10 Questions for Every Startup Founder with ScaleVoice Co-founder & CEO, Ondrej Kuchta

As the founder of ScaleVoice, I'm leveraging my background in AI and automotive e-commerce to revolutionize sales operations. Our company provides autonomous AI voice sales agents that act as "superhero sidekicks" for automotive sales teams, handling outbound calls, SMS, and chat conversations with human-like proficiency. With a track record of facilitating more than $7 million in monthly car purchases for our clients and processing over one million calls per month, ScaleVoice is at the forefront of AI-powered sales solutions, delivering tangible results and redefining customer engagement in the automotive industry.

1. What is your company in 2–5 words?

Ondrej Kuchta: Autonomous AI voice sales agent

2. Why is now the time for your company to exist?

OK: VC firm Andreessen Horowitz recently stated, "We believe AI will fundamentally reimagine core systems and sales workflows, leaving no incumbent safe." This paradigm shift presents opportunities for companies like ScaleVoice that specialize in complex, long-term customer journeys.

ScaleVoice combines cutting-edge AI expertise with deep automotive sales knowledge. Unlike traditional chatbots that follow strict scripts, our AI agents make decisions based on the conversation context.

We focus on delivering tangible results rather than just selling software. Our approach manages end-to-end workflows, from initial customer contact through appointment scheduling and follow-ups. This comprehensive solution sets us apart in the market, where many competitors offer more limited functionality.

3. What do you love about your team, and why are you the ones to solve this problem?

OK: I believe we are at the forefront of combining cutting-edge AI expertise with deep industry knowledge. We're not just tech experts - we're domain specialists who understand the unique challenges facing businesses in the automotive space.

Our team's blend of skills and experience is what makes us uniquely qualified. We've got seasoned AI researchers and engineers working alongside former automotive executives and sales professionals. This cross-pollination allows us to develop solutions that are technologically sophisticated and grounded in real-world practicality.

Equally important, we're passionate problem-solvers driven by results. This outcome-focused mindset permeates everything we do.

4. If you weren’t building your startup, what would you be doing?

OK: I'd likely explore other AI applications in business or work on another transformative tech startup. My background spans roles from kernel development to founding my own startups in fitness, retail and home security.

Prior to ScaleVoice, I served as the CTO at Driverama, a Germany-based e-commerce platform using data to facilitate used car transactions in Western Europe. Under my leadership, we experienced remarkable growth, expanding from four employees to 250 and increasing revenue from zero to $40 million in less than two years.

My success in helping auto dealerships acquire vehicles at Driverama revealed even more opportunities to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies that previously weren't sufficiently advanced or didn't exist. These experiences, combined with the emergence of powerful new AI tools, made the timing perfect for launching ScaleVoice.

So while I'm always open to new opportunities, I'm currently laser-focused on ScaleVoice's mission to redefine the future of sales through AI-powered operations. The potential is limitless, and I can't imagine doing anything else.

5. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics?

OK: We have a unique success-based pricing model, which means we only make money when our clients make a sale. Our key metrics include sales volume for our customers, agent success rate, lead response time, and overall call volume which currently exceeds one million per month.

At the end of the day, we're not selling software - we're delivering work.

6. In a few sentences, what do you offer to whom?

OK: ScaleVoice acts as a "superhero sidekick" for sales teams in automotive and related sectors.

Our autonomous AI agents handle outbound calls, SMS, and chat conversations as well as humans. They contact potential car sellers within seconds of their expressed interest, which helps convert more leads into qualified appointments. Most customers don't even realize they're interacting with an AI agent, which means more efficient, consistent conversations and happier customers overall.

7. What’s most exciting about your traction to date?

The most exciting aspect of our traction is the consistent, measurable performance of our AI agents in real-world applications. Our work with Aures, the largest Central European dealer of pre-owned cars, has been a particularly significant milestone for us.

We're currently facilitating more than $7 million in monthly car purchases for Aures. This impressive figure demonstrates the scalability and effectiveness of our product, even in uncertain market conditions.

These kinds of results truly showcase the impact of our technology. Our AI agents aren't just talking the talk - they're delivering tangible business results for our clients. It's exciting to see our solution making such a substantial difference in the automotive sales landscape.

8. Where do you think your growth will be next year?

Next year, we expect significant growth as we expand into the US market this fall, targeting states with high concentrations of car dealerships like California, New York, and Texas. We're confident that our proven track record in Europe will translate well to the American market, where businesses are equally hungry for innovative solutions to streamline their customer operations.We also plan to expand into related verticals like car insurance, financing and even the energy sector.

These are ambitious moves, but we’ll never shy away from going after challenging verticals as the demand for our technology continues to grow.

9. Tell us about your first paying customer and revenue expectations over the next year.

While I can't disclose specific client details, our success with Aures is indicative of our revenue potential.

10. What’s your biggest threat?

One of our biggest threats is the rapid pace of AI development and potential competition. We’re staying ahead by continuously enhancing our AI-driven solution to provide even greater value to dealerships and sales teams.

We're also developing deeper integrations with management systems and CRMs, enabling more tailored interactions and ability to handle even more complex workflows.

For example, our system will soon be able to recognize when a customer's vehicle needs a tire change and facilitate that service on the spot. Beyond single calls, we're developing our AI's ability to manage and convert customers across a series of interactions, creating a cohesive and long-term engagement strategy.

Ultimately, our deep industry understanding and laser-focus on tangible outcomes are our biggest advantages. While competitors may try to catch up, we're committed to staying steps ahead through continuous innovation and an unwavering commitment to results.

This startup founder interview template is based on HackerNoon Founder & CEO David Smooke’s ten questions for startup founders.