Lithuanian Startup Curtains Calculator Attracted an Investment of 50,000 EUR
2021
Dec 15
Dec 15
Startup Curtains Calculator, that created a tool for companies to automate the calculation of window coverings, and the 70V revenue accelerator have signed a contract for 50,000 EUR pre-seed investment for startup development and the opportunity to develop the idea in this sales accelerator.
“We have been discussing the opportunity to invest with 70V since the first weeks of participation in the “TechHub” pre-accelerator at the Agency for Science, Innovation, and Technology (MITA), and at the end of the program mentor Gytenis Galkis gave us an offer to join the accelerator. It took so long since then because we wanted to test the product with the resources we had already received from the first customers. However, we soon realized that we are in need of help in the field of sales because no matter how good a solution is, customers will not find it themselves,” says Darius Baltunis, the founder of Curtains Calculator.
Curtains Calculator is an application for curtains and blinds salons to effectively manage customer orders – from meeting the customer to choose fabrics, going to measure windows, to preparing sewing information. The purpose of the application is to simplify, speed up and make cheaper the process of preparing window coverings from receiving of the order to its implementation.
According to the founder of the startup, salons that sew curtains according to customer orders still have to overcome a long and complicated sales process: select fabrics from samples, catalogs, or fabric palettes in the salon, advise on the style of window coverings, write down customer data, calculate the required materials for each individual, send and then e-mail the prepared offer to the customer. It is said that the whole process is still carried out mechanically and causes a lot of inconveniences.
“We have noticed that it is difficult for customers, especially those who have their first home, to understand the prices of the final products – they often do not plan or mention their budget. As a result, the offer a customer receives often exceeds the amount imagined by the customer. This is the most common reason why customers do not come back,” says D. Baltunis.
Another reason is errors. Employees make mistakes that can cost a lot to the business when preparing an offer by hand, a simple calculator, or a regular computer calculation program. “After conducting market research, we have noticed that it is practically impossible for young designers or students to get a job in salons, because it takes up to six months to train and prepare a consultant to work with individual orders. It is a real headache for employers as well,” says the founder of the startup.
Curtains Calculator allows you to manage orders in a single application, easily adding new employees who can prepare their first order on their own after just a few minutes of using the application. The application allows you to create, manage, copy and edit orders, generate several different offers to the customer at the click of a button, prepare detailed information for the sewing machine, and place all the fabrics that need to be ordered from suppliers or cut from stock in one sheet.
Currently, the startup is focused on the task of forming a sales team, documenting sales processes, and further communicating with customers and partners. “We are looking for the best solution to create the greatest benefits for suppliers, manufacturers, and vendors on a single platform, and to focus time and money on growing business. The end-user should understand that an efficient business is not only innovative but also saves you money and time,” says D. Baltunis.
Startup Curtains Calculator developed its idea and met mentors and investors in the second cohort of the “TechHub” pre-accelerator. “The pre-accelerator is very focused and leads to a clear startup goal, provides all possible tools and the most competent assistance during the whole program,” says D. Baltunis. According to him, the sessions with mentors and lecturers helped in the process of developing the idea and provided an opportunity to establish useful contacts, which are vital for the early-stage startup.