Opinions expressed by businesskinda.com contributors are their own.
Very few startups live it. And few have innovative ideas that can support transformation, create a new philosophy or set new standards. But innovations don’t have to be dramatic or breakthroughs to impact people’s lives. They can be as minor as business model changes, process changes, improved customer service, or product improvement. Innovations can be as simple as offering a new way of doing things that add value. For example, consider wheels on suitcases.
Innovation is often not about drastic changes and coming up with something big. It can be a strategy, business model, service or product that is both useful and unique. It is a product that makes a difference, promotes well-being, helps people build their strengths or solves a problem that affects many. Even small innovations can improve efficiency, quality, safety and comfort, leading to new and better experiences.
Born from innovative problem-solving and creative thinking, small innovations create alternatives and a better way of life. And they are often startups that come up with small innovations in areas such as customer service, healthcare or home furnishings. From enabling healthy lifestyles to saving unsold food, innovative startups empower people, and here are three examples of startups making a difference with innovation.
Contents
Cadence (US) — Remote Patient Monitoring
Wearable technology is increasingly used for patient monitoring, enabling healthcare providers to take action when Emergencies and patients to monitor their health. Some wearables are specifically designed to support patients with chronic conditions and delay or reduce exacerbation through real-time monitoring. Monitoring outside the clinical setting allows such vulnerable patients to avoid physical contact and access routine and preventive care.
The onset of the pandemic caused many chronic patients to avoid or delay procedures, treatments, and emergency care, leading to serious health complications. Wearables allow chronic patients to be more active in their care and proactive in seeking treatment without having to worry about going to the doctor’s office.
To help patients manage chronic conditions while reducing the need for physical contact, health technology company Cadence has designed a remote monitoring solution that collects wellness and health data and integrates that information with patients’ medical histories. Health data is used to create personalized care plans that keep patients engaged and reduce the risk of hospitalization.
Cadence’s monitoring solution is specifically designed for patients with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The platform enables patients and physicians to assess blood pressure and glucose trends, enabling better monitoring and medication titration.
Related: Keeping Innovation Flowing As Your Startup Grows
Department of Supply (US) — High Tech Shirts
The concept of high-tech clothing is relatively new, but designers and entrepreneurs are already looking for new ways to push boundaries. You’ll find garments that sense posture and movement, internet-connected shoes, and even socks that track the wearer’s height, speed, steps and distance traveled.
Smart clothing is not yet mainstream, but there are some exciting developments in the high-tech clothing world. For example, Ministry of Supply claims to have invented “simple solutions to complex problems” through high-quality fabrics that improve comfort and are produced sustainably. Using space-age fabrics, their suits absorb heat, cool the skin in hot weather, and release heat when the body cools. They also come with odor control and are machine washable, wrinkle free, stretchy and super soft.
While all of their products focus on heat management, their intelligent jacket goes one step further. Using machine learning, the Mercury jacket learns to adjust the warmth to the optimal temperature of the wearer. It monitors user preference, movement, body temperature and weather to create the perfect microclimate. Meanwhile, the added voice technology allows the user to adjust the temperature via Amazon Alexa.
Science is built into all of their products and even their supply chain. Ministry of Supply minimizes its carbon footprint and environmental impact through on-demand knitting, using recycled materials and reducing air freight. To further reduce its footprint, the brand has introduced its “4-step approach to zero”, eliminating emissions throughout the supply chain, from material sourcing and manufacturing to shipping.
Related: 4 Things Truly Innovative Startups Never Do
Too Good to Go (Denmark) — Reducing food waste
Food waste is a major problem for societies, economies and the environment. About 1.3 billion tons, or 30% of all food, is wasted or lost annually, costing more than $940 billion. Food waste is also a solvable problem, and Too Good to Go is proof of that. Launched in 2016, it has become a global marketplace for soon-to-be-expired food, connecting consumers with wholesalers, bakeries, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants through the food waste app.
More than 90,000 food stores 14 countries have joined the service since its launch, selling surplus food at a discounted price. In return, they either pay a commission for each “magic bag” sold through the app, or an annual subscription fee. Partner stores are updating the app to engage with consumers and add their unsold food items.
Customers ranging from young families to bargain-hunting students search for stores in their area and buy food through the platform. They can specify categories such as fresh vegetables or baked goods or only see stores with unsold food. Instead of individual items or portions, customers get a magic box or bag of food that is nearing its expiration date. By rescuing products that would otherwise be thrown away, Too Good to Go empowers consumers and businesses to reduce food waste.
Final Thoughts
Very few innovations are major breakthroughs or inventions that change the world. Most are improvements to existing products, processes and business models that add value to the customer experience and the marketplace. Innovations are new products and ways of working that help reduce costs, increase productivity, or improve customer service or employee retention.
Innovations with a business purpose help to improve the relationships between employees and the knowledge, skills and involvement of employees. People with a social dimension have the potential to improve the quality of life of a particular group of people. And even simple social innovations can help solve a specific problem facing society, whether it be the reduction of food waste or ineffective farming practices in poor rural communities. Whether business or social, innovation doesn’t have to be disruptive or earth-shattering. It is often small or incremental and solves today’s problems in new and better ways.
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.