Overcoming IoT Start-Up Obstacles With UniteGPS

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Sandra Mueller

Overcoming IoT Start-Up Obstacles With UniteGPS

On this week’s episode of Real World IoT Podcast, Chris Bunnell, CEO of UniteGPS, discusses barriers to launching an IoT start-up — and how to overcome them — with our host Ken Briodagh. Chris started UniteGPS four years ago with his three partners, who all have backgrounds in providing solutions and interest in the GPS and IoT space. Their combined experiences put them in a position to develop state-of-the-art cloud-based GPS solutions, tailor to specific industries from school safety to public transportation to custom developments.

Finding Funding

UniteGPS was originally based in Portland, Maine, but recently moved some operations to California. Chris says it was hard for UniteGPS to find success in Maine as a tech company, but they had more traction on the west coast. In the competitive start-up world, it is important to have a warrior mentality and always working to create and innovate as well as overcoming barriers that may come up. One common obstacle is funding and Chris says their company always tries to be realistic about opportunities with vendors and their potential value. They don’t put all their faith in “angel investor” or become all consumed with getting money — rather UniteGPS focuses on making their customers happy and letting them spread the word. UniteGPS is built on a team willing to donate their hours and take the “bootstrap” approach to securing funding. Borrowing a million dollars from an outside force isn’t always the answer and can come with heavy duty strings attached that remove control of the business.

Bridging The Gap

UniteGPS uses GPS-enabled devices from CalAmp that provide pings every five seconds on location, rather than the typical one minute or thirty-second devices. After finding this innovative solution, UniteGPS had to fill the gap between getting a device and ensuring the customers knew how to make it work. Customers need to invest in writing scripts for devices and testing them to overcome this technical hurdle. Chris says this is where the value in an interdisciplinary team shines through.

Learning From Experience

Chris has worked on three previous start-ups, teaching him valuable lessons as an up and coming entrepreneur. He says it is important to look beyond face value when making business decisions. Obstacles don’t have to be deal breakers if you’re crafty. He takes pride in having a committed team and being as fair, open, and transparent as possible. “Nothing is better than having the trust of your partners, and to do that, you have to share with them,” Chris says. He looks for competent partners who are willing to roll up their sleeves when the going gets rough. It is almost unfathomable where IoT is going and there are many opportunities to combine new technology with existing data, from utilities to security. Chris says have a single good idea to focus on, rather than fifty that dilute your energies. Using their GPS devices in schools, UniteGPS has improved bus routes — a solution that didn’t exist before. “It really is the wild west,” Chris says.

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