This is the second post of our new interview series to introduce our eight finalists in the week leading up to the Launch finals. To see Hive Maritime and other teams pitching on the big stage, come to the Launch finals at Kresge Auditorium on May 11!
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Team Name: Hive Maritime
Team Members: Brian Kirk, Chris Mannion, Sam Perlik, Zach Owen and Doug Stolz
Q: Give us a 1-sentence pitch of your idea!
A: Hive Maritime is saving the shipping industry billions of dollars with advanced analytics and optimization; by optimizing shipping routes and speeds based on predicted queues at ports and canals, vessels will save money on fuel, late fees and other contractual charges.
Q: Why did you decide to apply to the 100K?
A: The 100K competition brings together exciting new technologies with great business plans to help launch real companies. We are proud to be joining the other 100K finalist teams who have learned a lot during the process.
Q: If you could draft your ideal team of cofounders, present company excluded, who would you choose?
A: Nassim Nicholas Taleb for his contrarian view on predicting future events, Warren Buffett for his views on life.
Q: How does your team blow off steam and relax?
A: We are a very fitness-focused team. Shortly after the 100k finals the co-founders will be running in the 200-mile Ragnar Relay race on Cape Cod as part of a team from the MIT Veteran’s Association.
Q: What’s been the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received?
A: Perseverance - we entered every round of the 100K last year and never made it to a semi-final. This year our tenacity has paid off, and we’ve pitched in the finals for all 3 rounds!
Q: What are you most looking forward to for the Launch finals?
A: We’ve put so much time, effort and emotion into this company that we are really just thrilled to be able to share it with our friends, family, and the MIT and Boston entrepreneurial communities. The 100K Pitch and Accelerate rounds gave us valuable life experience pitching in front of large audiences, and provided valuable input and feedback that helped shape our business model for Launch. We know that, at the very least, we will walk off the stage at Kresge having received valuable insight and questions from the judges that we can use to continue to strengthen our business model and product as we move into alpha trials this summer.