Pioneering Perspectives

Cracking the Code with Felix Martinez

• Pioneers21 • Season 3 • Episode 5

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Welcome back to the Pioneering Perspectives Podcast! In this episode, "Cracking the Code," we're joined by the founder of AI Krixus, winner of both the Service Track and Overall Winner of the 4th Annual P21 VMS Pitch Challenge. He shares how mentorship, feedback, and continuous refinement helped transform his venture from an early-stage idea into an award-winning startup. From strengthening his pitch to building confidence as a founder, he reflects on the lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. 

Whether you're developing your first idea or preparing for your next opportunity, this conversation offers practical insights on perseverance, communication, and what it really takes to stand out as an entrepreneur. 

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://youtu.be/xqz7S7CxSPw 

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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

SPEAKER_01

Hi y'all. Welcome back to another episode of the Pioneering Perspectives Podcast. My name is Michelle Kristen Tubbs. I'm the strategic operations specialist at Pioneers 21, and I'll be your host for today's episode. Today, we're joined by the winner of the service track as well as the overall winner of the P21 BMS Pitch Challenge, Felix Martinez, founder of AI Brick Six. Over the five weeks, he went through prep sessions that were all about intellectual property, copyright, target market, padded, TAM, Sam, and Tom. He worked with P21 BMS mentors to refine his pitch. And then finally, leading up to his big delivery for pitch day. Today we're talking about what happened behind the scenes and what it really takes to win. Hello, Felix. How are you?

SPEAKER_00

Thank you, Michelle. I I really appreciate the opportunity and thank you, Pioneer 21, as well, for this great opportunity and uh the support that I receive it uh through through the journal.

SPEAKER_01

Well, it's great to have you here. And I kind of wanted to talk a little bit about what your company is. So I want to give the audience some information on a like a company description. So I understand that you help professionals and small business with their tasks through AI integration, automation, uh, and et cetera. Can you talk a little bit about that?

SPEAKER_00

Yes, and basically, you know, it's uh uh there are so many different tools to use, and people don't some people might not know how to use them or uh how can they benefit uh from that. And that's why we come to you know help them uh do integration and understand their business, the process, and see how we can help them minimize and and you know reduce friction, basically. Uh we also held again creating a digital present, uh, and that's something that uh we have noticed there's a lot of need. So we want to help with that. And there's a lot of busy professionals in different areas that um they don't have time to uh you know to see how they can enhance their presence, their image, uh, and their business. So that we also want to help with with that, yes.

SPEAKER_01

So as I understand it, AI Crixis is kind of the umbrella company, and you create many different apps for different parts of the business uh to help entrepreneurs and small businesses. So when you pitched at the P21 VMS Pitch Challenge, you pitched AI Crixis creating a specific app, right? So tell me a little bit about that.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, definitely. Um, you know, there's a lot of ideas that uh we transform into applications to help solve some different problems. Uh the ones uh either because a customer expressed uh a situation in where they they were having difficult or they don't have clarity about how to address that problem. And that's how we've been creating you know different applications to solve different problems with different industries. And one of them it was CPilot AI. Uh, and basically it um that's to support Git drivers like Uber drivers or any other platform or independence that they wanted um they you know they needed a tool that uh it can do a lot of things for them, but the main important pieces like keeping track of their income, expenses, mileage, uh do the IRS calculation for them, um and you know basically minimize uh the effort that they need to do in every day uh simply by having the AI integrated into the application, and it's easy for them to simply snap a picture or take a picture and upload it later uh for any of those uh uh necessities, and they will be saving some time. Um so that's one of the most uh uh important parts, you know, uh the time, saving you time and enhancing the profit for them because they will have control, they will, they will really understand what uh what's at the end of the day what they really uh what the profit is. And and and that's why we you know we want to help all these people in different areas, different platforms, so that uh so uh it will be um really beneficial in general, yes.

