Tech enthusiasts gathered at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 in San Francisco, where Waymo showcased its autonomous vehicle service. Many attendees are excited about the potential of self-driving cars, despite acknowledging that the technology is not yet perfect.
Waymo’s availability to the public and its presence on social media have contributed to the hype surrounding the company. “People get really excited, and they kind of want it all to happen right now,” said Pegah Ebrahimi, co-founder and managing partner of FPV Ventures.
However, experts note that hype often clouds our perception of what is currently happening. For example, Waymo’s service may be slower and more expensive than Uber. Social media platforms like Instagram can amplify this hype, making it harder to separate reality from fantasy.
On the consumer side, building lasting relationships with customers is key to capitalizing on hype. Natalie Sportelli, director at Bullish, emphasizes that people love products with a great experience. This applies not only to trendy products but also to more mundane ones like trash cans.
Mill, which offers high-tech composting bins, has successfully harnessed 80,000 Instagram followers by reframing its business as valuable green tech. The company’s device may be expensive at $360 per year, but it has the potential to reduce food waste.
As an investor, Ebrahimi prioritizes a company’s overall potential over its relationship with hype. “If you’re solving a problem, you don’t talk about hype – you just focus on solving it,” she said.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/03/if-you-actually-are-solving-a-problem-you-dont-talk-about-any-of-the-hype-investor-says