This is an alt account. I doubt I will use it to post again.

A friend of mine leads a startup. They are beginning to draw attention and are soon to go for investment funding. They make something to be used in sports, medicine, and space.

My friend is frustrated with the ecosystem’s current obsessions. ‘AI B2B SaaS’, making 10x returns in 3-5 years. None of it is sustainable. None of it solves real problems in a way that will keep them solved for decades to come. In a way that is truly new, and better than the old ways in consideration of social and ecological impact.

In your opinion, how might my friend best navigate their choices to positively influence the world? What actions would you take, in their shoes?

  • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    151·
    18 hours ago

    Find a different strategy for investment. Maybe crowdfunding? I know that seems infeasible but hear me out.

    If he is against the current environment, one of the main things he can offer that other places can’t is customer service. This was hammered into me in my twenties when I worked in a small rural grocery store that was somewhat competing for business with the Walmart about a 20 minute drive away. Being close to where people lived, keeping a stock of what those people wanted and needed, offering services they used, and giving them quality customer service from people they got to get to know on an interpersonal level is what could sway people to not make that 20 minute drive for something cheaper. For the most part, it worked.

    So many companies are chasing AI because they want to dump you into a customer service loop with an AI that never helps you. So many companies are chasing SaaS because they want endless income streams to be able to go public and sell the company. So many companies are choosing B2B because we’ve hollowed out the consumer class and the only groups who have a lot of money left to spend are big businesses.

    Focus on customer service and having real customer service agents, word of mouth will make people know that this company has humans you can talk to. Work with local governments to get grants to give some of this product away to local medical facilities or locally owned gyms for the sports use. State government grants are actually an excellent way to get funding and get your product in the hands of people who need it. Also, selling to state governments is also similar to a B2B model, except you’re working with the government to try to get things into the hands of people who need it.

    Anyway, just some thoughts, shooting from the hip so to speak on the idea. Hope it makes sense, good luck to your friend.