Ignite Startups: How TeamOut is Transforming Corporate Retreats with Thomas Mazimann | #106

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell sits down with Thomas Mazimann, co-founder and CEO of TeamOut, a YC company from the Winter 2022 batch. The conversation delves into Thomas’ fascinating journey from being a professional whitewater kayaker to transitioning into entrepreneurship. Thomas shares how his rebellious nature as a child drove him to choose kayaking over more conventional sports like soccer, ultimately leading him to become a three-time French champion and world championship competitor. This passion for the unconventional followed him into his business career, where he embraced new challenges and opportunities, starting with his college job at Red Bull, which first introduced him to the exciting side of business. Thomas also talks about the formation of TeamOut, which stemmed from his belief that remote work would be the future. He and his co-founder Vincent, also a former professional athlete, recognized that as remote work became more prevalent, the need for companies to come together through off-sites and retreats would grow. Drawing on his experience organizing events, both as an athlete and during his time at Red Bull, Thomas built TeamOut to facilitate corporate retreats, offering a seamless platform for finding venues and organizing memorable events. The conversation touches on the early success of TeamOut, which reached $1 million in revenue within six months, and the subsequent challenges they faced when the market shifted. Thomas explains how the company pivoted its business model, shifting from charging clients directly to charging venue vendors, allowing TeamOut to regain momentum. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of building strong relationships through shared experiences, both in personal and professional contexts, and how TeamOut aims to foster such connections through off-site retreats.

Chapters:

Introduction to Thomas Mazimann & TeamOut (00:01 – 00:32)
Thomas' Background: From France to Professional Kayaking (00:33 – 03:07)
Transition from Kayaking to Business: Red Bull and College Life (03:08 – 11:37)
First Job in Silicon Valley and the Voxit Story (11:38 – 17:54)
Founding TeamOut: The Birth of a Remote Work Solution (17:55 – 22:33)
YC Journey and Scaling to $1M in Six Months (22:34 – 29:28)
Facing Market Challenges and Pivoting the Business (29:29 – 33:22)
The Future of Remote Work and Corporate Off-Sites (33:23 – 41:49)
The Power of Shared Experiences in Team Building (41:50 – 44:34)
Rapid-Fire Questions: Kayaking, YC Lessons, and Growth Strategies (44:35 – 51:34)