If you feel that all of your texting conversations have morphed into emoji conversations, you are not alone. But if you are feeling that emjoi experience should be deeper, then Mojiit is calling your name. The company brings your emojis to real life through augmented hologram technology, delivering emojis and Bitmoji’s for the most personalized and real form of text messaging yet. With 2 other mobile startups (PingTank and Fibbol) under his belt, CEO and founder Jeremy Greene is now focused on changing the texting experience.
LA TechWatch spoke with Jeremy Greene about the startup and how he raised the first round of funding for the company.
Who were your investors and how much did you raise?
Ed Reed led our seed round along with four other unnamed investors. We raised a total of $1 million in our Seed round of funding.
Tell us about your product or service.
It’s very simple, we are the augmentative version of BitMoji. Users can scan their face, pick an avatar, customize it and send it to their loved ones and friends. When a Mojiit message is received, it will map the area once placing your Mojiit hologram in real time. It’s a new way of communicating and expressing yourself. If an animation can tell a whole story then you are saving time in your day texting.
What inspired you to start the company?
I just believed that augmented reality on mobile is going to change the way people communicate. I’m inspired by all things media and digital content.
How is it different?
Most things in the digital space are stickers and are flat and boring. This literally turns you into an Emoji.
What market you are targeting and how big is it?
I’m targeting millennials. As I believe they have their fingers on the pulse of all things that are cool.
What was the funding process like?
Oddly enough it was pretty easy. I raised this million in less than four days. I think it had a lot to do with my last company being built into Facebook messenger to 900 million devices.
What are the biggest challenges that you faced while raising capital?
Again, I think it had a lot to do with my earlier success and the technology behind Mojiit.
What advice can you offer companies in Los Angeles that do not have a fresh injection of capital in the bank?
Think outside the box. You could create the next Facebook or Snapchat but if you do not know how to market it correctly it wouldn’t matter. Be bold. Don’t be afraid to fail. You will almost never get it right the first time. With enough work ethic and persistence you can achieve anything. Never take no for an answer. Always Always Always never deliver a product that is not your best work.
What’s your favorite outdoor activity in LA?
The top of Coldwater Canyon