What is the name of your organization? MileLogr.com

What is your name? Stefan Negritoiu

What is your role in the organization? CEO

When did you pitch at First Look Forum? Oct 2013

How has your business grown (financially & otherwise) since you presented at First Look Forum?    We doubled our user base as a result of making it even easier to claim deductions related to business driving and thus easier to save lots of money. We have regulars who deduct over $10,000 from their taxes with little effort because our app automatically prepares the reports needed at tax time. Part of making it easier is the companion mobile app that we shipped in the meantime. It works in conjunction with one’s calendar to track all those unscheduled detours that are still deductible.

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from participating in First Look Forum? I learned to focus my long term vision for automating expense management to deliver concrete products that add value and make folks’ lives easier now, rather than at some indefinite time in the future when we’re done building all the functionality we’re dreaming of. For example, instead of going head-to-head with established expense management products we’re focusing on integrating with existing solutions to eliminate data entry for a variety of vertical scenarios: MileLogr.com for business driving, FreeBusy.io for time management and timesheets, and others to come.

What advice would you give to future First Look Forum applicants? Don’t be defensive when you talk to mentors. Be open and take a moment and actually consider their advice, even though you might be tenacious (some would say hardheaded) about your vision and approach. Everyone we met through First Look Forum has been very genuine and helpful in wanting us to succeed and imparting from their knowledge and experience.

What is your Twitter handle? @stefann42