SPEAKER_01

So to me, it sounds like you're trying to solve a very unique problem for these Uber drivers and for all these other drivers. And this is way more than just asking like ChatGPT or Gemini, hey, can you do this for me? I need you to do these IRS calculations, I need you to look at all these receipts for gas mileage, et cetera. It's way more than that because your application is at a click of a button for these people, and that's solving a huge challenge for them. And I kind of want to talk about what it takes to build something like this. So tell me a little bit about your background and where you came up with this idea.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, definitely. Uh thank you, Michelle. Um, you know, my background is in cybersecurity and uh threat intel, antivirus, wet filtering solution. And through the year, I have always had curiosity to learn. And when we start facing AI and you know different uh topics about that, uh again was more curiosity to understand, to to learn about it. And uh I joined uh the bootcamp with uh Text Frontier, and it was guided by uh Miguel Amaya, who helped us out and teach us a lot of things. And uh and that that kind of uh was a C for me to continue the learning and looking at problems in a way that it can be solved and help people. And one of those was basically the CPI or AI. Um I have a you know close understanding about how they've been operated, how they've been having difficult uh to keep up with the tracking all all the pieces they need. And at the end, how how create how understand uh everything once it's put it together, like having like a dashboard or the create a report that they can read and understand, or something that can be used for IRS purpose. So that's that's how it's come out with that, and and other ones being like, you know, talking with customers when uh they they present a problem. Uh to give an example, um there was a person that worked in landscaping, and he asked me, Philips, you know, customer asked me, they want to see uh before and after of my work. And I don't know, I'm not a good uh artist to do drawings. What can I do? How can you help me with something? And I said, you know what, I'm not sure if it's something created, but we can try if not. Uh I'll let you know. Give me a few days. And and then uh I create I create for for this uh customer an application that they can use to take a picture, or let's say they have a a project to do, and they want to put a tree over here, they want to put a wall over there, and and they can move elements and integrate it, and they can look basically what it will be the before and after. And you know, of course, not a hundred percent uh the way it will look, but it will get the customer an idea, an idea. So it really helps out. So, you know, problems like that, they they get presented, they get asked, they get sharable with me, and and then I try to help and bring and bring a solution. And that's how uh basically uh we created CPI.

SPEAKER_01

Very interesting. So before you started Pitch Challenge, before you started the prep sessions uh with us, where was your company at? Were you at barely the ideation stage? Did you already have a prototype? Were you already at early customers? And what was your biggest challenge throughout that time before you applied?

SPEAKER_00

Yes, well, I would say, you know, having the curiosity to learn and after uh experiencing time with uh uh Tech Frontier and learning and a lot of independent learning as well, right? Um that give me that give me the curiosity, the initiative to create something. And I say I can I I have these skills, I have this knowledge, and I will feel I would feel bad to just keep it myself to myself. And and I say, I can I can help some people, I can help some small business. And uh, you know, they they spend the whole day working, whether they're electrician, plumbers, um, a dealership or a body shop, and they don't have time at the end of the day to to maybe do uh publicity or create material for uh for the business or try to improve a process internally, and and that's what we want to help, you know, start with a small business, that they they do really struggle with that and you know, understanding and listen to them what the problem is and how we can help.

SPEAKER_01

So once you applied to the pitch challenge and you went through the prep sessions, we had some sessions where we brought in some mentors. We had 37 different mentors from our MIT licensed venture mentoring service at Pioneers21. And throughout these prep sessions, the mentors listened to your pitch and then they gave you live feedback on the spot, and then you got to pitch again and again and again. And you did this for three different Saturdays for two hours every Saturday. What do you what would you say is the most valuable feedback that you received from these mentors where you were like, that's it, that's what I need to change, this is what I need to do, this is what I need to move forward with.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, well, I would say it was not a single um observation. It I think it was the whole process, uh putting attention to every single feedback that you receive from every person, uh, and every mentor, um, even between peers. And uh, and and that's that's something that I it did help me a lot. Uh yes, you know, it's it's it's a dedication, and we have to respect also their time and and and then uh understand, listen to what they giving you, the feedback, and I guess basically, if if they will say it will sound better this way, or you need to take this approach, basically just listen to them and follow the instruction and improve it uh for good, for better. And and that's what helped me out. I mean, it's not really easy saying that doing it, but uh it's it's something that needs to be done, and you need to apply yourself to that and have fun. Basically, yes, because uh it's it's so nice being interacting with so many talented people, uh very extreme smart people in different industries, and you had the chance and opportunity to talk with them, to listen to them, uh, and you know, get their feedback. And I think I think that's what it makes the big difference. And I'm grateful for that. Yes.

SPEAKER_01

That's wonderful, Felix. So you had five minutes to pitch, and after those five minutes, you had a three-minute Q ⁇ A from the judges. I kind of want to talk about the first time that you pitched in front of the mentors on that first prep session to the final pitch date when you presented the final delivery. What would you say, if we were to look back at that right now, what would you say was the biggest change in those two different versions?

