Propel Founder Q&A — Sean Quinn, Timekeepr
Sean Quinn is a first time solo founder and was one of 20 companies on the Propel Pre-Accelerator 2018 with his start-up Timekeepr.
Describe what Timekeepr do:
Timekeepr is an employee time and job tracking software as a service platform for engineering, manufacturing and construction businesses. Employees can clock into work and specific jobs using facial recognition on a mobile/tablet app and the boring but useful stuff such as timesheets and shopfloor productivity reports are automated.
What are your thoughts on your Ignite experience in general?
It has been an amazing experience, especially as a first time entrepreneur. I probably take it for granted how many lessons I’ve learned from the experienced entrepreneurs I’ve met and been mentored by. It has been invaluable on finding direction and how to best shape my offering for the market.
What were the best and worst parts of the programme?
The best part for me was the weekly mentoring with Tristan alongside the workshops where it felt we were getting trade secrets!
I wouldn’t say there were any bad parts, though as a solo founder, balancing daily tasks and taking in everything from the programme was hard but you get out of the programme what you want to!
What was the biggest shift in thinking that you had over the six months?
The product was originally a time and attendance tracker for generic businesses. Through the mentor and customer feedback I recieved, I went through a big shift in product. I realised capturing a market niche — engineering, manufacturing and construction businesses — gave my customers more value by the industry tailored features I could develop and offer.
Where did the programme help you the most?
Direction! Every week, there might be a million things going through my head, so to be able to sit down with a mentor who could offer insight on what to focus on, accelerated my thinking process.
What was your biggest breakthrough over the six months?
- Honing in on a market niche
- I learnt so much about the whole landscape of investment; I didn’t have a clue before! Now I know the people I need to meet and the pros and cons of different routes of securing investment.
How do you rate being a start-up in Belfast?
I honestly feel it is the start of a start-up revival in Belfast. The Ormeau Baths is full of epic companies — a few years ago, I don’t think you could have filled a space like this. Belfast is a cheap place to live, full of talented people — and you can get honest feedback; people won’t butter you up!
Where do you see Timekeepr 6 months after the programme?
When I joined the programme in January, the product was at concept stage. Now it’s live across 7 fee paying businesses using it daily.
In the next 6 months, my plans are to begin onboarding international businesses and accepting fees in other currencies and scale to £5000 MRR.
What would you say to a new founder considering the programme?
Do it! If it’s a tech based business — and no matter if it’s your first start-up or your 6th — you’ll get value and won’t regret it.
Sum up your Ignite experience in three words.
Challenging. Strategic. Fun.
