Starting a business at just 19-years-old is no small feat, but for Nick Mihailou, the founder of Heffron.ai, it’s all part of the big plan.
Heffron.ai is an Aussie tech startup making waves with innovative products designed to help businesses and individuals streamline their telecommunication.
At a recent SXSW Sydney conference, AZK Media’s Managing Director Azadeh Williams quizzed the 19-year-old tech entrepreneur on the challenges and opportunities ahead, the future of AI in business and the global ambitions for Heffron.ai.
Let’s jump into the conversation!
From stealth mode to stellar success: How to stand out as a tech startup
There’s no doubt AI is shifting almost every industry into a new era of innovation at a rapid rate. An IDC report states that 90% of retail tools will embed AI algorithms by 2026. It further emphasises by the same year that “AI spending in Asia-Pacific is expected to reach US$46.6 billion,” highlighting its growing importance in the region.
As businesses rush to acquire the necessary skills for mastering AI, those who successfully navigate these challenges can unlock unprecedented growth and innovation–like Heffron.ai.
“We’ve come out of stealth mode a few months ago,” Nick explains, “and you see the competition out there with this immediate product we’ve been building.”
The tech ecosystem is teeming with startups trying to attract attention from both enterprises and small businesses. Everyone is fighting for visibility, and it’s not just about being seen, but about connecting in meaningful ways.
“It’s incredibly important to have a strong product. But how you message your product, how you reach people, and how you talk to them – these are all equally important,” adds Nick.
A firm believer in PR and media marketing, Nick’s approach to standing out revolves around face-to-face interactions and finding alternative ways to grow that don’t involve spending a fortune on ads.
“Coming to events like this is a great place to meet people directly and chat with them. It’s a big part of our business,” he says.
Developing a higher quality product
While marketing is vital for growth and expansion, Nick believes having a superior product is the foundation of success. If your product doesn’t meet expectations, they’ll quickly move on to someone else.
Heffron.ai’s products, focused on communication automation, are designed to make life easier for individuals and businesses alike.
“You need to have a different product–a better product than your competitors,” he says. “In our case at Heffron.ai, we do have that.”
Enterprise skills are imperative for future success
A 2017 Deloitte study found 63% of all jobs by 2030 will be enterprise-skills intensive, compared to half of all jobs in 2000. The number of jobs in soft-skill-intensive occupations is expected to grow at 2.5 times the rate of jobs in other occupations.
Soft skills are referred to as employability and enterprise skills and they are transferable between industries and jobs. They include communication, teamwork and problem solving, as well as emotional judgement, professional ethics and global citizenship.
This young go-getter is not even new to the tech space. Nick has been developing apps and games since he was 12. The following year, he became one of the youngest developers in Australia to land an app on Apple’s app store. Then, at 17, he raised $700,000 in venture capital funding for an overseas start-up, while working there as the chief technology officer.
How does AI enhance telecommunications for businesses?
With the rapid growth in AI adoption at the forefront of Nick’s mind, his vision is entrenched in global expansion and product excellence.
Heffron.ai recently launched two innovative products, each designed to transform how people handle phone calls and communications.
One of the standout products is the Smart Voicemail feature – a sophisticated AI-powered assistant that helps individuals manage their phone calls. When a person can’t answer a call, AI steps in to have a conversation with the caller and sends a simple SMS back to the user with essential details. It’s an intelligent, user-friendly tool that filters out spam calls and ensures no important messages are missed.
But Heffron.ai isn’t just focused on individual users. It’s also rolling out a business product aimed at helping small businesses and enterprises optimise their call handling.
For example, a pizza restaurant missing half of its incoming calls could lose valuable revenue opportunities. Heffron.ai’s AI receptionist answers calls on behalf of the business, capturing new leads and providing support at scale, all while saving time and reducing operational costs.
With two industry-disruptive products already launched, the company is looking forward to announcing a new fundraising round. This will be a major step in the company’s journey as it looks to accelerate growth and expand its footprint in the Australian market and beyond.
Global ambitions on the horizon
While Heffron.ai is making waves in Australia, Nick has global ambitions.
“The US is always on the cards,” he says, acknowledging that many startups–whether from Australia, Europe or other parts of the world–are eager to tap into the American market.
“It’s the biggest market for a reason,” Nick explains. “People are incredibly interested in AI technology there in a great way.”
Expanding into the US would provide a huge opportunity for Heffron.ai, and Nick also has sights on the UK, Europe and other international markets as part of the company’s growth plans.
An inspiring journey for any fresh tech startup
Nick’s journey as a 19-year-old tech founder is a testament to the power of passion, innovation, and a commitment to solving real-world problems. As the company continues to grow, his vision for AI-driven communication solutions is only getting started.
Authored by Jessica Phillips (Poulter), Senior Social Media and Communications Specialist at AZK Media.
At AZK Media, we specialise in helping global technology companies get noticed in new and emerging markets. We make driving your growth, our business. Contact us today to see how we can strengthen your expansion efforts.
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