SPEAKER_00

Yes. Well, you know, let me let me share something with you. The very first day, uh, I was feeling a bit sick. I was I was I mean not feeling well. And were you nervous? Uh or you were like sick? I was I was I was sick, I was feeling sick. And you still shouldn't. I was yeah, I came from traveling. I ate I ate something that it didn't it didn't uh de well on me, and it was alone traveling and then uh overnight. So I came on Saturday and I was I was feeling really bad. And uh and then you know we get score, and my score went really, really low, super low. And and I said, Well, it's it's my first pitch, I'm not feeling well, but I I did believe in the feedback, I did believe in that I was definitely not feeling well, and I needed to make a comeback. And you know, I the next time I feel much better, I prepare better, and and and that started making the difference every time I was coming back, the preparation, the adjustment, and and just continue listening to their feedback. Um, on the day of the pitch, um, I was sitting and listening, um, everybody and putting attention and amazed me and within the two different groups, the students and and the business owners, and the products and the technology, uh, you know, from the way they walk, how they stand, their voices, the way they connect. I was looking every single piece, and uh, you know, I was very impressed to see uh from the student group, uh very young fellas that uh they conduct themselves like if they would have already 20 years in business and very professional and intelligent. And uh I really feel very happy for them to see to see it. And um, and you know, some guy impressed me about their FM voice, like radio special, you know, yeah, one, two, three, and all that. It would be amazing. So, yeah, you know, I put attention to all those details, and and I and I say, you know, this is this is this is learning here and from everyone, you know, and without losing your identity, without losing your who you are and why what what you're presenting and sharing. Uh, but I I I really put attention on that and and that helped me out. I uh, you know, we all have some unique things and the way we are, our personality, and I guess, I guess um, a lot of pieces play really well for me. So I I was I was uh very grateful and thankful.

SPEAKER_01

And talk about a comeback because that first day you said you got low scores, and then pitch day you walk around, you walk out with ten thousand dollars from 5k, 5k from the service track, and then another 5k from the overall. So talk about a comeback, that was great.

SPEAKER_00

Oh yes, that's that was amazing. You know, I um I was I was I was very excited, very happy. Uh my wife came uh with me and support me, and I was very happy that she was there too. And and um and I I feel fantastic, I feel great. Uh but you know, just looking around, it was a hard competition, looking at all all the different uh presenters and uh and the ideas and technology. And and then I I recall thinking uh about um there is a picture of two runners. And one of them for a second turned to the left and tried to look what what the other runner was doing, and only took two seconds for him to turn and get distracted, and the other guy won the competition. Uh so I I thought about that, I say, even though everybody is great, everybody's doing fantastic, I just need to focus on what I'm doing and what I need to explain and deliver and focus on that. And and you know, but I but I guess I do remember thinking about that because I was I was impressed. I was happy to be around and be part of it, and I was impressed to see all the talented, smart people that I was competing with. So, congratulations to all of them.

SPEAKER_01

And I think it's like something incredible to be able to look around and see all of the innovation that's being created right here in El Paso. Oh, yes, right here in our home. And all of these companies were built out of El Paso, and all of these ideas came from El Pasuans. So I think that's wonderful. But yes, you're right, it's also super important to while it's great to look around and see all the talent that's being developed, it's also important to take a step back and okay, focus on what you got to do. And I kind of want to take it to what you said earlier about not losing your identity. Because I think that's something so important for people to understand is that if you're going to present in a professional setting, it's also important to not lose who you are because a lot of people kind of want to mold you into like this box that you have to be like this and you have to be like that and nothing else. And so it's super important that you keep your identity even if you're being professional, and you you can be who you are in a professional setting. And I think you really demonstrated that, and many of the other participants did too. And you could really see who people were even if they were being professional.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, definitely. And then and that was uh that was something that uh uh I was very happy to see, especially happening. It's it's like this level, uh it's not just happening now in the Silicon Valley, how we historically you know have learned it, right? Uh big company growing and being built in this location. Now we we see it here, and and that's fantastic. And but nothing of that can be done without the support, uh, especially what you guys are doing uh here at Pioneer 21. It's something unique and it's something that is making the big difference in the community and in the region. So and I'm very happy that uh you know, I step in and I was welcome and I've been guided uh through the whole process. And uh now that I wish um, you know, next year for uh whether it will be bigger, even if I can participate again, I'd be happy to do it and uh and see it, see, see it growing and you know, continue being part. That's that's what I would like to see. It is.

