Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jason Alvarez-Cohen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jason, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

At a dazzling, Gatsby like Hollywood Hills party, surrounded by the revelry and sparkling lights, I met someone who when asked to connect, took out an NFC card and simply tapped my phone. Watching the effortless exchange of information, an electrifying vision of the future unfolded before me. This small device, capable of sharing information with just a tap, ignited a fervor within me, setting the stage for what would become an innovation in professional networking.

I’ve always been passionate about technology. From overclocking Android phones, to experimenting with gadgets under the guidance of my UC Berkeley engineer parents, I was no stranger to the world of cutting-edge tech. But it was this fateful night in 2019 that provided the spark that I needed to create an exciting prototype and see what happens.

Teaming up with my best friend Nick Eischens, I embarked on a journey to turn this vision into reality. Bound by our shared passion and complementary skills, we set out to create a device that would make the cumbersome exchange of business cards a relic of the past. Drawing from my background in computer science and electrical engineering, I crafted a prototype that stuck to the back of a smart phone that allowed users to share their contact information with a simple tap.

Once we had perfected our prototype, we ordered hundreds of NFC tags to start selling them as products. The road to success was not without its challenges. Our first attempt at running ads for Popl on Instagram and Facebook did terribly, bringing in almost no sales. But then we decided to try an up and coming social media called TikTok. And in early 2020, Popl exploded into the public eye, going viral on TikTok with one of our videos hitting 80M+ views. The sheer novelty and utility of the product captivated millions, and what started as a spark in the Hollywood Hills rapidly transformed into a blazing phenomenon​.

By the time Popl entered the prestigious Y-Combinator accelerator in 2021, we had already facilitated over 20 million global connections, attracting an impressive clientele, including major companies like Compass real estate, Prudential, and six NBA teams.

Popl’s impact on the professional networking landscape was profound. It wasn’t just about replacing paper business cards; it was about redefining how connections were made and sustained in a digital age. The platform’s seamless integration with CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot turned fleeting encounters into lasting professional relationships, empowering sales teams, marketing members and more to manage their networks with unprecedented efficiency​.

Looking ahead, I envision a future where Popl continues to grow profitably, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of modern networking. With a passionate team and an unyielding vision, Popl stands on the brink of revolutionizing the way the world connects, one scan at a time.

Jason, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Jason Alvarez-Cohen, a dedicated tech entrepreneur with a deep-rooted passion for innovation. My journey into the world of technology began in my childhood in Berkeley, California, where I was inspired by my UC Berkeley engineer parents. This early exposure to technology ignited my curiosity and set the stage for my future endeavors.

As a child, I was fascinated by gadgets and often pushed their limits. For instance, I overclocked my first Android phone, which was my introduction to the vast possibilities within the tech world. This experimentation laid the foundation for my career in technology and entrepreneurship​.

I pursued my passion for technology at UCLA, where I studied computer science. My academic journey was marked by a deep interest in creating software that could solve real-world problems and bring value to people’s lives. After graduating in 2018, I briefly worked at Boeing, where I gained valuable experience working with intelligent and experienced colleagues. However, the repetitive nature of the job led me to realize my potential for creating impactful software and drove me to pursue my entrepreneurial ambitions​.

In 2019, a chance encounter with NFC technology at a Hollywood Hills party sparked a revolutionary idea, leading to the creation of Popl. This idea was driven by the desire to simplify the exchange of contact information through a simple tap, using NFC technology. Together with my best friend Nick Eischens, we developed Popl, which has since transformed professional networking​. Today, Popl has over 55 full time members, over $12M+ in ARR, and has large enterprise customers all over the world getting value from our digital business card services, including 6 different NBA teams.

Beyond my work with Popl, I am passionate about continuous personal and professional growth. I am bullish on learning new things every single day, traveling to meet customers, networking with diverse individuals, and fostering a strong team culture. My adventurous and social nature is reflected in my hobbies, which include scuba diving, playing the piano, reading, and engaging in various outdoor activities​.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

In early 2021, we raised our $2.5M seed round after completing Y Combinator. This achievement was a significant milestone for the company, which had already garnered attention due to its innovative use of NFC technology for digital business cards.

Our journey through Y Combinator (YC) was both intense and rewarding. We participated in the Winter 2021 batch, which, due to being directly during the COVID-19 pandemic, was conducted entirely remotely. Despite the unique challenges posed by the remote setup, YC provided invaluable support and guidance.

The program included rigorous training sessions, frequent interactions with YC partners, and access to a vast network of investors and mentors. Our primary group partner, Michael Seibel, was an incredible mentor, teaching us new techniques and ideas every step of the way. Some of our favorite concepts from Michael were to:
1. Talk to your users constantly
2. Don’t try and build everything for everyone. Focus on a single problem to solve and solve it better than anyone else.

During the YC program, we focused on refining our product, improving user experience, and solidifying our business model. The culmination of these efforts was an event called Demo Day, where we presented our pitch to a large audience of potential investors. The pitch effectively communicated the value of our product and the market need it addressed, which was crucial in securing funding.

As a result, we raised $2.5 million in seed funding from a mix of investors, including Y Combinator itself and other notable venture capitalists like Goat VC, Urban Innovation Fund, Cathexis Ventures, Justin Kan, and more. This funding was instrumental in scaling the company, expanding our team, and accelerating product development​.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

One of the most beautiful things about the digital business card concept, is the inherent virality that comes with it. The core of this virality lies in the seamless way users share their contact information with others. When a Popl user shares their digital card with a non-Popl user, that recipient is introduced to the Popl platform and its awesomeness. This interaction naturally encourages the recipient to sign up for Popl themselves, to enjoy the same ease of sharing contact details.

Moreover, each new user becomes a potential evangelist for the platform. As more people experience the efficiency and modernity of Popl, they are likely to share it with their networks, creating a ripple effect. This word-of-mouth growth is amplified through social media, where users often showcase the innovative features of Popl, further driving its adoption.

Popl’s integration with various social media platforms and CRM systems enhances its appeal, making it an indispensable tool for professionals who value streamlined networking. This integration ensures that every new contact made through Popl can be effortlessly added to existing digital networks, providing additional incentive for adoption.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://popl.co
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonalco
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/jason11ac
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jasonalco
• Twitter: https://x.com/jason_alco
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@poplco
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jasonalco

Image Credits

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