FT Start-Up Stories Series 3: Market research from the grassroots 7/10
Nov 14, 2016
Tugce Bulut, Founder of Streetbees, shares her insights on innovating market research through mobile technology. She discusses identifying data gaps in emerging markets like Nigeria and India, and how her platform gathers real-time consumer insights from paid volunteers. Tugce explains the challenges of rapid expansion and the importance of reliable, multi-country data. She also highlights effective strategies for building a global presence on a budget and ensuring data quality while preventing fraud, all using grassroots technology.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Data Shortage Blocks Investment
- Tugce Bulut realised lack of affordable, fast market data blocked investment in emerging markets.
- Mobile tech and on-the-ground volunteers could make data accessible and de-risk investment decisions.
First Field Win In Indonesia
- Bulut describes recruiting 1,000 users in Indonesia to photograph laundry habits for a major detergent client.
- She collected vivid videos like a 55-year-old woman washing with river water using the client's soap.
Bootstrap With Free Tools And Paid Contributors
- Use free platforms and minimal tools to prototype internationally with no cash.
- Pay contributors directly and let client budgets cover participant payments to sustain early operations.