“Why is this taking so long?”
That thought echoed in my mind many times during the early days of Favoriot. When we first launched our IoT platform, the excitement was immense. We envisioned businesses lining up to integrate IoT solutions into their operations. We saw a future where smart cities would flourish with our technology.
But reality?
Reality hit us like a storm.
For years, it felt like we were speaking to an audience that wasn’t ready to listen. Meetings after meetings, presentations after presentations, yet the market response was lukewarm. Are we doing something wrong? Is the world just not ready for IoT? Should we pivot?
Then, I stumbled upon the story of the Chinese bamboo tree.
And everything made sense.
The Chinese Bamboo Tree and Favoriot’s Journey
The Chinese bamboo tree is an extraordinary plant. When the seed is planted, nothing happens for the first year. Nothing.
The second year? Still nothing.
Third year? No growth.
By the fourth year, frustration sets in. Is the seed even alive? But the farmer keeps watering and nurturing it.
Then, in the fifth year, something incredible happens.
Within just six weeks, the bamboo tree grows nearly 90 feet!
From seemingly invisible growth to towering above the rest. But did it really grow in just six weeks? No. It was growing beneath the surface, building a strong root system that would support its rapid ascent.
Favoriot’s journey was precisely like that bamboo seed.
The First Few Years: Watering the Seed
When we started Favoriot, we knew IoT was the future. However, the industry in Malaysia and many other regions was still catching up.
Our first challenge? Convincing businesses why they needed IoT.
The problem wasn’t our technology. The problem was market readiness. Companies had legacy systems, decision-makers were sceptical, and budgets were tight. We were trying to sell a future that many couldn’t yet envision.
We knocked on doors, spoke at conferences, and educated the market, but it often felt like we were talking to an empty room. Was all this effort going to waste?
But just like the bamboo tree, we kept nurturing our roots.
- We kept building the Favoriot platform, refining it, and making it more user-friendly.
- We engaged with universities because we knew students would become the future IoT leaders.
- We formed partnerships, even if immediate returns were unclear.
For the longest time, we saw no “visible” growth. But under the surface, Favoriot was taking root.
The Year of Growth: The Bamboo Shoots Appear
Then, suddenly, things started shifting.
Companies that ignored IoT years ago began calling us. Universities started incorporating Favoriot into their courses. The ecosystem matured, and governments began pushing for digital transformation.
After all those years of patience and groundwork, we finally saw the results.
When people saw Favoriot’s success, many thought it happened “overnight.”
They saw the bamboo tree but not the years spent watering an empty patch of soil.
Lessons from the Bamboo Tree for Entrepreneurs
Looking back, the parallels between the Chinese bamboo tree and Favoriot’s journey are undeniable. And if you’re an entrepreneur, a startup founder, or someone chasing a vision, here’s what this story teaches us:
1. Growth Happens Beneath the Surface
Just because you don’t see immediate results doesn’t mean progress isn’t happening. The most crucial work—building systems, forming relationships, learning—happens before success becomes visible.
Favoriot didn’t become an IoT leader overnight. It took years of unseen work.
2. Patience and Consistency Are Everything
Imagine if the farmer gave up watering the bamboo tree in year four. The seed would never grow.
How many startups give up just before their breakthrough?
We were tempted to quit many times. The market was slow to respond, funding was challenging, and doubts crept in. But patience and consistency kept us going.
3. Build the Right Foundation
A bamboo tree grows 90 feet fast, but only because it developed strong roots first.
Startups must do the same. Too many rush into scaling before they are ready. Favoriot spent years refining our platform, understanding the market, and nurturing relationships before our exponential growth phase.
4. Trust the Process
Success isn’t always logical or linear. It doesn’t happen step by step in predictable ways. Sometimes, you work for years with little to show—until suddenly, everything aligns.
If you believe in your vision, keep going.
Favoriot’s Future: Reaching New Heights
Now that Favoriot’s bamboo tree has sprouted, does that mean the work is over?
Not at all.
If anything, this is just the beginning.
A 90-foot-tall bamboo tree also faces strong winds and storms. Our challenge now is to sustain our growth, expand internationally, and continue innovating.
But one thing is sure—our roots are strong.
We’ve weathered the most challenging years. We’ve proven our resilience. And just like the bamboo tree, Favoriot will keep rising, stronger than ever.
Final Thoughts: Water Your Own Bamboo Tree
Whatever you’re building—whether it’s a business, a career, or a dream—remember the Chinese bamboo tree.
Growth takes time. Patience is a must.
Water your vision every day. Even when you see no results. Even when doubts creep in.
Because one day, when the time is right, your bamboo tree will rise. And the world will wonder how you grew so fast.
They won’t see the years of struggle.
But you will know.
And you will know it was worth it.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 