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Conversation
Highlights
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 Javier Marti, CEO & Founder of Divirod, a water data platform that has raised $7.6 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
- Global Background and Boulder’s Charm: Javier shares his international experience and how a visit to Boulder, Colorado, led him to call it home. This diverse background influences his global perspective on tackling water-related challenges.
- Early Entrepreneurial Ventures: From starting an e-commerce wine business with his wife to significant roles in engineering and space companies, Javier’s varied career set the stage for his venture into technology entrepreneurship focused on societal impact.
- Inspiration Behind Divirod: A moment of reflection in 2016 led Javier to focus on addressing the impending challenges of climate change, particularly those related to water. His vision for Divirod was to create a platform that could significantly contribute to our understanding and management of water resources in the context of global climate change.
- The Concept of “Google Maps for Water”: Divirod is described as the Google Maps for water, providing vital data and insights into water risks and impacts. This analogy helps convey the platform’s utility in navigating the complex issues surrounding water scarcity and climate change.
- Solving Water Data Scarcity: Javier highlights the challenge of water data scarcity and how Divirod uses both publicly available data and proprietary sensing technology to augment the understanding of water-related risks, showcasing the innovation at the core of Divirod’s solution.
- Marketing Philosophy and Traction: Focusing on brand awareness and partnerships, Javier discusses the importance of making the problem Divirod solves well-known, even in the face of a slow market. He emphasizes perseverance, partnerships, and direct feedback from the market as key strategies for building traction.
Actionable
Takeaways
Embrace Global Experiences:
Javier’s international background enriched his perspective and problem-solving skills, emphasizing the value of diverse experiences in entrepreneurship. For B2B tech founders, incorporating global insights can lead to more innovative solutions and a broader understanding of the problems you aim to solve.
Pursue Passionate Side Projects:
The journey into e-commerce wine sales highlighted the importance of exploring varied interests. These ventures can unexpectedly shape your entrepreneurial path, providing valuable lessons in direct-to-consumer marketing and supply chain logistics.
Identify and Address Niche Problems:
Javier’s shift from space engineering to tackling water data scarcity underscores the importance of focusing on specific, impactful problems. Founders should seek out underserved or emerging areas where their technology can make a significant difference.
Utilize Public and Proprietary Data:
Divirod’s approach to solving water data scarcity with a mix of publicly available information and proprietary technology offers a model for leveraging existing resources while innovating to fill gaps in data availability.
Focus on Partnerships for Growth:
Early-stage startups, particularly in disruptive markets, can accelerate growth through strategic partnerships with established industry leaders. These collaborations can provide credibility, scale, and access to new markets.
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