Tips for Startup Pivoting

Benjamin is the CEO of Chariot Payments – a fintech startup focusing on the transition between traditional fiat economies and the emerging spaces in DeFi (Decentralized Finance). Chariot experienced major disruption during the pandemic, resulting in the core leadership resigning before identifying a realistic product market fit or an achievable go-to-market strategy. The remaining members of the company refused to quit, reviewed the multitude of options in the landscape, and planned routes forward – eventually narrowing on the major opportunity they’re pursuing now. Through perseverance, creative problem solving, a trusting advisory board, and confidence in the team, Chariot is now stronger than ever and moving towards a Series A round – which will showcase their partnerships, their upcoming launch, and their unique opportunity for growth into multiple sectors.

Jason Kraus has been described as a “serial entrepreneur” by his friends and family ever since he opened his first business while still in college. He’s always been intrigued by how companies got their start and how products that are now household names came to be. This led him to found startup consulting firm Prepare4VC, to cofound an alternative investment group Equity Venture Partners and to later join as a partner on a micro-VC, EQx Fund.

To help others who share his passion, Jason is actively involved in Startup Grind and NextGen Summit, two notable startup communities developed to aid entrepreneurs in their endeavors.

Dakota is founder and CEO of Prospective Research, Inc., a startup company building products to replace the use of antibiotics and medicated feed in the aquaculture industry. Prior to founding Prospective Research, he was a scientist at HepatoChem, working on high-throughput bio-mimetic catalysis screening.