BWDisrupt interacted with Simon Baker, who is the founder & CEO CricHQ to know about his innovative venture.
Simon is a tech entrepreneur with extensive business technology experience. Combining his expertise and passion for cricket he founded CricHQ and has grown a team of like-minded sports and technology experts, driven by the company's vision. Prior to focusing his attention on mobile, Simon had a career spanning 20 years in technology with a focus on knowledge management and big data. Due to Simon's expertise, it was natural for him to lead CricHQ in developing a technology platform to digitise and streamline these aspects. How did the entrepreneurial bug bite you?
I've had entrepreneurial tendencies from a young age. It's come from an inherent nature to question the status quo and to challenge the 'norm'.
When was your startup founded and who are the co-founders?
I've had a number of start ups. The first start-up that involved co-founders was a Knowledge Management consultancy in NZ, my co-founder was a subject matter expert who was one of the the most regarded knowledge management experts in NZ. My most recent start up is CricHQ, my first two investors were Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum, both international cricketing superstars who help immensely with CricHQ in the formation of strategy, credibility and networking.
What is your Product or Service / Offerings to Customer? How does your startup work?
CricHQ started out simply to replace the cricket scorebook with a smartphone app, it's evolved into an "enterprise platform" for cricketing bodies administering the sport around the world.
What were the challenges your startup faced while setting up this startup?
One of the biggest challenges was our location. NZ is a long way from the rest of the world, but a 'hot bed' of innovation. In latter years, we've grown the bulk of our team in the UK and India; the Home and Heart of cricket worldwide.
Who are your competitors?
CricHQ doesn't really have any competitors in the sense of being an "enterprise platform", however in the fullness of time, CricHQ will start competing with CricInfo, CricBuzz and traditional broadcasters such as STAR and SKY.
How is your business model different from the existing ones?
Our business model is unique, our platform is designed from the ground up to benefit all stakeholders within the cricketing community, no one else can claim they deliver this.
Who are your clients? How do you look at expanding?
52 of the worlds 106 national governing bodies (NGB's) are clients of CricHQ, along with 1,000's of cricket associations. We will be expanding by offering additional functionality to clubs and schools and also by way of video streaming / broadcasting.
What are the traction details?
As above, CricHQ has 52 NGB's, 1,000's of associations, millions of players and millions of users.
What is the funding status and how do you monetize?
CricHQ is well funded and has robust monetisation strategies that we are in the process of implementing.
The best and worst memories while setting up?
The best memories are always around going to local cricket matches wherever I happen to be, and seeing young and old scorers alike using our technology, also there are now first class players the world over with a digital history of their "pre first class cricket" whereby this was impossible before CricHQ. Some of the worst memories are recalling situations where I've taken advice from people whereby I knew they didn't understand my business, but trusted them and their expertise against my better judgement. I'm far more critical of other peoples expertise these days.
Your Marketing Plans so that world knows you.
We have only just started investing properly in marketing, we have some great plans, some great campaigns and some awesome concepts coming out to the world soon! Watch this space.
What is the market size and market opportunity?
Literally limitless, the Cricketing world is a sleeping giant of opportunity and we are working hard with NGB's the world over in transforming cricket. Then there is the rest of the world of sport.
BW Reporters
Soumya is a young writer and journalist, with bachelors in Multimedia and Mass Communication. She is an alumini of the Asian College of Journalism, and finds politics and sustainability intriguing beats to work with.
