Opportunity Recognition

In September and November 2020, I was invited to deliver guest lectures at the University of Twente on Opportunity Recognition to students of business administration (both BSc and MSc).

Transcript

1. Opportunity Recognition Anand Chowdhary Co-founder of Oswald Labs and Koj
2. Anand Chowdhary is a creative technologist and entrepreneur. Currently founder at Koj, a Swiss “living as a service” company. Previously founder of Oswald Labs, an accessibility tech company. Studied at University of Twente and Santa Clara University. Open-source contributor, nonprofit advisor, and consultant to startups around the world. Splits time living between New Delhi, India, and the Netherlands. Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, Het Financieele Dagblad’s list of most-innovative entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, and in various publications around the world.
3. P+T=O S3 Δ Our experience and tools empower us to discover new opportunities. Seek, screen, seize. Changes in people, markets, and knowledge enable new opportunities.
4. P+T=O S3 Δ Our experience and tools empower us to discover new opportunities. Seek, screen, seize. Changes in people, markets, and knowledge enable new opportunities.
5. CLASS REBELS
6. CLASS REBELS
10. Education should be collaborative Study material should be available to all students Free and open tech platform
15. Discover great music Download and share for free Open source and community-driven
21. Information should be freely accessible Enabling technology for everyone Nonprofit to B2B SaaS
22. Problems + Tools
23. Problems + Tools Why? How?
24. Problems + Tools The relationship between form and purpose—How and Why—is symbiotic. But despite this link, Why is usually neglected, because How is more easily framed. It is easier to recognize failures of technique than those of strategy or purpose, and simpler to ask “How do I paint this tree?” than to answer “Why does this painting need a tree in it?” Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design
25. Problems + Tools Why? How?
26. Problems + Tools Open education Music discovery Access to information Technology Technology Technology
27. Problems + Tools Open education Music discovery Access to information Class Rebels Saga Music Oswald Labs
28. Problems + Tools Open education Music discovery Access to information Teach For All Spotify W3C WAI WCAG
29. Problems + Tools Open education Music discovery Access to information Khan Academy SoundCloud Americans With Disability Act
30. Problems + Tools Open education Music discovery Access to information ?
31. Problems + Tools
32. Problems + Tools = Opportunities
33. P+T=O S3 Δ Our experience and tools empower us to discover new opportunities. Seek, screen, seize. Changes in people, markets, and knowledge enable new opportunities.
34. P+T=O S3 Δ Our experience and tools empower us to discover new opportunities. Seek, screen, seize. Changes in people, markets, and knowledge enable new opportunities.
35. Seek Screen Seize
36. Seek Screen Seize How do we help people with disabilities access content on the web? Web browser extension for dyslexia Smartphone for users with disabilities B2B SaaS web accessibility platform Sales team with a digital marketing focus, growth partnerships with governments, nonprofits, corporates
38. Living as a Service Koj offers a furniture and interior monthly subscription in Switzerland. Get your apartment furnished by a professional interior designer.
39. Bigger tickets The average Koj customer spends a total of $15k–$20k on their apartment interior. These are very big tickets compared to industry benchmarks. Minimal logistics We order furniture on-demand, without the need for warehouses. Transportation and installation is handled by our retail partners. No retail space Traditional furniture stores require big, expensive retail spaces. Koj offers an online experience without the need for physical space.
41. Seek Screen Seize How do we make beautiful living affordable for millennials? Affordable interior consultations Rent furniture instead of purchasing Interior design & furniture subscription In-house interior designers, well-funded marketing and technology teams
42. P+T=O S3 Δ Our experience and tools empower us to discover new opportunities. Seek, screen, seize. Changes in people, markets, and knowledge enable new opportunities.
43. Δ Market trends Demography Technology Industry Values Market size Fashion
44. Δ People are used to subscriptions Netflix, Amazon, etc. People desire beautiful environments Airbnb, WeWork, etc. Technology has caught up AR, 3D, etc.
45. P+T=O S3 Δ Our experience and tools empower us to discover new opportunities. Seek, screen, seize. Changes in people, markets, and knowledge enable new opportunities.
46. Questions? Get in touch at mail@anandchowdhary.com or @AnandChowdhary on social media. Slides are available on SpeakerDeck: https://speakerdeck.com/anandchowdhary