Andy Freivogel

CEO and Co-Founder

Bio

Andy Freivogel is the CEO & Co-Founder of Science On Call. With over 25 years of experience in technology and retail, Andy has a robust background in creating specialized data networks and systems for end-user support. Before founding Science On Call, he was the IT Director at Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea and co-ran a boutique IT consultancy. His extensive experience in the specialty coffee industry and his dedication to improving technology use in the hospitality sector have been pivotal in his role at Science On Call.

Andy Freivogel is the CEO & Co-Founder of Science On Call. With over 25 years…

Company:

Science On Call

Location:

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Description:

Science On Call is a restaurant tech platform that provides 24/7/365 tech support services for the hospitality industry. Founded in 2020, the company offers solutions for a wide range of restaurant tech needs, including point of sale systems, internet, Wi-Fi, online ordering platforms, email, and phone systems. The platform is designed to minimize downtime and tech-related issues, allowing restaurants to focus on delivering exceptional dining experiences. With a proprietary database of technology solutions and a team of dedicated restaurant technologists, Science On Call helps streamline operations and reduce internal IT costs for restaurants across the United States and Canada.

Science On Call is a restaurant tech platform that provides 24/7/365 tech support services for…

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Conversation
Highlights

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech’s most innovative B2B founders. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Andy Freivogel, CEO & Co-Founder of Science On Call, a restaurant tech platform that has raised $4.4 Million in funding.

Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:

Origin of “Science On Call”: The company’s name reflects its evolution from a boutique IT consultancy to a tech support platform, emphasizing its 24/7 availability and responsiveness to restaurant technology needs.
Platform Agnostic Approach: Science On Call supports various tech stacks across different restaurant brands, providing a unique service by being completely platform-agnostic. This flexibility allows them to service any restaurant’s tech support needs regardless of the underlying systems they use.
Impact of the Pandemic: Launching right before the COVID-19 pandemic provided unique growth opportunities. With restaurants shifting rapidly to off-premise dining, the demand for seamless technology solutions surged, positioning Science On Call to meet these critical needs.
Automation and Scalability: Andy highlights the company’s focus on automation to solve common IT issues in restaurants, which improves efficiency and allows restaurant staff to focus more on customer service rather than tech troubleshooting.
Cultural Alignment and Branding: The company’s branding, which includes elements like a gorilla and a Nokia phone, resonates with the gritty, vibrant culture of the restaurant industry, emphasizing their connection and understanding of the sector they serve.
Customer-Centric Sales Strategy: Transitioning from a broad outreach strategy to a more targeted, buyer-centric approach significantly improved their go-to-market strategy, enhancing customer acquisition and satisfaction.

Actionable
Takeaways

Embrace Platform Agnosticism:

One of Andy's key strategies was creating a service that is platform-agnostic, allowing them to serve a wide range of restaurant technology stacks. This approach can be pivotal for tech startups aiming to maximize their market reach and flexibility in serving diverse client needs.

Leverage Automation for Scalability:

Implementing automation to handle common problems can significantly enhance scalability and efficiency. Startups should consider developing automated solutions that allow clients to solve problems quickly, thus improving customer satisfaction and reducing dependency on human intervention.

Align Brand with Customer Culture:

Andy's decision to use distinctive and culturally resonant branding (e.g., the gorilla and Nokia phone) helped create a memorable identity that aligns with the community-oriented, vibrant culture of their clients. This strategy can be effective for startups looking to establish a strong, relatable brand presence in their target market.

Adapt Sales Strategy to Market Conditions:

The shift from a broad sales outreach to a targeted, buyer-focused strategy was crucial for Science On Call. Understanding the distinct needs and behaviors of decision-makers can lead to more effective marketing and sales efforts, particularly in B2B contexts.

Prepare for External Shocks with Flexibility:

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic just after the launch of Science On Call tested their business model significantly. The ability to quickly adapt to market changes and see potential opportunities in crises is crucial for startups to survive and thrive in volatile environments.