Dan Novaes, co-founder and CEO of Mode Mobile, joins Ryan Alford to reveal how an idea that began with paying people to listen to music grew from less than $100,000 in revenue to more than $25 million by 2022. Mode Mobile rewards users for everyday smartphone activities, turning screen time, personal data and attention into an income-generating asset.
Dan takes Ryan through his journey from selling Japanese Pokémon cards as a kid to building a $2 million business in college, launching mobile apps and eventually creating the EarnPhone. They break down why attention has become one of the world’s most valuable resources, how brands pay for measurable consumer action and why your data alone is worth far less than what you do with it.
From failed products and strategic pivots to hardware mistakes, profitable growth and a potential IPO, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to build and repeatedly reinvent a technology company.
TOPICS COVERED
• How Dan built a $2 million business while still in college
• Turning $1,000 in birthday money into startup capital
• Mode Mobile’s growth from under $100K to more than $25M
• How the EarnPhone pays users for smartphone activity
• Why attention is more valuable than data alone
• The business model behind rewarded mobile engagement
• Building hardware versus licensing software
• Growth at all costs and the mistake that nearly killed Mode
• How constant pivoting created Mode Mobile
• Dan’s long-term vision for EarnOS and a potential IPO
CONNECT WITH DAN NOVAES
Mode Mobile:
https://www.modemobile.com/
EarnPhone:
https://www.modephone.com/
Mode Mobile Investment Information:
https://invest.modemobile.com/
Dan Novaes on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielnovaes
Mode Mobile on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/modemobile/
CONNECT WITH RYAN ALFORD
Right About Now:
https://www.ryanisright.com/
Instagram and LinkedIn:
@ryanalford
