VILLAGEx 2023 Founder Friday: iCAN Technologies
Founder Fridays is a series that spotlights VILLAGEx founders and their startups
David Decuir’s interest in founding his SaaS startup, iCAN Technologies, sparked after he realized organizations and industries across the region, such as petroleum, needed solutions for helping their workforce not only survive but thrive at their jobs.
Before starting iCAN Technologies in 2020, David spent most of his career in the oil and gas industry. Through that experience, he was able to understand the challenges that management and leadership face when creating sustainable workforce development training opportunities for their employees. He also understood the challenges that employees in those industries face when trying to advance their careers. David created a comprehensive, methodical, and seamless full-cycle approach to training and competency through data analytics to help companies offer their employees opportunities to sharpen skills and progress their careers.
In addition to helping workers advance, David is proud of what he is building because, in his words “Our solutions make the workforce more diversified and inclusive through data. We are giving people the opportunity to control their destiny through training, competency, and the Human Internet of Things.”
Since the launch of iCAN Technologies, David has been able to expand his team by four people across IT and Business Development. The iCAN team has also been able to grow its client base and has recently added another client from the energy industry.
Q & A
(Responses have been edited for clarity)
Why startup in New Orleans?
"[New Orleans] is perfect for a startup because of its geographical location to good schools and a large workforce."
What’s your best piece of startup advice for an entrepreneur in your industry?
David: "Be stubborn. It is very hard for people to change, and just because you have a solution to their current situation doesn’t mean they will instantly sign-up."
How do you hope you and your business evolve while in the VILLAGEx program?
David: "Networking and learning. It is amazing all of the people I’ve had a chance to meet with already, and we’re only two weeks into the program. I still can’t believe how many advanced people are willing to drop what they do in their everyday life to help us as we progress through the cohort."
What have been some of the most significant learning curves in running your own business?
David: “When you start a business, I don’t think most people are ready for all of the uncertainties. I think you really have to teach yourself how to deal with everything being pushed your way and do it in a healthy and meaningful way. You will make mistakes, and you can either dwell on them or learn from them.”
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iCAN's mission is to improve the safety, skills, and retention of your skilled workforce through a comprehensive, methodical and seamless full cycle approach to training and competency that is backed and validated through data analytics.
