That Will Never Work #17: Finding Your Funding
Aug 31, 2021
Claudia shares her mission for creating equitable transit solutions for people with disabilities, driven by her personal experiences. The conversation dives into microtransportation and developing accessible technology. Funding challenges are explored, with tips on shifting risks and securing contracts to attract investors. Claudia discusses the importance of grants and public-private partnerships for early financing. The dialogue emphasizes staying focused on core issues and iterating solutions to achieve success.
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Accessibility Must Be Designed From Day One
- Designing technology "by and for" people with disabilities fills a long-standing gap in product design.
- Building accessibility from the ground up changes both interface and service outcomes.
Start With A Narrow, Provable Goal
- Focus narrowly on one concrete problem and one initial customer segment to prove your model.
- Define the exact next proof point investors will get from this funding round.
Paratransit Is A High-Cost, Underperforming Market
- Paratransit is a federally mandated but costly, low-quality service across U.S. transit agencies.
- Replacing its failed delivery model creates a large, addressable opportunity for innovation.