Start training your workforce in record time

In this episode of the Tekpon SaaS Podcast, hosted by Cristian Dina, the guest Luis Garcia, president and co-founder of PETE, shares insights about his company’s transformative approach to workforce training through AI-powered solutions.

What does PETE do?

The conversation begins with an introduction to PETE, an AI-powered platform designed to automate the creation of workforce training courses. Garcia highlights the primary problem PETE addresses: the high cost and time-consuming process of developing training programs. He explains that while very small companies can manage training informally and very large organizations can afford dedicated resources, mid-sized companies often struggle to provide effective training due to limited resources.

Without PETE, companies would rely on internal experts to train employees, which often results in inefficiencies and distractions from their primary roles. Garcia emphasizes that PETE’s platform addresses these issues by speeding up the training creation process and effectively evaluating learning outcomes. The platform uses a simulation engine to offer interactive and scalable one-on-one learning experiences, moving beyond traditional testing methods that are often ineffective.

PETE operates on a SaaS model with an annual contract paid monthly, and provides extensive customer support, co-creating initial courses with clients and maintaining ongoing monthly checkups. This hands-on assistance differentiates PETE from companies that minimize customer interaction.

Garcia discusses the competitive landscape and PETE’s marketing strategies. They employ digital marketing, social media, Google ads, and specialized HR newsletters, transitioning from founder-led sales to scalable methods. Despite being a small team of 15, split between Orlando, Florida, and other locations worldwide, they have achieved significant milestones.

The incredible founding story of PETE

The origin story of PETE reflects Garcia and his co-founder’s diverse backgrounds. Garcia’s extensive experience in higher education and online university creation complements his co-founder’s background in managing rapid company growth in the fintech sector. Their combined experiences and local community ties facilitated the company’s initial growth and customer acquisition.

Garcia stresses the importance of networking, advising founders to be active in their local communities to build valuable connections. Early customers were primarily drawn from personal networks within Orlando, including prominent organizations like Orlando City Soccer and the Amway Center.

Fundraising has also been crucial, with PETE raising $2.2 million in their seed round. Garcia attributes part of their success to digital marketing, noting that it requires a significant investment in advertising and creative development but yields substantial returns.

Garcia confirms that PETE has achieved product-market fit with 17 paying customers, a significant increase in annual recurring revenue, and positive feedback from new clients. He envisions PETE becoming a central tool in the evolving skills economy, akin to how Salesforce dominates the CRM market.

The episode concludes with Garcia naming several software tools, including Slack, HubSpot, and generative AI applications, as vital to his daily operations, emphasizing the importance of continually exploring new tools.