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Disrupting the Eye Exam Industry & Raising Money in a Down Market - Aaron Dallek / Co-Founder of Opternative

AaronDallek.Opternative.TechInChicago.Podcast

Aaron Dallek is a serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Opternative - the world’s first online eye exam. The exam can be taken from anywhere, at anytime, and a doctor issued prescription can be used to shop everywhere. The exam only takes 25 minutes and a digital prescription is delivered in 24 hours or less. 

In this episode we cover:

  • How to raise money in the current down market - In February 2016, Opternative closed their Series A ($6 million) from Jump CapitalChicago VenturesPritzker GroupTribeca Venture PartnersCorazon Capital, and NextGen Partners.
  • How they built an online eye exam that rivals the traditional phoropter
  • How to recruit the best talent against larger companies with deeper pockets
  • Why you have to take things one step at a time as an entrepreneur

Aaron’s Favorite Book: The Art of the Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki

Sponsored By:

  • Bevy: a Chicago startup delivering everything you need, but don’t want to own, for amazing experiences. Own Less. Live More. 

Making The Jump From Investment Banking to Startups - Ryan Coon / Founder of Rentalutions