SPEAKER_01

Well, you were judged in front of nine different judges, and uh every single judge had a different background, different walks of life, different industry experience. So what how did you make your delivery resonate with the judges? Did you like look at the judges beforehand and see, okay, these are the industries, this is what my information has to appeal to? Well, how did you deal with that process?

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I actually I didn't I didn't um uh look or think about that. Um I knew there would be the people from different background and and you know with different uh knowledge levels. Um and it to me basically it was about focusing on explaining and delivering and and just you know be clear and and honest about what I was I was presenting and sharing with them and let them decide what what will be the score, what will be the the qualification, uh, because I that's something I cannot control. So yes, what I can control is you know the information that I was sharing with them and the goal and why I was doing it and who was the people I wanted to help. So that that was my focus. Yes.

SPEAKER_01

So looking back at AI Crixis and how you did in the competition, I want to talk about how you were the overall winner, right? So we had 20 different ventures from the tech track, the service track, the product track, and the student track. So we had 20 plus ventures that were part of it, and you were the overall winner out of everyone, you took away the overall prize. What do you think was part of the deliberation as to why you were the one who took that home?

SPEAKER_00

Uh to be honest, I'm not I'm not sure. I'm not sure because the competition was it was hard. There were very uh again, you know, many talented people with great uh solutions to problems and products and name it. So that I uh you know, I I I'm not really sure uh Uh but I was very happy. And uh again, uh, you know, uh that that's that's something maybe a good question for the judges. Yes, but uh but I was very you know grateful for the outcome and and that told me that uh you know we're taking the the first baby steps and and the result was this. So it's a motivation to continue, basically.

unknown

Yes.

SPEAKER_01

I think the judges really saw the potential in not only like just your pitch, but the business as it is, right? Because your market is a huge market that you've been able to tap into that is a problem that no one else has solved. So you're the first going into this market that's a big market, and a problem that maybe others didn't realize, and maybe the drivers themselves didn't even think were problems really, and just something that they had to deal with, right? So I think the judges really saw the potential in your business model. And I think they saw a lot of potential also in the founder yourself who is backing up this business model because it's one thing to have a great business plan, but it's also another thing to be the founder who's leading this business and leading the structure. And I think combined with your experience as uh a cybersecurity expert, if you will, and also the business plan, like I think they the judges saw a lot of potential in what you could really tap into going into um C Pilot, right?

SPEAKER_00

C Pilot AI. Yes, and uh yeah, you know, it's uh something uh that I look into it. Was in particular the the 30% here in the US, 30% of just one platform are Spanish speaker. And you know, there is a uh a few small companies that are doing something similar, but they're not giving the support to our Spanish community here in the US. And um they also don't have other important tools that we integrate to help them. So that's that's that's what it makes the the difference, basically. And uh and you know, do what we are basically. We could we spend a lot of time um going back and forth, adjusting, um, you know, not only in the presentation, but behind that, uh I guess in um the way the application will work, it will, you know, it will be useful, easy to use. So yeah, we don't get to all those details. So the and you know, uh here we are, and uh um now happy to be here with you.

SPEAKER_01

Now that we're a week and a half from the pitch challenge, post-pitch challenge. What is your plan going into the future now with that 10K that you've been able to secure as non-dilutive capital for your business? Well, what is the next step for AI Cricklis?

SPEAKER_00

Yes, well, uh, you know, with with CPILO AI, basically, we we will do the integration for users to be able to download it from market, whether for iPhone or Android. Um, and then of course, you know, invest on some part of that in marketing and to let it to let uh users you know know that there's something there's a tool that they can use and it's gonna help them. And and that's that's the goal. And um, but but yes, you know, take take um take baby steps little by little and uh and then continue getting feedback from Pioneers 21, um, be part of the program and um get some guide, you know, guidance and and feedback. Um, there is a lot uh that that is being offered here, and uh so I'm very happy for that. Yes, thank you.

SPEAKER_01

Well, we're excited to see your next path and how you continue along with AI Crixes, Anna C Pilot, and the many other apps that you're developing. So I'm excited. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00

Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_01

Yes, well, thank you so much for being on this podcast. That's all I have for you, and that's all I have for the audience. Thank you. So thank you so much for sitting here with me for an hour to chit chat a little bit about how your journey was and what it really takes to win.

SPEAKER_00

Thank you. Thank you.