BCBusiness

38 BCBUSINESS APRIL 2019 a stigma. "Our mission has been to redefine anonymity and employ anonymity in an empowering and safe manner, and to be the first to accomplish this at scale." To make its messaging safer, Lipsi has partnered with Perspective API, Google's anti- bullying software, which deploys AI to learn user habits and jargon. Recently, Segal and his team have been creating messaging software that mental-health and LGBT support groups could use, via Lipsi or elsewhere. For him, retention is more important than cashing in by bombarding users with ads. "Whether it's Facebook or Instagram or Google, all these massive platforms have started by providing an amazing service, and monetization has always come second." BOTTOM LINE : Lipsi has about seven million users in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., roughly 350,000 to 400,000 of whom access the app every day. The company, which is developing its software in languages other than English, plans to expand into South America next. As of February, Segal was talking to several parties interested in buying Lipsi. –N.R. L E V E N T E M I H A L I K Co-founder and operating partner YOUNG MOVIEMAKERS AGE: 29 LIFE STORY: It's easy to believe Levente Mihalik when he says he loves kids. When we reach him, the East Vancouver native is at the hospital, having just witnessed the birth of his first child, a daughter. He also spends nearly every waking moment surrounded by young folks. Mihalik taught robotics at Gladstone Secondary before his recent parental leave, and since he was a teenager he's devoted every summer (and many Saturdays) to running moviemaking camps for children aged five to 18 with long-time friend Matt Kennedy. The pair officially started Young Moviemakers in 2014 after holding summer camps out of SFU for eight years. "We grew the program from 40 to hundreds of kids, and kids kept coming back and they loved it and they loved us," Mihalik remembers. "But we realized that we didn't own any of the content we were making; even though we felt like we created it, it wasn't ours legally." Mihalik credits Templeton Secondary drama teacher Jim Crescenzo and his program for at-risk young men as a gateway to the industry. Thanks to Crescenzo, he was editing projects for money at 14 while some of his pals spent their time in more nefarious ways. "I have some friends who passed away from drugs or gang violence, things like that," says the son of Hungarian immigrants. "But it made me realize how profound mentorship really is." Mihalik has proved himself something of a willing student. He's earned four degrees and diplomas so far: two from BCIT and one each from Capilano University and UBC. BOTTOM LINE : Young Moviemakers works with some 700 kids a year at community centres and recreation spots in Metro Vancouver. The camps employ about 20 people, and the films made by students have won more than 100 awards worldwide. –N.C. n Discover the UBC Master of Health Leadership and Policy in Seniors Care or Clinical Education. Get the business management, leadership and enhanced technical skills you need to progress in your career. Take the next step and advance your skills through specialized leadership, with a comprehensive 12-month professional master's degree. mhlp.ubc.ca/discover WHERE HEALTHCARE LEADERS ARE MADE. Master of Health Leadership and Policy THIRTY UNDER THIRTY

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