Arrow AI is a martech startup streamlining the creation and publication of social media content for businesses through artificial intelligence (AI).
Founded in: 2020
Location: San Francisco, California
Interview With Rolan Reichel
Describe your product or service & the problem it’s solving:
“Millions of businesses rely on business pages on social media for local discovery, booking that next job, or winning new business. And these pages require content and daily posting, which takes time away from running your business. Arrow solves this with automated business content powered by AI, customized to your business, and posted every day. Five minutes to content freedom!”
How did you come up with and validate your startup idea? Tell us the story!
“Arrow started on a simple idea, that millions of businesses were getting ‘locked out’ of marketing as it became 100% technology driven. We started by interviewing and organizing our local neighborhood retail shops to validate the idea, then launched a free browser extension to get more feedback. Over the past 15 months, we have talked to thousands of small businesses across hundreds of business categories to understand their pain points and requirements. On a more personal note, I grew up in a small business. When in grade school, my parents owned a retail shop with handmade crafts. We lived in the back of the shop, so I know small businesses firsthand.”
How is your startup funded, and what advice do you have for other founders seeking funding?
“We raised a small seed round from a fund and angel investors. Biggest advice is [to] gather your support when doing a startup. Remember, you might be the founder, but there are many on this journey with you – your family, your stakeholders, and even your friends – so be prepared to put everything forward to build your dream. The key to success is communication. Spend the time to keep everyone up to speed on what is happening in the business, both successes and failures. Build the trust of being a ‘straight shooter,’ so when things are tough, you can honestly go to your investors and seek help.”
How big is your team, and what qualities do you look for when hiring new employees?
“We are 14, and at the early stages, culture is everything. We are looking for certain skill sets, yes and always. In addition, how do you handle communications, stress, shifting priorities – these qualities are hard to measure but key to success in the startup environment.”
Who is your target market? How did you determine this, and what strategies did you use to reach and engage them?
“Our target market is micro businesses and solopreneurs. Companies of five or less where the founders are often working in the business (or sometimes, they are the business). Email marketing has worked well, and our big win is partnerships. We are partnered with companies these solopreneurs know and trust. A recommendation is gold!”
What’s your primary marketing strategy?
“Email marketing, partnership, and referral marketing.”
What has been your most successful marketing campaign, and why do you think it worked so well?
“Partnerships because we are a recommended solution by a trusted party.”
What do you consider to be your company’s biggest competitive advantage, and how do you maintain it?
“Ease-of-use and done-for-you. Arrow continues to implement leading edge, AI-powered automation, which makes our tool the easiest to use of any content marketing tool on the market.”
What were the biggest challenges you faced in the early stages of building your startup, and how did you overcome them?
“Wow, so many. Finding the right people and building the right product, to name a few.”
What is something that surprised you about entrepreneurship?
“Yes, it can be lonely. You work in small teams – no corporate events!”
What is your #1 piece of advice for startup founders?
“Cut bait when things are not working.”
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