By: Lloyed Lobo
There are several risks associated with projects, particularly in the oil and gas and construction industries – supplier delays, financing issues, low quality of materials etc., each with a probability of occurrence and level of impact. This week’s startup, Intaver, has developed a Project Risk Analysis and Management Software that helps determine all the risks and critical issues associated with a project, their impact and financial burden, and the most effective ways to manage them.
Despite an impressive customer list including NASA, US Department of Energy, US Department of Agriculture, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing to name a few, founder Michael Trumper hopes to see more customer adoption in his hometown. We recently connected with Michael to learn more.
How did you come up with the idea for your startup?
While working in oil and gas, one of the most perplexing issues that we consistently came across was disparity in results (production, productivity, and reserves) for different producers in very similar environments. For example, we came across a situation where one producer’s cost of oil was $55/Barrel and another was at $75/barrel. Upon researching, we found that companies who managed their project risks and uncertainties better generally had better performance i.e. budgets and schedules met, accurate forecasts etc. We also found that the reason most organizations were not doing advanced project risk analysis and management was because the tools available were both expensive and difficult to use. So we decided to develop software that was simple and affordable.
What has been the biggest challenge so far?
While a number of companies such as TransCanada, Enbridge, Schlumberger and BP are using our software, most producers are yet to adopt a project focused risk management process. The paradox is that we are a Calgary based company started with the intent to help the local oil industry, but we find ourselves mostly involved in helping US aerospace, defense and pharmaceutical companies. We have more clients in or around Washington DC than in Calgary.
Are there any key individuals outside of your organization that have been of great help to your startup?
A number of individuals from NASA, Pentagon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and other companies that have helped us understand and adapt to market needs.
What’s new with your startup that we can share?
We’ve developed proprietary mathematical and statistical algorithms for risk analysis using ideas developed in the area psychology of judgment and decision-making. And our book on behavioural psychology and project risk management will be published this year.
What has contributed to your success to this point?
Do not underestimate the long-term opportunity. When we first started, most industries were not ready to consider the technology we developed. However, we persisted and it was only recently that our business took off.
What made you choose to go down the path of entrepreneurship?
Research shows that companies that adopt advanced risk management and analysis processes perform better. Therefore US Government now mandates that all projects that receive a certain level of government funding must submit results of risk analysis to qualify. We believed in the opportunity and decided to pursue it.
What are your thoughts on Calgary’s startup community?
We need to develop more technology that scales to industries other than oil and gas. Also, many startups in Calgary focus on building technology without understanding the market. For example, everyone wants to build mobile apps, but a better approach would be to investigate the issues facing an industry and build technology to solve them… it may or may not end up being a mobile app.
What’s your ask right now?
We need the oil and gas community in Calgary to understand the value of project risk management. Just think about it – good risk management has proven to be one of the most cost effective and simple ways to improve a company’s performance and bottom line. Washington DC understands and appreciates this. Why not Calgary?
Lloyed Lobo covers Calgary’s tech startup community. He is a Partner at Boast Capital and the VP of Community Evangelism at Startup Calgary.
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Lloyed Lobo covers Calgary’s tech startup community. He is a Partner at Boast Capital and the VP of Community Evangelism at Startup Calgary.
This interview was originally published by Startup Calgary, a non-profit organization focused on cultivating the tech startup community in Calgary. For more information, visit startupcalgary.ca.
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