The Journey of Soma and its Impact on Staff Training
StartupReporter interviewed Simon Solbas, CEO and Founder of Soma, to learn about the platform, which uses AI language models to deliver industry-specific training for companies.
Your business is unique, so your training should be, too. Soma provides adaptive training tailored to the business and industry specifics. Let’s say you own a restaurant. Everything from how your waiters learn about your menu to how they engage with customers based on location, cuisine, and demographics is tailored to your needs.
How it works
Your team gets two short, interactive missions a week, each designed to be completed in 15 minutes. But here’s the innovation — they’re not just learning. They’re earning credits, unlocking rewards, and having fun. It’s training but feels less like a chore and more like development.
That’s how Soma transforms learning into growth in a way that sticks.
Oleksandr Komarevych: – Tell us a bit about yourself. What is your role in the company, and what is your startup about?
Simon Solbas: – I’m Simon — 24, half Norwegian, half Spanish. I spent some time in the US studying, which is where I first got first introduced to venture capital, and that eventually led me into the startup world. Right now, I’m the Founder and CEO of Soma. What we do is simple yet powerful: we take staff training, which is often outdated, and combine it with AI to create training experiences that are actually engaging and tailored to a business’s specific needs. It’s not just another tool—it’s a smarter way to ensure your team grows and performs for your business.
Oleksandr: – Where did the idea come from?
Simon: – Honestly, it wasn’t one of those lightbulb moments. My parents have businesses, and every time I went home, I’d hear them complain about how much time they lost trying to train their staff. It was always the same frustration—valuable time they could’ve spent on other important things, but instead, they were stuck in the weeds with training. So, I thought, why not solve this with AI and give people like my parents a smarter, more efficient way to handle it?
Oleksandr: – What is your advice for people who want to create a company and are looking for co-founders but don’t know how to find them?
Simon: – Honestly, finding the right co-founder isn’t easy, but don’t stress if it doesn’t happen immediately. Sometimes, you can pull off a lot by yourself, especially nowadays—you need to get creative and leverage the resources available. Surround yourself with people as driven and hungry as you because that’s where the magic happens. Tools like YC’s Co-Founder Match or platforms like CoffeeSpace are great starting points, but ultimately, it’s about finding someone who shares your vision and work ethic.
Oleksandr: – How would you describe your team in one word?
Simon: – Ambitious
Oleksandr: – Often, in an interview, I want to understand why you chose a specific project or problem and why you are so interested in this specific topic. Going a long way around, this brings me to the following questions: What kind of child were you? And, did you have someone who influenced you when growing up?
Simon: – Growing up, I played tennis professionally, and honestly, it has a lot of similarities to entrepreneurship. Tennis teaches you discipline, resilience, and how to problem-solve on the fly, which is exactly what you need in business. You don’t always get it right the first time, but you keep adjusting until you find what works.
As for why I chose this path, I never fixate on a specific solution. I focus on analysing the problem deeply and then finding the most effective way to address it. For me, it wasn’t some “eureka” moment. The problem was right in front of me—my parents run businesses, and every time I’d visit, they’d talk about how much time and effort they were wasting on staff training. So, I didn’t chase the solution right away. I looked at the problem, dug into it, and eventually realised that AI could change the game. That’s how Soma came to life.
Oleksandr: – What can you suggest or offer as tips to founders during the “low points” a startup sometimes experiences?
Simon: – It never really gets easier, but here’s the thing: that’s part of the journey. When you hit those low points, remember that it’s not about avoiding problems but how you deal with them. Like in tennis, you’re down sometimes but keep playing point by point.
Break things down into smaller wins, focus on what you can control, and stay connected to people who can give you perspective. And don’t be afraid to lean on your support network—whether it’s a co-founder, a mentor, or even just someone who’s been there before. Often, the toughest moments are where you find the most clarity.
Oleksandr: – Can you recommend some books?
Simon: – If you’re diving into books, I highly recommend Brave New World—it gives you a different perspective on society and the future that’s worth considering as a founder. Another essential is Ray Dalio’s The Changing World Order, which gives you a big-picture view of global shifts, something every entrepreneur should know. I won’t mention the usual suspects like Zero to One or The Lean Startup because I’m sure most of you have read those already—and if you haven’t, you definitely should!
Oleksandr: – What did you learn from being a founder?
Simon: – Just like our training at Soma “adaptable” – Being a founder has taught me that adaptability is everything. You can have the best plan in the world, but when reality hits, you must be ready to pivot and adjust. It also taught me the importance of resilience—there are high points, sure, but there are plenty of low ones, too. Staying focused on the long-term vision and surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference. And, maybe most importantly, I learned that you’re never done learning. Every challenge is a new lesson.
Oleksandr: – What would you like to wish the readers?
Simon: – Don’t wait for a big ‘eureka’ moment—it rarely happens that way. Instead, find a problem that bugs you; if it itches enough, explore it. The deeper you dig, the clearer the solution becomes. It’s about curiosity and persistence, not waiting for inspiration to strike.
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