How Clono Secured €500K Pre-Seed for AI Sales Platform
Who is Lorenzo Tiberi?
Crono was co-founded by Marco Maddiona, Lorenzo Tiberi, and Alex Roggero. Marco Maddiona is a full-stack developer who transitioned from being an employee to a freelancer before co-founding Crono, having a background in Industrial IoT. Lorenzo Tiberi previously worked at Salesforce and other fast-growing startups in sales roles before becoming an entrepreneur. Alex Roggero, the CMO and co-founder, has a background in computer science and music and extensive experience in sales and communication, working in various startups and with the Italian Startup Association before establishing Crono.
Marco Maddiona, Lorenzo Tiberi, and Alex Roggero Cofounders Crono.One
What problem does Crono solve?
Crono solves the problem of inefficient B2B sales processes by providing a simple AI-powered tool that helps sales teams spend less time on non-revenue tasks and more on building strong pipelines, driving better results and saving time.
Crono Homepage
How did Lorenzo come up with the idea for Crono?
The idea for Crono emerged from the collective experience of the co-founders in the B2B sales environment. Their journey started when they noticed recurring inefficiencies and challenges faced by sales teams that were bogged down by too many tools and scattered data. This frustration was coupled with the recognition that many existing tools did not leverage data and AI effectively to provide actionable insights for sales prospects.
To validate their assumptions, the team engaged in preliminary market research, conducting interviews with industry experts to confirm the widespread dissatisfaction with current sales processes. Additionally, they participated in an incubation program, which allowed them to connect with like-minded individuals and mentors who helped refine their concept. The feedback they gathered during this period was crucial in shaping Crono's direction.
Driven by their ambition to address these gaps in the sales process, the team built an initial MVP to test their hypothesis with potential clients. Through this iterative process, they learned the importance of balancing innovation with the flexibility to match the diverse needs of users—a lesson from which they benefited greatly as they navigated the early challenges of product development.
How did Lorenzo Tiberi build the initial version of Crono?
The development of Crono began with the challenge of creating an all-in-one B2B sales platform powered by AI, focusing on automating tasks and providing actionable insights. The initial prototype, or Minimum Viable Product (MVP), was built using a flexible and scalable tech stack to allow integration with common CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot. Marco Maddiona and the team aimed to have the MVP ready by July 2022, and they worked intensely, often during evenings and weekends, which was a demanding process due to the simultaneous management of freelance projects. The initial version needed to be adaptable to serve diverse client needs, a shift from custom to generalized development, which posed a significant design challenge. Despite these obstacles, their dedication culminated in a functional MVP that was ready for client testing by September 2022.
What were the initial startup costs for Crono?
- Funding: Crono raised a €500,000 pre-seed investment.
What was the growth strategy for Crono and how did they scale?
SEO
Crono focused extensively on improving their search engine visibility to attract potential clients. They worked on optimizing their website with relevant keywords, such as "sales engagement platform" and "AI-powered B2B sales tools," which were crucial in driving organic traffic. They also created content tailored to answer specific sales-related queries, drawing in decision-makers who sought solutions to enhance their sales processes.
Crono Blog
Why it worked: SEO is effective because it targets users actively looking for specific solutions. By ranking well for strategic keywords, Crono was able to capture the attention of sales teams and decision-makers searching for innovative ways to streamline their outbound prospecting and enhance productivity through AI-powered tools.
Networking & Events
Crono’s co-founders, including Alex Roggero, capitalized on their established networks from past job experiences. They attended and participated in industry events and meetups across Europe to enhance brand visibility and establish personal connections with potential clients and partners.
Why it worked: Networking and participation in events allowed Crono to forge valuable relationships within the industry, increasing their brand recognition and credibility. By engaging directly with industry professionals and showcasing their product in person, they were able to generate interest and trust, crucial in the B2B space.
Outbound Sales
Utilizing their platform, Crono conducted outbound sales efforts to secure their first few clients. They identified companies fitting their target profile (typically with 25 to 500 employees conducting active B2B sales) and reached out through personalized and automated sequences using email and LinkedIn.
Why it worked: By eating their own dog food, Crono demonstrated the efficacy of their sales platform in real-world applications. This hands-on approach not only refined their product through user feedback but also showcased its value proposition directly to prospects, effectively transforming potential clients into paying customers.
Partnerships
Crono partnered with strategic investors and startup accelerators like SFC Capital, Atico Ventures, Digital Magics, and StartupWiseGuys, gaining financial support and entry into broader European markets. These partnerships also provided Crono with valuable mentorship and networking opportunities within the startup ecosystem.
Why it worked: Partnerships with reputable investors and accelerators allowed Crono to leverage their networks and industry insights. This not only aided in scaling their operations but also bolstered their reputation as a credible player in the competitive sales solutions market.
What's the pricing strategy for Crono?
Crono prices its platform at €80 per user per month, with a 14-day free trial and discounts available for startups to encourage growth.
Crono Pricing
What were the biggest lessons learned from building Crono?
- Validate Before Building: Crono's founders emphasized validating their idea by conducting market analysis and interviewing field experts, ensuring that the product would meet real needs.
- Balance Work and Personal Life: Balancing work and personal life was crucial; co-founders worked remotely part of the week, maintaining productivity while managing personal well-being.
- Adapt and Evolve: Initially, Crono's MVP was too rigid. This led them to pivot by offering more flexibility in their product, enhancing its appeal to users.
- Leverage Networking: Using personal networks and organizing events like meetups helped Crono reach potential customers and build a brand community, proving valuable for growth.
- Persistence Pays Off: Despite challenges, Crono persisted, ensuring a successful product launch and securing significant pre-seed funding by continuously testing and iterating their ideas.
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More about Crono:
Who is the owner of Crono?
Lorenzo Tiberi is the founder of Crono.
When did Lorenzo Tiberi start Crono?
2022
What is Lorenzo Tiberi's net worth?
Lorenzo Tiberi's business makes an average of $/month.
How much money has Lorenzo Tiberi made from Crono?
Lorenzo Tiberi started the business in 2022, and currently makes an average of .
