KillerPolitics is a social media platform for live debates that is monitored by artificial intelligence and voted on by a virtual audience.
Interview with Erik Underwood
Describe your product or service:
“KillerPolitics is the first live video debating platform that is monitored by an AI system and voted on by the audience at large.
This platform will allow users from all walks of life a chance to participate, create, and view debates in an array of topics such as politics, music, environment, etc.”
Describe your company values and mission:
“Provide and create a civil atmosphere for public debates on any topic.”
How are you funded? I.e. venture capital, angel investors, etc.
“Self-funded.”
How big is your team? Tell us a little about them (I.e. co-founders, freelancers, etc.)
“Just under 20 individuals.”
Did you always want to start your own business? What made you want to become an entrepreneur?
“Yes. I was in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, and my mentor was an entrepreneur.”
How did you come up with your startup idea? How did you decide to actually act on the idea? What gave you confidence that you were on the right track?
“I came up with the idea [from] watching the endless back and forth on social media. The decision process starts with the logo and works out from there. Everyone who I have talked to about this idea has loved it.”
How did you come up with your company name? Did you have other names you considered?
“No other names considered — KillerPolitics came from the sense of passion (killer) and debating any topic (politics). There [is] politics in everything.”
What is the greatest challenge you faced in starting your business, and how did you overcome it?
“The parent company, My24HourNews.Com, has been faced with defending IP against fortune 100 companies. The stress, time, and capital went mostly towards protecting those rights. Overcoming it was entirely based [on] the confidence that KillerPolitics is much needed in today’s social media market.”
Who is your product or service made for? Who is your target market?
“Everyone [13 and over] with a target being towards those who are passionate about debating on social media.”
What’s your marketing strategy?
“Social media ads, word of mouth, and media contacts.”
What are the key customer metrics / unit economics / KPIs you pay attention to to monitor the health of your business?
“Backend custom content management system that tracks the statistics of every aspect of our platform.”
What’s your favorite entrepreneurial book and podcast?
“Ted Turner’s autobiography ‘Call Me Ted.’”
What is the biggest lesson you learned during your journey?
“Always protect your IP and make sure it is protected in all aspects.”
Who is your support system?
“A strong group of close friends and mentors.”
How do you stay motivated?
“By remembering my days in a housing project.”
Did you have to develop any habits that helped lead you to success? If so, what are they?
“Persistenc[e] is key.”
What are you most proud of as an entrepreneur?
“The platforms and technology I have developed.”
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