In a captivating dialogue with Michael Okoye, the driving force behind ADAM (All-life Digital Asset Manager), we explored the birth of an app set to redefine the digital horizon. Stemming from a transformative event at age 15, Michael’s journey interweaves with the innovative spirit of the Aboriginal People, influencing ADAM’s design and purpose. Introduced to the global stage at CES in Las Vegas, ADAM promises not just to secure digital assets, but also to etch indelible memories for future generations. As ADAM reimagines digital legacies, Michael’s tale stands as inspiration for those aspiring to create meaningful digital change.
Bio:
Michael Okoye, a trailblazer in the automotive and technology industries. With a remarkable journey that began as the youngest salesperson at Mercedes Benz Winnipeg, Michael quickly rose to become one of its top performers, showcasing an innate talent for salesmanship.
Passionate about the convergence of technology and cars, Michael embarked on a journey of entrepreneurship. He grew ‘Rent Your Ride’ from the ground up and astoundingly achieved over 14,000 users, generating six figures in revenue. Not stopping there, Michael co-founded a software engineering company that achieved well over six-figure revenue in under six months, a testament to his knack for scaling and innovation.
Currently serving as the CEO of Revenant Systems Inc, Michael leads the charge in revolutionizing the digital landscape. Under their visionary leadership, Revenant Systems Inc developed the groundbreaking A.D.A.M (All-Life Digital Asset Manager) an app, addressing the vital question of “What happens to your digital assets after you pass away?”
Michael is not just a solo achiever but also a team builder extraordinaire. He has assembled an exceptional team to drive the growth of the ADAM app and have his sights set on substantial company growth.
Based in the vibrant city of Winnipeg, Michael is a dynamic force at the intersection of technology, automotive innovation, and digital legacy management, shaping the future one groundbreaking venture at a time.
Can you walk us through your entrepreneurial journey, starting from that life-altering event at 15, and how it led to the creation of ADAM (All-life Digital Asset Manager)?
When I was 15 I was hit by a car while crossing the road and almost lost my life. This was a very traumatic experience that I often look back on and think about “what if?” What would have happened if I had passed away? Not only would my dad have lost me, his only child, but he also would’ve lost all the precious memories I had of us on my phone. All my photos, videos, passwords, files, would have all been gone. I was a teenager so there was no way I was giving the password to my phone because frankly I had a lot of things on there that I didn’t want him to see. Have you ever heard the joke “When I die make sure you delete my browser history?” The funniest jokes are always the ones with some truth to them. There was a clear problem that affects everyone that has a phone. This is what lead to the creation of ADAM the “All-Life Digital Asset Manager.” ADAM allows you to upload specific digital content like photos, videos, files, passwords, notes and securely pass them on to whomever you want to have access to them when you’re gone. This is done with the help of two revolutionary features that we’ve patented. The “Executor Key” and “Release Timer.”
The mission of ADAM is deeply rooted in innovation, emphasizing the innovative spirit of the Aboriginal People. How have these cultural inspirations and values influenced the features and design of ADAM?
What inspires me, and has inspired ADAM’s mission is the Indigenous belief that today’s generation is responsible for the next seven generations. ADAM reflects this belief by allowing us to pass on memories and stories, digitally, from one generation to the next. These features include saving, and eventually sharing, photos, videos, files, and anything precious to you and your surrounding community.
How did the concepts of the Executor Key and Release Timer come about, and what role do they play in ensuring accurate and protected dissemination of digital assets?
The “Executor Key” and “Release Timer” combination was invented by us to address the concern that present solutions represented a huge risk to our privacy. For example, if you gave your iCloud username and password to your family in case of an emergency, technically if they were nosy, they could easily access your iCloud and read all of your messages, emails, pictures, videos, browser bookmarks etc while you are at work or on vacation. Similarly, if you were to give the code to your crypto wallet to someone for safekeeping, again, there is no way to actually stop them from spending all your coins without you knowing it. The fact is we all have things we do want our family to have – just not while we are alive. This is where the “Executor Key” and “Release Timer” are so powerful. Completely independent of your username and password, the “Executor Key” is a code you can give someone you trust straight away. The “Release Timer” acts as a trigger that once your “Executor Key” is used, ADAM begins messaging you and texting you letting you know your key has been inserted in the app. If two weeks goes by without a response, ADAM will open your account to your executor. If you are alive, however, the two weeks of notifications gives you an opportunity to reset your “Executor Key” before any of your information is released… and speak to your nosy friend.
