Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Brandon Kashani, founder and CEO of TRAKID. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and having lived in Tehran, Dubai, London, and North Carolina, I knew I’d one day start my own business. At 16, I began studying Chemical Engineering at NC State University, where I launched TRAKID through the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program. My journey took an unexpected turn when COVID-19 shut down amusement parks across the country.
Faced with uncertainty, I chose to pivot and explore new markets, focusing on zoos, which led to a key discovery: there was a major disconnect between zoos and visitors regarding conservation awareness. Today, TRAKID has raised over $4 million, expanding into new verticals as we continue to innovate and make an impact. When I’m not building TRAKID, I’m an extreme sports athlete with over 3,300 skydives under my belt. I’ve also won 4 national championships as a member of the U.S. skydiving team.
What did it take/how did you get started?
I got my start with TRAKID during a senior design course at NC State University’s Engineering Entrepreneurs Program. My motivation stemmed from a staggering statistic: 100-150 children get lost in U.S. parks every day. I saw this as both a challenge and an opportunity to create a tech-driven solution that would make parks safer and more engaging for families.
When COVID-19 shut down amusement parks in 2020, I had to pivot. Instead of waiting for parks to reopen, I turned to zoos, realizing that while they focus on educating visitors about conservation, their engagement tools were outdated. People weren't interacting with static signs or exhibits as intended. This led me to bring gamification into these settings, offering interactive experiences that would make learning fun for kids while delivering essential messages to adults. Initially, we tackled the signage problem with a mobile app and wearable smart compass.
However, we over time learned that many people dislike downloading apps these days, creating a significant opportunity in the software space. By embracing the power of QR codes, we transitioned into the B2B SaaS world, enhancing visitor engagement and education.
What does the future look like for you and your business?
The future for TRAKID is incredibly exciting. As we continue to scale, our focus will be on expanding partnerships beyond zoos, museums, and parks to enhance visitor engagement through innovative technology. We aim to create a new way for people to connect with their surroundings and the offerings of various venues, acting as a bridge between the physical and digital worlds.
By making education more accessible and enjoyable, we hope to foster deeper connections between visitors and the environments they explore. We're also strategically planning for an exit within the next 3 to 4 years, seeking partnerships that can lead to future acquisitions and amplify our mission.
What drives / motivates you on a daily basis?
I'm driven by the potential of technology to transform education, making it engaging and accessible for everyone. I thrive on the challenge of overcoming obstacles and seeing the tangible results of my efforts. Our amazing team keeps us going through the hard times and the roller coaster of emotions that come with startup life. Ultimately, it’s about fostering community, sparking curiosity, and encouraging individuals to explore the world around them in new ways.
What advice would you give someone interested in doing what you do?
If you’re interested in building a startup, my advice is to embrace the journey. Start small—validate your ideas through real-world feedback and iterate. Surround yourself with a supportive network and don’t hesitate to lean on mentors. Persistence is key; you’ll face challenges and setbacks, but each obstacle is an opportunity to learn and grow. Finally, stay true to your vision while remaining flexible enough to adapt. It's all about finding the right balance between passion and practicality.
What has been the hardest part of your business journey?
The hardest part of starting TRAKID has been navigating the uncertainty and unpredictability that come with being a startup. Each day presents new challenges, from securing funding to refining our technology and figuring out market fit. Building our team into what it is today has also been a significant challenge. In the early days, with limited funding, it was crucial to find the best people willing to take substantial risks for minimal equity.
As we scaled, the type of talent we needed evolved. The skills required for acquiring customer zero differ from those for reaching customer one to ten, and then again for growing from ten to one hundred. Moreover, things always cost more than anticipated, and fundraising is a full-time job in itself, demanding relentless effort and strategic networking to attract investors while balancing day-to-day operations.
How have you managed burnout thus far?
Managing burnout as a founder has been an ongoing journey. One key strategy has been surrounding myself with an incredible team that I can rely on for support, especially during tough times. Our customers—fun venues that prioritize engagement—help remind me of the joy in our work, and building relationships with them is both rewarding and motivating.
While it’s easy to lose sight of progress when you’re in the thick of it, taking a step back to compare our current achievements with where we were a year ago provides perspective and encouragement. I also focus on nurturing the local ecosystem by connecting good humans and meeting new people every week. Balancing work with personal passions and ensuring I stay engaged with my community helps me recharge and maintain enthusiasm for our mission.
What are a few resources that you'd recommend?
I highly recommend building a network of founders you trust, spanning various stages of their journeys. It's beneficial to connect with younger founders, those at a similar stage, and experienced founders who have already exited or faced similar challenges.
Podcasts are also a fantastic resource for hearing real-life success and failure stories. "How I Built This" is one of my favorites. Additionally, attending local startup events, like Raleigh-Durham Startup Week (here in the Triangle), offers valuable insights and networking opportunities. These resources have been instrumental in my journey!
The STATS
List the founders
Me and Steve Yauch (Long time entrepreneur in the Triangle and my CTO)
How many hours a week do you work on this hustle?
80-85
# of Employees?
14
When did you start?
I started January of 2019
How much did it cost to launch?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, but launching TRAKID required about $50,000 before we raised our first round of funding. It took us 11 months to secure that funding, during which we built initial prototypes, traveled to meet potential customers, and covered costs for our website domain, databases, and other essentials. Every step was crucial for laying the foundation of our business!
What were your funding methods and ballpark amount raised?
Not provided.
Annual revenue?
Not provided.
Projected revenue?
Not provided.
What's the #1 thing you need right now?
Warm intros to potential customers.