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Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech’s most innovative B2B founders. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Agapitos Diakogiannis, Co-Founder and CEO of Seafare, a maritime recruitment platform that has raised $6.5 million in funding. Born and raised in Greece, a nation renowned for its maritime heritage, Agapitos brings a wealth of experience from startups, consulting, and venture capital to address the pressing needs of the maritime industry.
Drawing from his time at Rocket Internet, Agapitos learned the importance of operational excellence and the ability to execute quickly. Founders should cultivate a culture that prioritizes these aspects, enabling their startups to adapt rapidly to market
Seafare's focus on bringing transparency and efficiency to maritime recruitment demonstrates the impact of applying technology to solve industry-specific problems. Identify pain points in your target sector that are ripe for innovation and develop tailored tech solutions that address these issues directly.
The strategic shift in how Seafare communicated with shipping companies—moving away from highlighting disruption to focusing on solving pain points—underscores the importance of knowing your audience. Tailor your message to resonate with your customers' needs and concerns, rather than pushing innovation for its own sake.
In light of changing venture capital markets, Agapitos emphasizes building a business that is not just about rapid growth but also about sustainability and profitability. Founders should balance growth with financial health, focusing on creating value and ensuring the long-term viability of their ventures.
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