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Strategic Communications Advisory For Visionary Founders
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 Johannes Peeters, CEO and Founder of Voxel Sensors, a 3D perception platform that has raised €7 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
- Voxel Sensors’ Mission: Johannes introduced Voxel Sensors as a company dedicated to building the cornerstones for spatial and empathic computing, enhancing devices’ ability to perceive and interact with the world in real-time and in all dimensions.
- Early Challenges and Strategic Founding: Founding the company right as the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns began, Johannes and his team used this period to quietly lay down the company’s foundation, patent filing, and strategic planning without external pressures.
- Innovative Technology for a Range of Applications: Voxel Sensors is developing technology that dramatically improves power efficiency and reduces latency in 3D sensing, applicable in consumer electronics like smartphones and augmented reality, as well as in industrial settings.
- The Dual Focus on Consumer Electronics and Industrial Applications: Johannes detailed how Voxel Sensors’ technology is versatile enough to cater to both consumer and industrial markets, highlighting the specific adaptations and targeted strategies for each sector.
- Marketing Philosophy and Go-To-Market Strategy: Despite initially minimal marketing efforts, Voxel Sensors has leveraged its industry connections, past experiences, and strategic board composition to engage with key players in the consumer electronics and industrial sectors.
- Future Vision and Ethical Use of Technology: Looking ahead, Johannes envisions a world where augmented reality and digital interactions seamlessly blend with our physical world, emphasizing ethical usage and the ability to choose when to engage with digital enhancements.
Actionable
Takeaways
Leverage Quiet Periods for Strategic Planning:
When external circumstances, such as the pandemic, slow down regular operations, use this time for foundational work such as patent filings and strategic planning without the usual market pressures. This approach allows for a more thoughtful and robust company setup that can handle future growth and challenges more effectively.
Innovate with Efficiency and Responsiveness in Mind:
Developing technology that significantly improves power efficiency and reduces latency can open up new applications and markets. For startups in hardware or deep tech, focusing on creating solutions that address these critical pain points can differentiate your product in crowded or emerging markets.
Prioritize Honesty in Customer Relationships:
Being transparent about where your product or technology stands, including its current limitations, can help build trust with early adopters and partners. This trust is essential for long-term collaborations, especially when navigating the uncertainties typical of introducing new technology to the market.
Be Selective with Strategic Investors:
Early on, carefully evaluate the alignment and conditions proposed by strategic investors. The right partners can accelerate growth, but the wrong ones can sidetrack the company's vision. It's vital to ensure that any partnership reinforces the startup's long-term strategy and operational independence.
Prepare for Continuous Fundraising and Network Building:
Understand that fundraising is an ongoing activity rather than a phase. Continuously engaging with potential investors and building a network, even when not actively seeking funds, can ease future rounds. This proactive approach ensures you're not starting from scratch each time and can help attract investment under more favorable conditions.
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