1MC Recap: PerfectCube, Mission Academy help customers take action

Two local startups took the 1 Million Cups stage to discuss their solutions — each with a goal of helping their customers take action.

PerfectCube started the entrepreneurial program by presenting their data analytics web tool designed for small retail stores and franchise systems.

“We’ve pivoted a half dozen times on what we offer,” said PerfectCube founder Jim Starcev. “But we’ve always stuck with the same market — the small retail market. … We’re wanting to help those companies compete on a larger scale.”

The company’s tool focuses on actionable data, more so than big data, Starcev said. PerfectCube aims to help small retail stores gain insights on their customers so they can take steps to maximize their business.

PerfectCube has built out an initial version of their web-based tool, and is now working on its next iteration. The company hopes to launch version two during the fourth quarter of this year, and secure paying customers at that time.

The startup has also closed an initial round of seed funding, and is currently looking to expand their team, adding a developer and data scientist.

Mission Academy, an online educational platform for missionaries, followed PerfectCube’s presentation. Mission Academy’s platform will provide how-to videos, resources, webinars and online courses to missionaries preparing for mission trips. The resources will be made available in order to help volunteers take appropriate action to plan for and be successful in their work.

“There is a lack of resources out there for missionaries,” said Mission Academy founder Sam Werner. “We’re going to solve this problem — the headaches and the heartaches that missionaries go through.”

Currently Werner is considering a subscription model for the platform, charging between $20 and $30 per month for access to the website’s resources, including help from travel agents and insurance agents who understand the mission field.

Missions Academy is still under development, but Werner stated that he hopes to launch in the fall and is already marketing the concept to missionaries.