James Martin of Huvr Inc.
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with James Martin (co-founder and CTO) of Huvr Inc., which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of Huvr – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
Huvr was originally created to give people the ability to virtually travel for a very affordable price, and from the safety of their own homes. Research shows that a small percentage of Americans have never ventured outside of a three state radius, and an even smaller percentage have never traveled internationally. As with many technologies, the app’s core capabilities will allow for many other scenarios based on users’ preferences. Families with kids can travel and explore the world on a Friday night from the comfort of their couch, and for a fraction of the cost it would take to travel in person.
World travelers can explore their next potential destination using the Huvr App to prioritize and get a real life feel of where they may or may not want to go to. Others will use the Huvr app to scope out real time news worthy events without having to rely on mainstream media spins and agendas. In addition to this, there are educational opportunities with classrooms using the Huvr app to go to historic sites, universities using it to give campus tours, and real estate professionals using it for giving clients access to real time visibility to homes and neighborhoods. In addition to the original intent of the app, COVID has made it more relevant and viral as people in all sectors have gotten used to virtual meetings and interactions. Huvr has taken that to the next level.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
The biggest hurdles we have encountered so far are figuring out and working with the international regulations, guidelines, and currencies. We have stayed diligent and solutioned a very effective and efficient system to make sure our Walkers around the world get paid on time and in their currency.
What does the future hold for Huvr?
The future for Huvr is bright. We have incredible traction and momentum with the funds we have raised so far, and the opportunities we have in front of us with interested parties including VCs and home office investors is fantastic. The technology enhancements are moving along nicely and quickly as we have streamlined our agile methodology and development sprint schedule. We are now pushing out enhancements and new capabilities every two weeks.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Colorado Springs?
I am pleasantly surprised with the local tech startup scene in Colorado Springs. I’ve been in and out of this space for the last 10-12 years, working in the past with the Colorado Springs technology incubator on another startup company in conjunction with cadets and graduates from the Air Force Academy, along with a few other projects. It’s always fun and exciting to see companies and technology being created and driven from your local city.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
My advice is to stay diligent, don’t ever give up, and ride the fun roller coaster of entrepreneurship highs and lows. That’s what makes this journey fun and fulfilling. There’s nothing like busting through barriers, and creating the breakthroughs that lead to successful endeavors and businesses!