The world of startups is exhilarating, filled with promise, and yet, fraught with challenges. As the founder of a groundbreaking IoT product designed to make the lives of senior citizens living solo safer and more comfortable, I embarked on a journey that turned out to be both eye-opening and humbling.
A Market in the Making
As countries globally grapple with aging populations, we identified a burgeoning market. Our vision was clear: create a product that aids elderly individuals living on their own, filling a growing need in countless households. We hoped this would not only resonate with potential users but also capture the attention of investors who understood the gravity and scale of this need.
The Hunt for Funding
In our quest for early funding, we approached a staggering number of venture capitalists — over 70, to be exact. Our outreach methods were varied, spanning everything from accelerators and pitching competitions to direct introductions and cold emails. But alas, the interest we hoped for remained elusive.
Facing the Harsh Realities
Our interactions with these VCs provided crucial insights. For many, we were too early in the game. Our product was still in its infancy, with no paying customers to speak of, only trial users. Our pricing model left potential investors unconvinced, and we were still piecing together the most effective business model and sales channels.
A particularly challenging hurdle was our unfamiliarity with the health domain, a crucial aspect considering our target audience. The absence of health advisors or medical professionals on our panel was a glaring void.
But the crux of our pitch problems? Traction. It became apparent that we hadn’t yet hit that sweet spot of product-market fit. As founders, being on the receiving end of these critiques and rejections was a hard pill to swallow.
Rising from the Ashes
Though the feedback was tough, it wasn’t the end of our story. If anything, it lit a fire under us. While a significant number of startups don’t even make it past their fifth year, we’ve crossed the six-year mark, and with that comes invaluable experience.
Now, we have a deeper understanding of our startup’s unique strengths and have zeroed in on an effective business model. We know what traction and revenue metrics we need to hit to make investors sit up and take notice. Most crucially, we recognize the importance of demonstrating a clear product-market-fit.
Looking Ahead
As we gear up for our next funding round, we do so armed with the lessons of the past. Our journey, filled with its ups and downs, has been invaluable in shaping our startup and our vision for its future. We’re ready to pitch again, with renewed vigor and a clearer roadmap to success.
To all fellow founders out there, know this: every rejection, every critique, is a stepping stone. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it propel you to greater heights.
