An idea almost a decade in the making has become a reality for NC alumnus Matt D’Avirro, who has combined his background in digital marketing and communications with emerging technology to launch a new online platform to help voters make informed decisions.
D’Avirro, a 2012 graduate of NC’s Public Relations graduate certificate program, is the creator of VoteGrid, a web-based platform designed to help voters access and compare information about candidates running in elections.
The platform allows candidates to complete profiles and provide responses to questions in 200 characters or less, which are then displayed side-by-side for users to explore.
For D’Avirro, the early concept for VoteGrid goes back nearly 10 years to his time working at a local marketing agency.
While assisting a municipal candidate with his website and social media, he came across a newspaper article that presented candidates’ responses to a series of questions in a side-by-side format.
“I had a lightbulb moment,” he said.
Recognizing the potential for a centralized digital resource that could present information in a similar way, D’Avirro began envisioning a platform that could be used across different elections.
Bringing that vision to life wasn’t immediately possible. Without a background in software development, D’Avirro initially faced significant costs to build a platform with the functionality he envisioned. The idea was put on hold until recent technological advancements made it more accessible and affordable to develop the platform himself.
Once he was able to turn his concept into a functioning platform, the next challenge was attracting users.
“Building the app is the easy part, getting the users to come was the bigger challenge,” said D’Avirro.
Drawing on his professional experience in digital marketing, communications and public relations, D’Avirro developed strategies to generate awareness, encourage sign-ups and attract media attention.
Since launching, VoteGrid has received hundreds of positive comments, and more than 300 candidate profiles have been completed on the platform.
D’Avirro, who currently works for a national business-to-business software company, hopes to continue developing VoteGrid and expanding its reach across Canada, with the potential to explore international markets in the future.
Building communications and strategic thinking skills at NC
D’Avirro credits his time at NC with helping him develop the skills that have supported his entrepreneurial journey.
After graduating from the Public Relations program in 2012, he pursued a career in digital marketing, building on the communications and strategic thinking skills he developed during his studies.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Public Relations program,” he said. “I honed so many skills that I still use in my career today – clear, concise communication in the writing classes, tech-forward thinking in social media classes, and having a holistic, seeing-the-whole-picture approach that was emphasized in our core PR classes.”
He credits the program’s hands-on approach with helping him develop clear and concise writing skills, an early understanding of social media and the ability to approach communications challenges from a broader strategic perspective.
“Whether it’s in my day job, or in building this side-project, I gained so many foundational skills through the hands-on learning I did in my time at NC.”
For current students and recent graduates interested in entrepreneurship, D’Avirro encourages gaining practical experience and developing professional skills before launching a venture of their own.
He believes some of the strongest business ideas emerge from firsthand experience in an industry, where professionals can identify gaps and develop solutions to address them.
His advice is simple: “Go do first.”
“Look for a job in a field where you can learn and grow your professional skills,” he added. “Even if it’s just for 6 months, or maybe 6 years, you’ll set yourself up better for success.”
