Following our previous startup spotlight in the lead up to our events dinner in partnership with evvnt, we are pleased to introduce Dan Monsieurle of justFDI.

What is the elevator pitch for your startup

At justFDI we have ThinkWall (an event display software service) and ThinkBikes (a bike stunt display team). At ThinkWall we provide custom branded displays featuring moderated Twitter and Instagram feeds, event timetabling and digital signage, live voting, Q&A sessions, photo slideshows and video. We support interaction and activities through a BYOD approach – utilising Twitter, SMS/MMS, or mobile web app. This means all AV in a venue can be controlled from a smartphone, tablet or laptop. At ThinkBikes our people jump off tall things on mountain bikes for money.

What were you doing before you launched your startup?

IT, product development, social media, long walks on the beach and getting caught in the rain.

Where did you meet your co-founders?

At a dating geeky discussion forum for Linux users at Kent University. Our eyes met over a talk on wifi hacking and the possibilities seemed endless. Skipping to the good bit – we made some apps together then I suggested we start a company.

What’s your biggest ‘hindsight’ moment?

Keeping a six week old kitten in the office was a big mistake. Chewed. Everything.

What will 2014 bring?

Professionally: more action! We’ll see more organisers want to do activities to achieve engagement objectives. That’s right – no more hiring AV just to loop a video. Personally: I’ve already committed to more mentoring. I’ll be taking more time to practice what I preach about personal branding. I might resume my hunt for that unicorn called Work-Life Balance.

1 piece of advice for someone starting a business in the events space?

Don’t keep your ideas to yourself, talk to as many people as you can, you’ll get so much free advice and your idea probably isn’t worth stealing anyway.

Convince someone to use your product/service in under 50 words.

Pretty please.

What’s your favourite startup in the events space (not including your own)?

It’s a toss up between Noodle Live (event apps, RFID and NFC) and GleanIn (social media dashboards and registration systems) because the founders of both have a strong vision. As principle, I’ll recommend something once if I like the team, then forever after if my clients feedback with – “they were brilliant, thanks for the introduction!”

What’s your favourite London restaurant?

Pierre Victoire on Dean Street, they know how to cook a duck.

Great choices! Gleanin is joining our dinner next week and we’re waiting to hear whether Live Noodle will also be there (nudge nudge).

If events aren’t your thing, read about our recent edtech startups dinner and look out for music and beauty startups (coming soon) or nudge us to arrange dinner for your industry if you’re feeling left out.

Thanks to our dinner sponsors: