Are you tired of seeing promising technologies and innovations struggle to find their place in the market? Have you noticed the gap between technological advancements and real-world adoption within the home goods and furnishings industry? The problem often lies in the disconnect between external funds and the genuine needs and insights of the interior design community.
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In recent years, numerous tech platforms aimed at transforming the interior design industry have fallen short, facing hurdles and limitations in scaling their ventures—names like Steelyard, Juniper Market, Faire, MyDoma, and more. This trend sheds light on a critical issue: the interior design industry's lack of familiarity with the startup and tech business model.
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At DesignNOVATION, we recognize this gap and see an opportunity to bridge it. We believe that for innovative concepts to succeed and thrive, they need both financial backing and invaluable industry expertise. That's why we're launching a pre-seed fund crafted by and for the interior design industry.
Our mission is to:
Merge the funding landscape with the tribal knowledge present within the industry. By doing so, we aim to ensure that key stakeholders—manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and the design community—have a vested interest in seeing startups through to seed or venture rounds.
Who am I? And why should I lead this effort?
Have you ever wondered why we, in the design community, often find ourselves dependent on outside innovators to meet our technology and innovation needs and standards? It's a question that's been at the core of my passion and work for many years. Hi there, I'm Joseph Haecker, and I've got one foot firmly planted in the design industry and the other firmly rooted in the startup, tech, and innovation space. This unique vantage point has driven me to explore the synergy between these two worlds and to take a step towards bridging the innovation gap within the interior design, furnishings, and home decor industry. My journey has been a diverse one. I began with a childhood dream of becoming a Disney animator, only to realize that the skills I'd acquired as an artist could set me apart in the world of business. I went on to dive into the intricacies of lighting design, honing my expertise in the field. But it was the moment I transitioned into the tech and startup arena that the spark for DesignNOVATION was truly ignited. I started to notice that our industry often looked outward for innovative solutions when we should be looking within. Why rely on external players to drive innovation in our industry when we have the creative potential, the expertise, and the passion right here in our design community? With this belief in mind, I embarked on a mission to launch an accelerator and pre-seed fund designed specifically to fuel innovation and technological advancements from within the interior design and furnishings sector. My extensive experience in the tech and startup world has taught me the ins and outs of conceptualizing, pitching, recruiting, and raising funds for startups. I wanted to channel this knowledge into platforms that foster an environment for innovation to thrive within our industry. Together, we can create an environment that rewards innovation from within. I'm calling it "DesignNOVATION." It's a movement that celebrates the genius within our community, where we lead the charge in shaping the future of interior design, furnishings, and home decor. Join me in this exciting journey of innovation and collaboration. Let's bring our industry to the forefront of technology, creativity, and innovation, because the future of design is in our hands. Welcome to DesignNOVATION.
approach is two-fold:
infusing crucial capital and providing unparalleled thought leadership. We're committed to nurturing and bringing concepts to life through funding and mentorship, enabling them to flourish in the market.
We invite you to be a part of this transformative journey and invest from within. Join us at DesignNOVATION to inspire a new wave of innovation in interior design, where the industry leads the way and the future is reimagined. Together, we'll design a better tomorrow—one innovative concept at a time.
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Our $10 Million Funding Goal.
At DesignNOVATION, our ambitious financial goal of raising $10,000,000 in commitments from industry leaders is a testament to our unwavering dedication to driving innovation within the design community. This $10 million commitment isn't just a number; it's a symbol of commitment, a stake in the ground that positions us as true players in the fast-paced world of tech and innovation. These funds will serve as the lifeblood of our mission, fueling accelerator programs in collaboration with esteemed design centers and showrooms across the nation. Through these partnerships, we aim to empower aspiring entrepreneurs, offering them the resources and mentorship they need to bring their innovative ideas to fruition. To ensure the success of our initiatives, funds will be allocated strategically. A 20% deposit from each financial commitment will be dedicated to administrative costs and operations, a crucial investment in the smooth functioning of our programs. The remaining funds will be held in pledge, ready to be deployed judiciously based on the pitch events and meetings that define our journey. Our goal is not merely to accumulate financial commitments; it's about creating a tangible impact in the design industry. We are committed to fostering a thriving ecosystem of innovation, and these funds will play a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing groundbreaking ideas that have the potential to shape the future of design. Join us in this exciting venture. Your financial commitment is more than an investment; it's a vote of confidence in the boundless potential of innovation from within the design community. Together, let's propel design into the future and drive a wave of creativity that transforms the landscape of technology and innovation. DesignNOVATION awaits, and your support will be the catalyst for our shared success.
Two Ways to Get Involved:
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