Winnipeg tech startup providing a pathway for newcomer software engineers
A team of newcomer software engineers is looking to put Winnipeg on the map as an A.I. hub.
“I think this is only the beginning, because we have big dreams, big visions, big goals, and we're only getting started,” said David Owasi, Founder of Outreach Genius, a tech startup in the Exchange District.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
David Owasi and his team have grown tenfold since launching the startup in May 2023. His colleagues write thousands of lines of code every day with the help of artificial intelligence.
Owasi launched the startup to help companies expand their marketing outreach. Using a combination of online data, A.I. and code, his team helps businesses find new customers by giving them leads.
“Every company needs leads,” Owasi said.
'In today's day and age, being able to simplify client acquisition is pivotal for survival'
“The question is, how are you going to get that lead? So what strategies are you going to use? We're solving a very core problem that is fundamental to every single company.”
Leads refer to any potential new customer who expresses interest in a company or topic.
“In today's day and age, being able to simplify client acquisition is pivotal for survival,” Owasi said.
“If a company doesn't know how to get their offer in front of people who are potentially interested, then there is no way to generate revenue.”
Owasi, a computer science graduate from the University of Manitoba moved to Canada over a decade ago.
He met his future co-founder at Tech Thursdays, a weekly event held at Kings Head Pub for young entrepreneurs.
Pasha Khoshkebari was a student in high school at the time with a serious knowledge of computers and how to start a business.
'I realized I didn’t just want a job, I wanted to lead a whole team'
“I went to Tech Thursdays with frankly, the idea, the goal of getting a software development job,” said Khoshkebari, cofounder of Outreach Genius.
“As I was there, more and more, I realized I didn’t just want a job, I wanted to lead a whole team. I'm trying to build a company that's going to put Winnipeg on the map like no other company has ever done in the past.”
Khoshkebari moved to Winnipeg from Iran in 2014. Over the past year, the two have recruited a team of 11 employees including six software engineers, all of whom are new to the city. A lot has changed since they launched the company.
“18 months ago, all I had was an idea with David, that's all we had,” Khoshkebari said.
“18 months later here we are, and I'm surrounded by people who are so much smarter than me.”
“What the next level right now is we are in the process of expanding capitalization, meaning that we're looking for investment to our company so that we can even hire more engineers to help us build some of our solutions,” Owasi said.
One business they’ve helped is Bookpeazy.com. It’s a start-up aimed at connecting people with providers like mechanics, barbers, and dry cleaners all of whom will bring their services to a home or business.
Yvan Boisjoli, founder of Bookpeazy.com and Bold Commerce hired Owasi’s team to find more business for his newest startup which began operating in March 2023.
“That's really the power of Outreach Genius is being able to get in front of your customers,” Boisjoli said.
“Outreach Genius goes a step further and kind of connects consumer behaviour with consumers that want to use your platform and targets the right customers. They're putting it together in a meaningful way to help craft your marketing message and your strategy.”
Boisjoli took inspiration to launch the online platform after visiting the Google campus in California in 2017.
“I always thought this would be a really powerful platform, especially for accessibility,” Boisjoli said.
“You know, there are a lot of people that just can't get around as easily as everybody else. Having all these services to care for them at their home, I just see it as a massive opportunity for the platform and for growth.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Donald Trump was the subject of 'an assassination attempt,' FBI reports
The FBI said Donald Trump was the target of “what appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday.
LIVE UPDATES 2024 Emmy Awards: 'The Bear,' 'Fargo' and 'Hacks' win acting awards
'Shogun,' 'The Bear' and 'Baby Reindeer' at the topo of the queue as the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards arrive on Sunday.
B.C. to open 'highly secure' involuntary care facilities
B.C. will be opening “highly secure facilities” for people with addiction and mental health issues in the province, officials said Sunday.
Calgary police honour 3 Calgarians who helped save Lanny McDonald’s life in airport incident
The Calgary police paid tribute to a trio of Calgarians who saved the life of Lanny McDonald at the airport in February, 2024.
They came from Jamaica for work, now they're homeless and out thousands of dollars in lost wages
Abuse of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program has left a group of carpenters from Jamaica 'destitute' after an Ottawa company refused to pay them for nearly half a year of work.
Montreal bars, restaurants react to Quebec bill to regulate merchant tipping requests
Quebec tabled a bill on Thursday that would regulate how merchants determine suggested tips, forcing businesses to calculate them based on the price before tax. Restaurant staff and management are divided on the policy.
Greater Sudbury resident dies in 5-vehicle crash involving 3 motorcycles near Port Dover
A person from Greater Sudbury died and two other individuals were transported to hospital after a five-vehicle crash near Port Dover, Ont., late Saturday afternoon.
Queen Victoria's favourite Tuscan villa for sale for more than US$55 million
Once a favoured holiday destination for Queen Victoria, and reputedly described in one of the greatest works of Italian literature, the Villa Palmieri is steeped in history and could now be yours – if you have more than €50 million (US$55 million) lying around.
Liberals will let Conservatives hold non-confidence vote 'fairly soon', no intention of proroguing Parliament
The Liberals have no intention of using procedural tactics to delay the Conservatives' promised non-confidence motion, and they have no plans to prorogue Parliament to hold onto power, according to Government House Leader Karina Gould.