JFDI Discover is a 21-day online pre-accelerator program that runs every month. Discover teaches founders how to apply and get results from powerful startup tools such as the Lean Canvas, Pirate Metrics and OKR (Objectives & Key Results).
Ellen Chan of Golf Primo, a Singapore-based startup, shares her experience in the April JFDI Discover program and what she learned to further develop the business.
Golf Primo is an online golf booking engine that help golfers to search & book golf courses 24/7 with an automated real time management booking system. This allows golfers to manage their game schedule even outside of club opening hours.
Our main team consists of me, Ellen Chan (CEO & co-founder), and Konstantin Tsinovski (CTO & Co-founder). I manage the daily operation and the business side of company, whereas Konstantin is in charge of the technical aspects of the system.
Why did you start Golf Primo?
If you were to conduct a simple web search on golf courses in Asia, you would find that very few allow golfers to book game slots conveniently online. Close to 90% of golf clubs do not offer any online booking services as it is expensive to develop and maintain a golf management system online. Golfers are forced to book via phone, email or text message. The process is time consuming, and can only be conducted within club operating hours.
We aim to revolutionize the way people book golf. Golf Primo has developed a solution that allows consumers to perform real-time searches of available time slots, even when they are closed. For example, imagine you are traveling for a business trip and wanted to bring few business partners to a round of friendly golf. All you would have to do is search for your desired slot, book and pay. Since close to 90% of golfers use the Internet on regular basis, our platform allows golf clubs to offer their services on our online marketplace without having to develop any software themselves.
How did you find out about JFDI Discover?
We heard of JFDI through reading tech news. Out of curiosity I paid a visit to the website. Whilst browsing, I came across the Discover program and decided to sign up to see what it could offer for me and my company.
What were some of the challenges you faced before joining Discover?
Before joining Discover, two of our biggest challenges were finding more talent for our company and general expansion.
Was Discover helpful for your startup? How and why?
We found Discover to be very helpful. The Lean Canvas approach is particularly great, and the mentors were very helpful.
JFDI Discover teams fill out the Lean Canvas for their startups. Lean Canvas is the perfect format for brainstorming possible business models, prioritizing where to start, and tracking ongoing learning.
What is the one thing you learnt or did at Discover that you think other founders should know too?
Be disciplined and have a positive attitude. If a founder is really keen on learning and making the most of the program, they have to be able to complete the set tasks on schedule and learn from their mistakes.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience?
I learnt a lot through Discover. From my experience, it is especially useful for startups which are still in the brainstorming stages but also helpful for existing startups as there will always be something new to learn. The experience depends on how you make use of it. It was a great experience and I look forward to having more input from JFDI.
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Thinking of starting your own business? JFDI Discover will help you find out if you really want to be an entrepreneur. It will reveal if your team is aligned to deliver results. And it will show you how to solve a real problem for customers who are willing to pay thus moving closer to a “problem-solution fit”. NextDiscover program starts 8 May.
Cui-Lyn Huang is on the Editorial team for JFDI Asia. Currently taking a break from pursuing a combined major in Computer Science & Journalism at Northeastern University in Boston, and embracing life on the little red dot. She loves to write, she loves to eat, and loves to write about eating.