The global mobility industry is ripe with opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs willing to tackle long-standing challenges. Two shining examples are Lynn Greenberg, founder and CEO of Pivt, and Vivi Cahyadi Himmel, co-founder and CEO of AltoVita. Their journeys offer valuable insights for anyone considering launching their own global mobility venture.
Identify a Real Problem
Both Pivt and AltoVita were born out of personal experiences. Lynn's struggle with social integration while relocating to London, and Vivi's background living in multiple countries, led them to identify gaps in the market. Your business idea should aim to solve a genuine problem in the relocation experience.
Passion and Vision are Key
A strong "why" behind your business is crucial. As Lynn emphasizes, "You really have to have a strong why because the journey is extremely difficult." Your passion will fuel you through challenges and keep you focused on your North Star.
Build a Diverse Team
Global mobility is inherently diverse. Reflect that in your founding team and early hires. AltoVita's team speaks 21 languages and represents 18 nationalities. This diversity can be a significant strength, helping you understand and cater to a global clientele.
Be Open to Pivoting
Both companies started with slightly different models than their current offerings. Be prepared to adapt based on market feedback. Vivi shared how AltoVita initially launched as a B2C platform before pivoting to B2B when they realized corporate clients resonated more with their value proposition.
Focus on Early Adopters
Vivi stresses the importance of lining up your "early fans" - be it early adopters, clients, employees, or investors. These visionaries will co-design your product, become your ambassadors, and potentially your biggest revenue generators.
Leverage Your Unique Perspective
Don't see being "different" from the traditional industry player as a disadvantage. Lynn and Vivi's perspectives as young, female entrepreneurs allowed them to spot opportunities others missed, such as the often-neglected needs of trailing spouses.
Education is Part of the Job
Be prepared to educate the market about your innovative solution. Lynn shared how much of Pivt's work involves showing the industry why social integration matters, backed by hard data on retention and ROI.
Embrace Capital Efficiency
You don't need massive funding to start making an impact. AltoVita has been praised by investors for its capital efficiency, having achieved significant milestones with relatively modest funding.
Network and Seek Mentorship
The global mobility community is generally supportive of new ideas. Attend industry events, join associations, and don't be afraid to reach out to potential mentors. You'll be surprised how many people are willing to help.
Dream Big
Both Lynn and Vivi have audacious goals for their companies. Whether it's being "synonymous with corporate accommodation compliance, safety, and security" or ensuring social integration support is in "the palm of every relocated employee's hands," think big about how you want to transform the industry.
Starting a global mobility business is challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. As our industry continues to evolve, there's ample room for fresh ideas and approaches. So if you have a vision for improving the relocation experience, now might be the perfect time to take that leap. Who knows? Your startup could be the next AltoVita or Pivt, redefining how we approach global mobility.
You can access the complete discussion here. Thank you to both Lynn and Vivi for taking the time to share their stories with us.
Don't forget to register for our upcoming The View From The Top live show on The Importance of Benchmarking.
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