FLUID is a learning water meter that helps consumers conserve water, save money, and better understand their water use. FLUID installs in seconds, protects the property by catching leaks, and provides valuable information on how fixtures and appliances use water in the home using a proprietary function we call “Signatures”.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you and what do you do?
I am Colin Hirdman, co-founder of FLUID and act as the CEO. I spend my time leading our company and trying to put the puzzle pieces together so we have the funding and staff to create great products.
Life is made worth living when you can help others along the way.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
Somewhat hectic. 🙂 I spend time speaking with my team, working on FLUID, looking at opportunities to expand our market share and raising capital.
Tell us something that most people don’t know about you
I truly enjoy helping other people reach their potential. Life is made worth living when you can help others along the way.
How did you come up with the idea for your product and what made you “go for it”
I own rental properties and kept encountering high water bills. I went for it because I couldn’t find a solution to my high water bill problem with my rental properties so I decided to create my own smart water meter.
What made you decide to go with crowdfunding (or venture capital)?
To test the market and get our initial production run funded.
What is the best decision you’ve ever made with your product (financial, emotional, educational) that led to the product we’re experiencing today?
To launch on Kickstarter.
Where do you see your company or your company’s focus in 1-2 years?
On both the consumer and industrial markets. Focusing on market share and creating a wonderful product people love to use and learn from.
If you could time travel back to day one of your startup and have 15min with your former self to communicate any lessons you’ve acquired with the intention of saving yourself mistakes and heartache, what would you tell yourself?
Create your prototype sooner. Test it and launch the Kickstarter campaign.
Do your homework, run your numbers, get a team around you that can help you create realistic scenarios.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and work and why?
My business partners. I’ve known them since I was 5 years old and we’ve had a profound impact on one another. We help keep each other balanced and stay true to what’s most important.
Any tips for aspiring entrepreneurs on how to facilitate a successful financing campaign?
Do your homework, run your numbers, get a team around you that can help you create realistic scenarios. Then do your best!
What do you see as the biggest advancement in your technology sector over the next 5-10 years?
Connectedness. Right now there isn’t a lot of data around water use. This will change soon. Everything is becoming more connected.
What do you see as the biggest risk in your technology sector over the next 5-10 years?
Competition. Water monitoring is gonna happen, it’s really who is going to grab the most market share.
There are no comments
Add yours