founder’s message
The Ekkobar Founders have been developing technical solutions and businesses in the entertainment industry since the dot-com era. They have achieved successful exits for three of their ventures. Their notable accomplishments is scenechronize, which has become Hollywood's most widely used production management system for scripted TV shows and films. Their extensive experience has equipped them with the skills to effectively build, market, sell, and support small and large entertainment enterprises like HBO, Disney, CBS, NBC/Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and many more.
Led by Rhys Ryan, the CEO & Chief Engineer, he began his career with Fortune 500 tech giants like Microsoft, HP, and Tandem. His computer science and math degrees helped him create innovative computing techniques for cryptography, security, and early-day data science. Once the startup bug bit him, there was no looking back. His award-winning patented technology brought audio, video, telephony, natural language processing, and data science into entertainment. Rhys gained next-level growth cloud-computing experience while taking a break by working for Google and P&G. On the business side, he completed an advanced analytics degree at Harvard, attended two startup accelerator programs, and continues to work closely with his business advisors to perfect his skills.
Amber Dodson, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Ekkobar, brings over 20 years of experience in entertainment, media, and startups to her role. She spearheaded the New Mexico Film Office as Director, achieving a landmark $3.3B in direct industry spend and elevating the state to international acclaim. Amber's career began with documentaries in Bolivia and France, followed by impactful roles in marketing and TV at DISH Network, and film production with industry veterans like Larry Kasanoff (Lightstorm Entertainment). Transitioning to tech startups, she played a pivotal role in scenechronize's success and market share; it was later acquired by Entertainment Partners. Amber holds a B.A. from Colorado College, and in her role as Co-Founder of Ekkobar, leverages a special blend of business, fundraising, marketing and sales, grit, and love of visionary tech that helps us make better decisions and live better lives.
What is an ekkobar?
People often ask, “what is an ekkobar and how did you pick that name?” Well it’s a bit of a story. We searched for over a year for a good name that also had a domain available. We probably went through hundreds of options and nothing seemed to work. One Saturday night when Rhys couldn’t sleep, he made himself popcorn and watched one of his favorite movies, STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY. Near the end of the movie in the climatic scene, Spock and McCoy are configuring a torpedo when Spock says, “connecting echobars.” That was Rhys’ epiphany moment! He paused the movie, did a search for the name and then bought the domain. He then proceeded to call the team, waking most up, and shared the good news. Afterwards, Rhys finished the movie and got himself a good night’s sleep.
When we started the company, we thought long and hard about data and how best to find value lurking within. Often, data analytic companies think of all data as being equal, but it is not. A deck of cards are all equal until you build a house. The same is true for social media. The initial post holds a different value than a response deep down into the conversation. It’s like adding the ‘telephone game’ to the house of cards. Rhys and his fellow founders knew they need a set of guiding data principles to bring their dream to reality.
Ingest as close to 100% of the data as possible, understanding only occurs at the population level;
Rebuild the conversation as a three-dimensional network in order to understand the relationships and value; and
Value comes from the question or better put, “it is difficult to answer, when one does not understand the question,” Ambassador Spock from STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME
our founding principles
our board & investors
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Robert Mayer
Investor and Board Member, with expertise in finance and business management. CEO of Great Lakes Glads.
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Isaac Nuriani
Investor, Financial expert and leader with extensive experience in the investment and insurance industries. CEO of Augusta Precious Metals.
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Devlyn Steele
Investor, Financial expert with extensive experience in finance, AI, blockchain, startup mentoring and behavioral development.
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Connor Boundy
Investor, Startup Mentor, and Blockchain Advisor with extensive experience in business development and sales strategy. Co-Founder at Atlantis Capital, LLC.
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Luke Pillarella
Investor, with experience in privacy, data protection, compliance, AI risk management, and startup mentoring. Co-Founder at Atlantis Capital, LLC.
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Joe Pillarella
Investor, Global Supply Chain Advisor and Implementation Specialist with extensive experience in crisis management and sales operations planning. Co-Founder at Atlantis Capital, LLC.
our trusted advisors
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Bob Nelson
Bob is an experience CEO and entrepreneur with multiple successful ventures in his past. He has a background in finance, sales, and business management. He is also the Co-Founder & CEO at The Venture Mentoring Team.
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Terence Bentley
Terry spent most of his career successfully spearheading M&A deals. His has a background in finance, marketing, and startups. He’s a Founding Mentor, of The Venture Mentoring Team and teaches entrepreneurial classes at local schools.
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Aaron Eisman
Aaron Eisman is a social media veteran with 12+ years working for top sports brands like Turner Sports, Bleacher Report and the NFL . He currently runs Eisman Digital, where they work with startups, athletes and more. Aaron published a book titled "The Evolution of Sports Social Media" in 2021.
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Gregg D. Fienberg
Gregg is one of the top Film & TV Producers in Hollywood for such shows as True Blood, Deadwood, Twin Peaks, Big Little Lies and more. He also has a strong entrepreneurial spirit having founded CallPlease, a top call log management system for busy executives.
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Kourtney Hahn
Kourtney is a finance and strategy professional who brings expertise in strategy, financial modeling, data analysis, & M&A. Additionally, Kourtney provides transformational leadership to bring about operational changes to a company.
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Dave Lawon
Dave is an operationally focused, entrepreneurial CFO with demonstrated success in driving the financial strategy in small to mid-sized companies. His expertise includes developing strategic plans, financial models and best practices during high growth periods and economic downturns.
our close friends
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Stew Lyons
Film & TV Producer, background in entertainment, finance, and education.
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Brian O'Leary
Domestic & International Entertainment Law and Tax, background in finance and legal.
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Adrian Pruett
Producer, background in production and cinematography.