Ignite Startups: Building the Future of Creator Data with Jason Burchard of Rootnote | Ep101

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell speaks with Jason Burchard, co-founder and CEO of Rootnote, a company at the intersection of business analytics, sports, media, and entertainment. Rootnote is creating a platform that merges aspects of Canva and Tableau to empower digital content creators and creative teams. Jason shares the story of how his entrepreneurial journey began far outside of the tech world and eventually led him to create a scalable, software-driven solution after years of non-scalable, service-based ventures.

The conversation dives deep into the evolving creator economy and how the disruption in industries such as music has mirrored broader changes in content creation and monetization. Jason discusses the shift from traditional investment models to supporting creators who build multifaceted businesses—ranging from intellectual property and e-commerce to live events. Rootnote’s approach focuses on solving the challenge of managing data across various platforms, enabling creators and agencies to better understand, optimize, and monetize their content across diverse channels like Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram.

Brian and Jason also explore the broader trends in the creator economy, including the increasing role of content in business strategies, the rise of micro- and nano-influencers, and the shift toward brands leveraging individual creators for marketing. They highlight how the barriers to content creation have drastically lowered, allowing anyone with a smartphone to become a creator and challenging traditional advertising methods. Rootnote's vision extends beyond media and entertainment, with Jason outlining plans to democratize business intelligence tools for creators of all sizes, from small businesses to large agencies.

The episode wraps up with personal insights, including how accelerators like Techstars played a pivotal role in Rootnote's growth. Jason also shares his experiences as a non-technical founder, emphasizing the importance of trust in building a tech team and how perseverance is critical to success in the startup world.

Chapters:

• Introduction to Jason Burchard & Rootnote (00:01 – 00:17)
• Jason’s Entrepreneurial Journey: From Consulting to Tech (00:18 – 03:42)
• Rootnote’s Mission: Business Analytics for Creators (03:43 – 06:05)
• Evolution of the Creator Economy: Disruption in Media & Music (06:06 – 09:27)
• Managing Data Complexity for Content Creators (09:28 – 13:11)
• The Importance of Branding and Content (13:12 – 17:23)
• Challenges of Being a Non-Technical Founder (17:24 – 19:19)
• Pivoting from B2C to B2B in the Creator Economy (19:20 – 21:24)
• The Role of Accelerators in Startup Growth (21:25 – 24:23)
• Fundraising and Finding Product-Market Fit (24:24 – 27:57)
• The Accessibility Boom in Content Creation (27:58 – 31:36)
• Navigating Personal Challenges: Co-Founder’s Accident (31:37 – 34:40)
• Leaning on Your Network for Support (34:41 – 36:29)
• Fundraising Tips for Founders (36:30 – 37:58)
• Rootnote’s Long-Term Vision for Business Intelligence (37:59 – 38:45)
• Rapid Fire Round: Advice, Hidden Talents, and More (38:46 – 43:04)
• Conclusion & How to Learn More About Rootnote (43:05 – 44:25)