Kadonation

When Kadonation first joined Birdhouse's kickoff wave, they had just developed an MVP: a simple platform aiming to streamline group gifting. "At that point, there wasn’t really much value for potential customers," Fabrice notes. "From day one, thanks to the mentors at Birdhouse, we realized the need for strategic partnerships."

Embracing the network effect became second nature to Kadonation. "While the workshops and the constant guidance from mentors were great, we gained immensely from peer-to-peer relationships with other startups," Fabrice adds. "For instance, Stampix, another startup from our group, was out looking for retailers too. If they stumbled upon a lead, they'd share it with us, and we'd do the same for them."

While expanding their network initially targeted quick results, Kadonation continues to benefit from the relationships they built during their time at Birdhouse. “Several mentors and entrepreneurs from that time are still on our board of directors,” Fabrice says.

Leveraging the expansive network provided by the accelerator, the founders journeyed into the depths of entrepreneurship and all its complexities. "Birdhouse pushed me into a ‘screw it, let’s do it’ mindset, and I’m all the better for it," shares Fabrice. "In the early days, a founder is called to be a jack-of-all-trades. Thanks to hands-on workshops and enlightening lunchtime discussions on topics from business development to marketing, Birdhouse really fueled our momentum.”

Fabrice's journey was marked by embracing challenges and stepping out of his comfort zone. “I can still feel the nerves from my initial pitches for Kadonation. By nature, I'm more of a quiet tech enthusiast. But I understood that a startup's triumph is intrinsically linked to the story it tells. That first pitch to Luc Van Mol (ZEB) had me on edge. Yet, when it hit the mark and opened doors to collaborate with ZEB, it supercharged my confidence, spurring me to keep sharpening my pitching skills."

The "screw it, let's do it" ethos wasn't just about bravado—it required diligence and the ability to pivot quickly and adapt to changing market conditions. "Having a guiding hand, someone who can envision the bigger picture, is essential. Our weekly catch-ups with Birdhouse mentors made sure we were always making progress. We constantly felt driven to up our game,” Fabrice reflects.

One of Fabrice's most valuable takeaways? Putting the customer at the heart of the business. "You're not doing it for yourself - your business isn't about you," he remarks. "Yet, it's vital to focus on your personal growth too. Birdhouse is one of the few accelerators that also puts a spotlight on your personal life. As a founder, it's tempting to become addicted to progress. Once you've hit a milestone, you barely take a moment to stop and think about it because you've already taken on whatever's next."

Fabrice has learned to take the time to reflect on his progress. "We've come a long way with Kadonation, and every day we move a step closer to our grand dream of becoming the leader in the corporate gifting market. But one thing is for sure: without Birdhouse, we wouldn't even be here today," he concludes.

Dreaming of taking your business to new heights? Join the Birdhouse accelerator now!