Timon Gregg, co-founder of REV
Timon is the commercial lead at REV, an early-stage startup, that works on enabling the future of product demos in E-commerce. REV does this using state-of-the-art geometric aware AI, which enables rendering high-quality and 3D video content.
What is your background? What made you decide to get involved in supporting entrepreneurs?
With a background in social sciences and a longstanding interest in innovation, I have found startups to be particularly captivating. Moreover, I appreciate the rapid learning curve that one experiences when embarking on the journey of becoming an entrepreneur.
What is your definition of entrepreneurship?
I understand Entrepreneurship as the pursuit of opportunities beyond the confines of existing resources, resulting in the creation of value and societal impact.
How and when did you know your idea was good enough to develop it?
After refining our concept through the Oxford All Innovate pitch competition and receiving increasingly positive feedback, it became evident that this idea was worth pursuing further.
I believe it may be premature for me to offer advice at this early stage. Nonetheless, I do think that a combination of curiosity, passion, and resilience is essential for navigating the initial phases of a startup.
What is your favourite part of being an entrepreneur?
The exponential learning curve.
What individual, company or organization inspires you most? Why?
I am greatly inspired by Sam Altman and his remarkable achievements both at Y Combinator and OpenAI. His visionary leadership and contributions have left a profound impact on the startup ecosystem and the field of artificial intelligence.
If you had 5 minutes with the above individual/ company/organization, what would you want to ask or discuss?
I’m interested in exploring the strategies to effectively develop an AI company that consistently improves its technology at a rapid pace. Specifically, I would like to delve into methods for fostering and sustaining an enduring innovative spirit. Additionally, I would be keen to engage in a broader conversation about the significant topics and challenges Sam Altman believes will shape the coming decades.
What has been your most satisfying or successful moment in business?
Achieving a functioning MVP.
What would you say have been some of your mistakes, failures or lessons learned as an entrepreneur?
One crucial lesson is the importance of engaging with customers at the earliest stage possible in order to facilitate rapid iterations and improvements.
How have you funded your ideas?
We have bootstrapped and used AWS credits from the OX1 competition.
Are there any sector-specific awards/grants/competitions that have helped you?
Not yet.
What is good about being an entrepreneur in Oxfordshire? Bad?
Oxford offers an intellectually stimulating environment that brings together students from diverse professions, fostering a rich exchange of ideas. However, I believe that there is room for further enhancement in terms of offering more dedicated classes and opportunities specifically focused on entrepreneurship.
If a new entrepreneur or startup came to you looking for entrepreneurship resources, where would you send them?
I found the All-Innovate Competition and OX1 immensely useful in helping REV along its journey.
Any last words of advice?
If I were made to offer any final words of advice, it would be to embrace curiosity wholeheartedly. This journey has shown me the immense number of people working on remarkable endeavours, underscoring the importance of maintaining a curious mindset. Stay open to new ideas, explore diverse perspectives, and never cease your quest for knowledge. The world is full of fascinating opportunities waiting to be discovered.
