Dreamr is based in the heart of innovation in Manchester city centre at No.1 Spinningfields. The team at Dreamr believe technology has the power to inspire and enrich lives in a positive and meaningful way.
Their business mission is to create the most innovative and thought-provoking products in the world by building applications for the Phone, TV, Watch & Web for entrepreneurs and enterprises, and those who want to change the world.
Jack Mason, 28, is CEO of Dreamr, a multi award-winning app development business based in the north of England. He was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Whilst studying at college, Jack was diagnosed with cancer after finding a lump in his chest. After nine months of chemotherapy, Jack had to endure several operations over two years before he was given the all-clear. Although Jack’s diagnosis affected his studying, he managed to leave college with an A and two B’s in his ‘A’ Levels.
After college, Jack enrolled at Manchester Metropolitan University to study Business Enterprise, but shockingly his cancer came back, forcing him to abandon his studies to concentrate on his treatment. Supported by his friend (and Dreamr co-founder) Mylo
Kaye, whom he met at university, Jack underwent more treatment before he was finally given the all clear – and he re-took his three years at university to earn his degree.
Teaming up with Mylo after university, the pair decided to launch a website design business under the name Bamboo. Their very first client was a balloon company, which paid them £500 and paved the way for future development.
Although the website business was successful, Jack and Mylo were both hugely interested in and excited by future tech, and when smartphones became part of everyday life, the pair branched out into app development and – inspired by John Lennon’s Imagine – changed the business name to Dreamr.
How long have you been running your business and what does Dreamr do?
Dreamr was established in 2014, and I took over the reins as CEO earlier this year.
With an overall vision to be at the absolute forefront of technology, Dreamr creates apps for businesses that feature aspects of tech such as machine learning and augmented reality, for a broad range of sectors including fitness, fashion and education.
Who was the inspiration for the business current path you are on?
My business partner and co-founder of Dreamr, Mylo Kaye, has been hugely inspirational in my life.
When we met at university, we quickly realised that our approach to business and skills complemented each other well.
We’ve worked really well together to grow the business and I’m really proud of what we have achieved.
Is here one bit of advice you wish you’d been given before you started your business?
I wish someone had told me about the importance of building a fantastic team with people whose skills complement your own. Having inspiring, motivated people around you – who are better than you at certain aspects of the job – is crucial to a team’s success.
What is the one most important thing you’ve learned during the experience of running your own business?
I have learnt that micro-managing only holds you back. I much prefer to hire the right people, and allow my team make their own decisions in line with the overall mission of the business. This has proven to be an effective approach so far, and one which I believe will help to push our business forwards as we propel into the future.
I also believe in being open to suggestions from my fellow Dreamrs, and I have quickly implemented any creative or strategic ideas which I feel will boost morale, happiness or help to make our systems slicker and more efficient.
What do you see as your future business challenges?
The tech landscape is every changing, so it’s crucial that we keep up, drive change and ensure we are at the forefront of the evolution.
It’s also important that we strive to differentiate ourselves within Manchester’s thriving tech community – it’s great to be part of such an inspiring community, but we must endeavour to keep Dreamr pushing boundaries, as well as supporting our peers.
What would you like to leave as your business legacy?
Dreamr Ventures is something we are proud of, and we plan to invest in many more tech startups that are part of the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Launched at the end of 2017, Dreamr Ventures was established to support innovative tech startups, inviting entrepreneurs to apply in order to secure investment, technical and ongoing support.
Start-ups and entrepreneurs are invited to apply online for the money-can’t-buy support via a qualification process.
Dreamr Ventures is committed to giving £1 million worth of support to qualifying businesses over the next five years, helping them to grow and secure financial investment, and supporting them with strategy, marketing and other operational requirements.
Ventures was created to support innovative new startups with exciting concepts that featured aspects of future tech, helping to drive the industry forwards
It’s hugely satisfying to know that we are making a difference to these startups by investing in their future.
What is biggest business achievement so far?
Having cancer has definitely shaped my approach to being CEO of a company. As well as giving me more focus and determination than most, it has also given me a new perspective when it comes to looking after the wellbeing of my team members.
Work takes up a huge part of our lives, so it’s important that Dreamr employees enjoy their jobs, feel passionate about our values, continue their professional development and also take time out to nurture their own passions. With this in mind, we introduced our Pledge 10% initiative earlier this year, something that I have pioneered and directed since I took over as CEO. Pledge 10% is something I am hugely proud of.
The scheme allows team members to spend ten per cent of their work time volunteering for projects that they feel passionately about. So far, we have seen team members volunteer in homeless centres, work in donkey sanctuaries and help to keep Manchester tidy.
Additionally, all team members dedicate time every month to professional development, learning about AI, AR and machine learning for example – something else that can benefit employee wellbeing as well as benefiting our company as a whole. We believe in investing in people.
When you are not running your business, what do you do to relax?
I live in Manchester City Centre, and I love exploring this wonderful city and eating out at the numerous restaurants that it boasts. I also love travelling, especially Mexico, but when I am at home I love mountain biking in the nearby Peak District. It’s a great way to de-stress and get away from it all!
What is your biggest achievement outside of business?
After my battle with cancer as a teenager, I spend my Pledge 10% time as a trustee of Kidscan, an incredible Salford-based charity that helps children with cancer and supports their families.
Children’s cancer is hugely underfunded and Kidscan funds and manages research into new and improved treatments for children with cancer. It’s an incredible charity and one I am very proud to support.
What would you be doing if you weren’t running your business?
If I wasn’t the CEO of Dreamr, I’d love to own my own chain of hotels! Travel is a huge passion of mine so any way to combine business and world travel would be incredible.
In the future. I’d like to be more hands-on with our Dreamr Ventures clients, helping them with business support and development.
You can find out more about Dreamr by visiting their website.
Follow Dreamr on Twitter @dreamr
Follow Jack on Twitter @Jack_Dreamr
