About

Proto is an IoT device company at the forefront of holographic technology. Proto offers two product lines which I was instrumental in launching: our 86 inch life-size hologram device, and our 22 inch tabletop display. With a relentless commitment to innovation, Proto has revolutionized the holographic industry, offering cutting-edge solutions that redefine the way people interact with digital content.

Challenge

Our primary challenge at Proto Hologram was to craft an integrated hardware and software ecosystem that seamlessly empowered customers to manage, schedule, and live stream holograms. Our secondary goal was to simplify the content creation process, allowing users to more easily create their own holograms.

Prior to my tenure, Proto relied on Brightsign displays, which presented significant hurdles due to their complex and cumbersome user interface.

Customers were unable to easily program their devices with content, and the device was purely used as a display, rather than a unified hardware/software solution. Additionally, users needed $27,000 of production equipment and training to create their own holographic content.

Solution

Within two months, we conceptualized, scoped, and brought to life an intuitive self-service CMS and Hologram device OS. I oversaw the entire process from whiteboarding and wireframing to specifications and implementation. This breakthrough solution empowered users to effortlessly upload, manage, and stream hologram content on demand.

Complementing our robust CMS, we developed ProtoOS; our proprietary hologram operating system, leveraging Ubuntu Core 22 and Flutter technologies. As a pioneering advancement in holographic spatial computing, ProtoOS empowered us to tailor the user experience precisely to our vision. ProtoOS also fortified our market position by establishing a formidable barrier to entry, granting us a technological edge that set us apart from competitors and safeguarded against easy replication of our innovations.

Since our launch in 2021, our core products ProtoOS and Proto Cloud helped scale our revenue from $1M to over $18M, achieving a 162% CAGR, that continues to grow in 2024.

In addition to the CMS and ProtoOS, we also launched our Proto Studio App for iOS, which allowed users to stream and capture content with only an iPhone and mobile tripod.

This cut our customer's cost from $27,000 to about $1200- about 4% of the original production cost- enabling our customers a much lower barrier to creating their own hologram content.

Results

Since our launch in early 2021, Proto Hologram has experienced exponential growth, scaling to thousands of users and generating millions in recurring software revenue and hardware sales.

In addition to the MVP above, I oversaw the development of all our groundbreaking initiatives such as AI Avatars, 3D objects, augmented reality try-ons, and 4K video streaming. In 2024, our software revenue accounted for nearly 40% of our total revenue, a testament to the robustness of the platform we meticulously crafted. I was also able to increase user satisfaction with our core products by over 16% through regular user research, interviews, customer surveys, and product and usability enhancements.

Moreover, under my leadership, Proto Hologram witnessed impressive revenue growth, skyrocketing from $1 million since our launch in 2021 to an impressive $18M+ in 2024.

In addition to driving internal innovation, I spearheaded strategic partnerships with Snap Inc and Amazon, propelling Proto Hologram to new heights of success. Collaborating closely with Snap Inc, we seamlessly integrated Snap Lenses into our app, revolutionizing augmented reality try-ons and background removal. This strategic move not only saved the company hundreds of thousands of development dollars but also significantly boosted engagement for our live events, establishing a valuable brand partnership.

Furthermore, our partnership with Amazon Web Services' Innovation lab opened doors to groundbreaking opportunities. Leveraging their cutting-edge AI technology, we introduced AI Avatar shopping assistants powered by Amazon, enhancing the shopping experience for our users and solidifying Proto Hologram's position as an industry leader in holographic technology.

In 2021 we developed and launched our live streaming application for iOS devices as part of a demo at CES. Since our debut, I played a crucial role in significantly reducing latency by nearly 80%, enhancing conversational interactions. Finally, by implementing new streaming providers, I was able to slash costs by 90%, ensuring a more accessible and enjoyable user experience.

Conclusion

At Proto Hologram, we are not just shaping the future of holographic technology; we are redefining human interaction with digital content.

Join us in transforming possibilities into realities and unlocking the full potential of holographic experiences. Let's collaborate to bring your vision to life and usher in a new era of innovation together.