Navigating Traditional Industries: The Challenges and Opportunities for Startups in the Pandemic Era
Innovation and progress are the lifeblood of startups. But what happens when a startup ventures into an industry that's been unchanged for decades and resistant to change? At oji, we've experienced this challenge first-hand - and the pandemic has added another layer of complexity.
When we introduced our revolutionary disinfection technology to the market, we were entering a traditional, highly regulated, and conservative field. The healthcare and disinfection industry is characterized by entrenched routines and a preference for 'tried and tested' methods. Yet, we believe our innovative technology is going to make a real difference. The pandemic, in one respect, has helped raise awareness about the importance of effective disinfection and the increasing risk of pathogens due to global warming. This has certainly driven a demand for innovative solutions. However, it's also introduced new challenges. During the pandemic, many tried to find a solution with minimal research and overconfidence in their products. This has led to bigger companies and investors being wary of new disinfection technologies. It's made our advocacy work more challenging, but it's a challenge we are ready to tackle. One of the biggest obstacles we've encountered in our journey is the acceptance of the new. Demonstrating that a new approach is not just safe and effective, but superior, takes significant advocacy work and time.
Regulatory hurdles, while necessary for safety and assurance, present another significant challenge. Navigating rigorous approval processes can cost time and resources that are scarce for startups - A fee reduction for startups? Great idea, but this does not exist for most authorities. There are times it feels like we're burning money that could be better spent on final stages of development or hiring much-needed staff.
Yet, despite these hurdles, we remain optimistic. Our IPM[Intelligent Pathogen Management] technology has the potential to reshape the face of disinfection and drastically reduce hospital infections. Every day brings us closer to our goal of creating a safer and healthier environment for everyone. We're proud to be paving the way for a new era of disinfection technology. We believe in our product and the positive impact it will have. If you've also experienced the challenges startups face in traditional industries, especially during the pandemic, we'd love to hear your stories. Share in the comments below! Let me know if this meets your needs or if you'd like to make further changes.