Go Vocab Case Study

BNZ Start-Up Alley winners, Go Vocab achieved in market validation, connections and partnerships that accelerated company growth during their month at Kiwi Landing Pad.

Michael Dowse and Jeremy Geros founded Go Vocab in January 2011. The entrepreneurs felt learning a second language was very important – but neither found the language programme at their High School engaging. So, they designed and built technology that provides a more rewarding and engaging way to teach and learn a language.

Go Vocab’s technology provides the tools to immerse students in learning a language using gamification techniques like rewards, trophies and support using social media applications like Facebook.

Go Vocab enables language teachers to create classes and word lists, set goals and track the progress of students. Students can play vocab games, compete with classmates and see the activity of Facebook friends using the site.

Go Vocab’s Story

Go Vocab pitched their business plan to a live audience at the 2012 Webstock Conference held in Wellington. Go Vocab won the BNZ Start-Up Alley prize, which included an all expenses paid trip to San Francisco and included 4 weeks at Kiwi Landing Pad.

Michael and Jeremy arrived at Kiwi Landing Pad in San Francisco in October 2012. Their flights, accommodation and desk all covered as part of winning the BNZ Start- Up Alley prize.

They worked alongside other start up companies based in the SoMa (South of Market) area of San Francisco. Accommodation was at Startup Bunks - the hostel located next door to Kiwi Landing Pad, and provided an instant social and business network with start-up companies and entrepreneurs from all over the world.

KLP gave us instant exposure to the Silicon Valley tech community. A very inspiring and motivating 4 weeks!

Company Name:
Go Vocab

Website:
www.govocab.com

Founded: 2011

Employees: 5

Business Summary:
Go Vocab is an application that provides the tools for learning new languages.

Video:

Results

Michael and Jeremy were exposed to the vibrant hub and powerful ecosystems that drive the technology sector in the San Francisco Bay Area. They have established relationships with other young entrepreneurs, learned new techniques and skills through exposure to specialist skill sets and engaged with experts in business growth and diversification.

They have gained confidence to return to New Zealand and put these experiences into real opportunities to grow Go Vocab through diversifying their product offering and tweaking their sales model to accelerate customer acquisitions.

Highlights

  • Soft launch into the North American market
  • Established partnerships in the education community
  • Attended a conference on teaching modern languages
  • Connected with local San Francisco startups and shared ideas and experiences
  • Built relationships with San Francisco based Kiwi entrepreneurial community

About Webstock and BNZ Start-Up Alley

Webstock is a range of web-related events with the aim of improving how websites are built through inspiration, education, insightful analysis and practical application. It features industry leaders and kick-ass speakers talking on topics such as accessibility, web standards, usability and other best practices.

BNZ Start-Up Alley is an opportunity to take your start-up to the next level. It might just be the helping hand you need and it’s certainly a promotional opportunity you won’t get anywhere else. If your start-up is chosen you’ll be able to tell everyone at Webstock what you’re about and pitch your start-up to our panel of expert judges in front of a live audience.

Learn more about Webstock 2013 at www.webstock.org