Entry Log 020

23 Oct

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Twenty entries. One extraordinary journey. And we're only just getting started.

Well, here we are. Entry Log 020!

And as this is something of a milestone, I thought I'd give Captain Scott Woldian a well-earned break and jump in myself for a change. I'm just about to head off on tour around Europe for a few weeks, and before I disappear into the wonderful world of airports, motorways, hotels, venues and everything else that comes with life on the road, I wanted to take a moment to say a few words personally. Not another grand announcement. Not another business pitch. Just a genuine thank you to everyone who's been following this rather extraordinary adventure, and a little update on where things stand before I hit the road. Because, looking back over these first twenty Journals, a lot has happened.

Some wonderful people have come into my life, some exciting opportunities are beginning to take shape, and a few ideas that started out as conversations are now becoming something very real. And we've just reached another milestone that I'm particularly proud of.

Stu-e has officially passed 4,000 conversations in just six weeks!

But before I get into all of that, I really do want to say thank you. Because none of this happens on your own.

None of this happens on your own

When I first started sharing the Terra Nueva story, I wanted people to see more than just the finished product. I wanted to share the ideas, the excitement, the challenges, the occasional frustrations and, hopefully, the breakthroughs along the way. Because building something new isn't a straight line. Sometimes things happen incredibly quickly. Other times, you can spend weeks having conversations, exploring possibilities and wondering when the next piece of the puzzle is going to fall into place. But through all of it, I've been fortunate to have some wonderful people around me. Individuals who've given their time, shared their expertise, opened doors, offered encouragement or simply listened to another one of my bonkers ideas. And there have been quite a few of those!

To everybody who's supported Terra Nueva, House of Tours Global, Stu-e and the emerging MNDO project, whether you've been directly involved or simply followed the journey through these Journals or on my social media platforms, I genuinely appreciate it. Some of the most important contributions haven't come with a contract, an invoice or a grand announcement. They've come from people believing that something might just be possible and being willing to help explore it. That means the world to me!

Four thousand conversations. Six weeks.

What began as an experiment in creating a free, multilingual conversational digital twin to support the music touring industry is now being used by people in different countries, speaking different languages (including Pig Latin!!), asking questions and finding help with all sorts of challenges. From tour planning and logistics to the practical questions that crop up on the road, Stu-e is starting to show exactly why I wanted to create him in the first place. To make experience, information and support more accessible. And to give people another option when they need a little help, without necessarily having to bring another person out on tour.

I've spent much of my working life seeing just how demanding this industry can be, particularly for smaller productions and the people juggling several jobs at once. If we can make some of that a little easier, save people time, help them avoid unnecessary expense and take some pressure off their shoulders, then we're achieving something worthwhile. The really encouraging thing is that people aren't just trying Stu-e once and disappearing. We're seeing genuine engagement, conversations in different languages and growing interest in what the technology can do.

It's early days, of course, and there's still plenty to learn and improve. But 4,000 conversations in six weeks is a POC and MVP that has actually generated revenue too, which tells me there's something worth developing and provides an exciting foundation for what comes next.

A much bigger picture

One of the things I've always tried to explain about Terra Nueva is that it's not simply one project or one piece of technology. It's a collection of ideas and opportunities that increasingly connect with one another. House of Tours Global brings decades of practical experience in live entertainment, touring and production. Terra Nueva is exploring new ways to create, capture, present and share entertainment and experiences, bringing physical events together with digital and immersive technology. Stu-e is demonstrating how conversational AI can provide practical, accessible support in a specialist industry. And MNDO takes some of those lessons and asks a much bigger question.

What if this technology could help people discover and experience the world around them, wherever they happen to be?

Different cities. Different languages. Different characters. Different experiences. All connected by something wonderfully simple. A conversation. These are separate ventures with their own purposes, but there's a common thread running through them. Making things more accessible, connecting people and creating opportunities that might not otherwise exist. And the more we explore, the more interesting those connections become.

Now it's time to build on it

Of course, ideas and enthusiasm only take you so far. There comes a point when you need the right people, resources and partnerships to turn promising developments into sustainable businesses. And that's very much where I am now.

I'm actively looking to connect with investors, strategic partners, collaborators and organisations who can see the potential in what I am building and want to help accelerate the next stage. That includes developing Stu-e further, exploring licensing and commercial applications, bringing MNDO towards market, and continuing to build the wider Terra Nueva vision. And here's something I'd particularly like people to consider.

Could your business, organisation, venue, event or industry benefit from its own version of Stu-e?

A conversational digital character that understands your business, speaks to your customers or colleagues in their own language, provides useful information and makes support more accessible. It doesn't have to be about touring.

The possibilities extend into events, destinations, hospitality, visitor experiences, entertainment and plenty of other sectors. I’ve already demonstrated that people are willing to engage with this kind of technology. Now I want to explore where it can make a genuine difference, and how I can develop commercially viable applications around it. So if you're an investor looking for an interesting early-stage opportunity, a potential partner with complementary expertise, or simply someone who thinks this technology could be useful in your own business, I'd love to hear from you. No elaborate pitch required. Just get in touch and let's have a conversation. After all, that's what this whole thing is about.

Twenty chapters in

Looking back through these first twenty Journals, I realise how much of this adventure has been about people. The people I've met throughout my life. The experiences that have shaped me. The challenges that have changed my perspective. And the people who are now helping to turn a lifetime of ideas into something tangible. There's still an enormous amount to do. I’m not pretending everything is finished, funded or ready to conquer the world tomorrow. Some things are progressing beautifully. Others need more time, investment and the right partnerships. That's the reality of building something ambitious. But I feel genuinely encouraged by where we are. And I hope that, by sharing the journey openly, I'm showing that you don't have to have every answer before you start. Sometimes you just need an idea, the determination to pursue it, and a few good people willing to come along for the ride. So to everybody who's been part of these first twenty chapters, thank you.

Thank you for the encouragement, the introductions, the conversations, and the belief. Thank you to everyone who's given Stu-e a try, shared feedback or helped me learn something new. And thank you to everyone who's taken a few minutes to read these Journals and follow what I am trying to achieve. It really does mean the world!

Before I hit the road

So, as I get ready to pack my bags and head back out on the road, I wanted to leave you with one simple message.

Thank you.

To my team, our partners, supporters and everyone who's taken an interest in what we're building, I genuinely couldn't be more grateful. There's still an enormous amount to do, and I'm certainly not disappearing from Terra Nueva just because I'm heading off on tour. Knowing me, I'll probably come back with another dozen ideas and a phone full of new contacts! But that's rather the point of this whole adventure, isn't it?

Twenty Journals in, and I’m only just getting started. I’ve spent the first twenty chapters exploring what's possible. Now it's time to see what we can make happen together. And if you think you could be part of that next chapter, whether as an investor, collaborator, partner or potential customer, please do get in touch. I'd love to have a conversation.

Right then. I'd better get packing.

Here's to the next twenty!

Stu

Founder — Terra Nueva & House of Tours Global

Stu Phillips