to become a startup founder?

Our primary motivation was to ensure that customers’ voices were heard. Imagine achieving a perfect product-market fit on the first attempt, knowing that your product will sell, and understanding how to effectively communicate with the right audience. That was our goal.

Quite an ambitious pursuit! But how to achieve it?

We analysed how companies gather feedback from their clients. Our study included around 20 companies, from Paketa to Microsoft’s European headquarters. We found that to deliver outstanding products, services, and advertising, teams would require twelve times more research than they currently conduct. Requesting a budget twelve times larger was not feasible, as it risked not being taken seriously. This realisation led us to explore the possibility of creating an AR model that could simulate survey participants and accurately represent different sectors of society.

Sounds promising. What are the results of such exploration?

We came out on top. Thanks to Lakmoos, now companies can pose an unlimited number of questions to our research model and test their most innovative ideas in silico before committing substantial budgets. This approach saves time typically spent on approval processes involving surveys, interviews and focus groups.

While hearing about your product, I wondered what is your “founder superpower”? How do you cope with constant change and uncertainty?

I’d say it’s a combination of resilience and a touch of naivety (laughs). Last year, I had no clue about the journey ahead which, in hindsight, was for the best. We’ve faced numerous challenges and changes, akin to a rollercoaster ride. Not knowing what was coming allowed us to tackle each obstacle without preconceived fears. The path of a founder is extremely challenging, even for someone that never expected an easy journey.

Isn’t it like climbing a mountain? Daunting from the base, but manageable one step at a time.

Exactly! In our case, another key factor was a robust network of advisors who provided guidance whenever we faced uncertainties. This support was invaluable, especially in the early stages when we often needed advice. Without that, blissful unawareness would have meant nothing but a trap for us.

You seem to have been fortunate, but you also capitalised on those opportunities.

We were proactive in seeking advice, asking numerous questions to those around us. Being part of Gen Z means we’re young, but we also have a strong academic background and team members who have worked on IBM projects for Nestle. We’re not inexperienced, but there’s still much we don’t know, so we continue to ask questions and absorb knowledge. Fortunately, we’ve found that people are generally willing to share their experiences, and our task has been to ask the right questions at the right times.

Is the support you’ve received indicative of the entire Czech startup ecosystem?

Since I’ve recently returned to Prague after living in Rotterdam, I’ve noticed that the Czech startup ecosystem is incredibly welcoming and straightforward. It’s easier to find support here, which is one of the reasons why I came back. The Czech Republic hosts numerous events that foster openness and sharing of experiences, which is invaluable for learning and beneficial for young startups.

What about the media sector? How does it compare to your experience in the Netherlands?

The Czech Republic has CzechCrunch, an independent news agency that organises events and reports on industry updates. This is in stark contrast to the Benelux region, where event sponsorships and news reports often have ties to specific VC funds or corporations. Here, we have a media hub that supports the storytelling of startups, and the community is very approachable.

Considering the size of the Czech market, do startup founders need to think globally from the outset?

Absolutely. Localizing for just the Czech market or any single European country isn’t feasible. Our approach has been to consider the global market from the beginning, especially in product development. However, when it comes to sales and go-to-market strategies, we focus on where we can test markets quickly and leverage our existing networks, including the countries of our advisors.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced on your startup journey?

The startup journey is filled with obstacles and rejections. It can be overwhelming, and there’s a lot that can go wrong. A recent Sifted report highlighted the mental health struggles founders face. It’s daunting, but it’s important to keep working even when you’re scared. Starting is the hardest part, but fear shouldn’t paralyse you.

What’s the most rewarding part of being a startup founder?

For me, a very rewarding moment was when we implemented changes in our product, and I reviewed the updated version. It’s fulfilling to see something you’ve worked on come to fruition, especially when most of your work isn’t tangible, like writing code or producing a physical product. It’s usually abstract, measured in meetings or emails, but seeing the impact of your work is gratifying.

Any advice for those following in your footsteps?

Well, I’d say – ask many questions and be prepared for diverse perspectives, critiques, and feedback. It may be uncomfortable to revise your pitch deck multiple times, but seeking and acting on feedback is crucial. It’s the simplest yet most effective way to improve and succeed.

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