It started with a photo depicting the turmoil of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and a subsequent question: what if the people of each side could talk this out? Could a peaceful solution be found if these two groups could have a conversation, each acting as a single unit?
And what if this could be applied elsewhere– a university president having a conversation with the student body, or a Fortune 500 CEO having a conversation with all of his or her employees?
These questions fueled Andrew Konya and Aaron Slodov to create reMesh, the first real-time large group “crowdversation” platform. reMesh offers a groundbreaking opportunity to effectively harness collective human intelligence. Through reMesh, critical conversations can take place, between individuals and groups (called “meshes”) and even between two groups, or two meshes. Andrew and Aaron aim to use their platform to revolutionize human communication.
What attracted you to the Flashstarts accelerator?
We were told by people we trust that it would be the best incubator for reMesh in the NEO area. We joined Flashstarts under the assumption that it would increase the probability of reMesh succeeding.
Tell us about your company.
We are building the world’s first collectively intelligent beings. Our initial focus is enabling modes of communication and perception for collective beings, beginning with speech and vision.
What has been the biggest challenge?
Explaining what we are doing.
Tell us about working and living in Cleveland.
Cleveland is a city with a promising trajectory and it is exciting to work here during a time when it is growing, evolving, and moving towards a brighter future. However, the conservative nature of NEO entrepreneurship ecosystem has been a constant frustration.
How do you like working with interns?
Working with the interns has been great. They are highly talented and have made serious and meaningful contributions to what we are working on.
What is some advice for future interns?
Work on something which excites you.
What surprised you about your experience at Flashstarts?
There were no surprises, as we entered with no expectations.
What are some things you’ve learned this summer, so far?
- The difference between a delusion of the future and a vision is execution.
- You have to earn someone’s respect before you can productively disagree with them.
- Future and past are but illusions of the mind, for the universe exists in a perpetual present.
Interested in learning more about reMesh? Check them out online and follow them on Twitter at @teamremesh to engage in conversations and stay updated on their progress.
