Totem Computer
Empowering you to create, work, and play from anywhere, anytime.
Startup Snapshot
Startup name: Tótem Computer
Industry: Cloud Computing
Business Model: B2C SaaS
Founder: Antonio TarÃn & Luis Alfonso Rojo
Operates in Worldwide
HQ Location: Monterrey, Mexico & San Francisco, USA
Team Size: 2
Founded: 2021
Stage: Pre-seed
Investors: Life Is Too Short Capital & Angel Investors
Accelerators: Google for Startups
Website: totem.computer
What does Tótem do?
Tótem is an online service that allows you to use high-performance computers in the cloud from any device you already own. Suppose you have a demanding task, like using AutoCAD or Revit, doing 3D renders, or playing a demanding video game. With Tótem, you can do it without high-performance hardware or making investments in equipment.
What's Tótem backstory?
Antonio has always been involved with computers. He's been hooked on technology since he was five and connected to an iMac for the first time. In college, he met his partner, Luis Alfonso Rojo, and became good friends from the first day of class.
While in university, they had a lesson on Computer Graphics where they had to do 3D models and animations. They both had MacBooks without dedicated graphics cards, which made simple renders take up an entire weekend, depending on the project's size. Many other students without gaming laptops or workstations only had two options: buy a new device or go to the university's lab and stay late waiting for work to finish.
Antonio Tarin, Totém co-founder
How did you come up with the idea?
That's when they came up with the idea of setting up and using a virtual machine on AWS for their projects. They realized it could work as a business if they removed the technical barrier and offered it to end-users on demand. Thanks to their technical abilities, they achieved this with a user-friendly interface for end-users, something major cloud computing providers don't provide.
How did you acquire your first customers?
Word of mouth. Antonio and Luis contacted Architects and VFX artists who were friends and commonly had these issues. Architects and VFX artists require high-end PCs, but many don't have the means to get a powerful PC, prefer using a Mac, or simply don't want to lug around a big, heavy device. With Tótem, this problem is eliminated. The ball started rolling on its own; pros began recommending Tótem's service to other architects and animators, and it began to spread naturally through WhatsApp groups. They have users in more than ten countries: Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Spain, and Turkey.
What's your motivation?
Antonio and Luis believe their ideal customers are students, professionals, and small businesses in architecture, animation, industrial design, mechanical engineering, data science & AI, and gamers. They have identified these customer segments, and those using their service keep returning.
50% of our users are recurring subscribers, and the other 50% are sporadic. Still, they return several times a year whenever they need extra power.
Luis Alfonso Rojo, Totém co-founder
What's next for your startup?
Short-term: They are raising their next funding round to go to market. Their previous fundraising was for building the MVP, which is already constructed and operational. The next step is Go-To-Market, reaching consumers, particularly in LATAM, and educating them about cloud computing, what it is, and all its advantages. In LATAM, consumers face more challenges due to lower income levels and higher equipment costs due to inflation and import expenses. Additionally, the LATAM consumer culture involves keeping computers longer than the rest of North America. Tótem extends the lifespan of devices that would otherwise be obsolete.
Medium-term: Generating content is the focus. They want to show people examples of how Tótem can help their careers, professions, and daily lives. People go to platforms like YouTube to learn, and the idea is to educate professionals through content creators on this medium. They also plan to affiliate with freelance platforms like Fiverr and coworking spaces like WeWork to establish equipment rental services for their users.
Long-term: Their long-term vision is to become the "Spotify of Software" through cloud computing. Users would not only rent the computer but also the required software, and they would pay only for the hours of equipment and app usage, which would include a genuine license for the required software.
Tips for other founders:
The investment ecosystem in Latin America tends to be conservative and often favors proven business models; innovative entrepreneurs should consider tapping into angel investors or international funds that may be more receptive to groundbreaking ideas.
Entrepreneurial journeys are rarely without challenges. It's crucial to maintain your resolve and not be disheartened by those who may not understand or appreciate your vision. Persistence is key.
While feedback from investors, experts, and critics can offer valuable insights, it's crucial to remember that the most important feedback often comes from your users. They are the ones directly interacting with your product, and their experiences can provide the most relevant information for your project's success. Always evaluate input within the context of your unique mission and potential; there's no universal blueprint for success.
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Totem is amazing! Excited to give that a shot! Thank you for the awesome insight Daniel!