ADAM has gained significant attention at the CES in Las Vegas. What was the experience like showcasing your project on such a prestigious platform, and how do you think this recognition will influence ADAM’s future direction?
We are extremely excited to be attending CES in Las Vegas in January. This is the largest tech exhibition in the world which makes it even more exciting. We were also accepted into Eureka Park, which is where the most promising startups are featured. When we presented our startup to the board who accepts applicants for CES and Eureka Park, they called back the next day to let us know we were accepted! It was noted by them that among the thousands of applications and presentations they’ve listened to, they had never come across or thought of anything like ADAM. We also attended the Elevate Festival in Toronto from September 26 – 28, where people were just as excited to hear about what we were doing as a company. It was great networking and showcasing our product! Being recognized at CES, the world’s largest tech conference will have a huge positive impact on ADAM’s future in terms of brand awareness, trustworthiness and getting this in-front of as many people as possible. The potential partnerships and deals that can arise from this is massive. At the end of the day, we want to get ADAM in-front of as many people as possible to showcase the utility of our product. This is something that everyone needs to have.
Beyond its technical capabilities, ADAM provides a platform for people to pass on treasured memories and data even after their lifetimes. How do you envision ADAM’s impact on human relationships and our approach to digital legacies?
ADAM’s potential impact on human relationships and digital legacies is immense. Here’s how I envision it:
1. Preserving Memories: ADAM allows individuals to pass on their memories, experiences, and knowledge to future generations. This preserves a sense of personal history and heritage, strengthening the bonds between family members and communities.
2. Digital Inheritance: It offers a structured way to pass down digital assets, such as photos, videos, documents, and even personal messages. Leaving instructions as simple as who your lawyer is, where your insurance, bank, will or crypto is will save a ton of headache for your family. This can reduce the stress and ambiguity often associated with digital inheritance after someone’s passing.
3. Legacy of Wisdom: By preserving the wisdom and insights of individuals, ADAM can serve as a valuable resource for society as a whole. It’s a way to ensure that valuable knowledge isn’t lost with time like family recipes, stories or heartfelt messages to loved ones. Like a digital library.
Overall, ADAM has the potential to transform how we approach our digital footprints and legacies. It can strengthen intergenerational relationships, enhance our appreciation for personal histories, and contribute to a richer, more connected digital future. However, it’s essential to navigate this technology with care, respecting individual choices and ethical boundaries.
Based on your experiences with ADAM and your entrepreneurial journey, what advice would you give to budding innovators aiming to create a lasting impact in the digital space?
1. Identify a Real Problem: Start by identifying a genuine problem or need in the digital space that you are passionate about solving. Your innovation should address a specific pain point or challenge. For me it was getting hit by a car and realizing that if I had passed away the only two outcomes was everything on my phone would be locked away and gone forever or if I gave my password to someone they would’ve had access to EVERYTHING including things I didn’t want people to see.
2. Build a Strong Team: Surround yourself with talented individuals who complement your skills. As one person you won’t be able to accomplish as much as a team full of talented people. The aim is to be an extraordinary company. An extraordinary company is built by an extraordinary team, and an extraordinary team is made up of extraordinary individuals. Select individuals who are extraordinary at what they do.
3. Focus on the User: Prioritize user experience and usability. We did this by following the KISS rule and continuously gathering feedback from users to refine and improve our product.
4. You never lose you only learn: Failure is a part of innovation. Be prepared to learn from your mistakes while keeping a positive attitude.
5. Stay Agile and Adaptable: The digital space evolves rapidly. Stay agile, be open to change, and adapt to new technologies and market shifts.
6. Build a Strong Network: Networking is critical to your success. Connecting with one person can completely change your life and the course of your business by opening up hundreds of doors of opportunity.
7. Metrics, metrics, metrics: Identify metrics that are important for your business like customer acquisition cost, burn rate, conversion rates etc. When you have all the right metrics you’re able to identify what is working and what isn’t working with real data and adjust accordingly while making informed decisions with this data.
8. Learn to be resilient: Creating a lasting impact takes time and dedication. Stay committed to your vision, and don’t give up when faced with challenges. It won’t be easy, if it was easy everyone would do it.
