The lockdown had a devastating impact on the economy, and especially on aspiring entrepreneurs. There has been a global disruption of the supply chain. As a result, companies are closing down their branches and sending home their staff.

Despite the bleak view, there is a silver lining, even for those planning on starting a business venture. There is a shift to online shopping, e-education, telemedicine, amongst other tech trends. In this article, we examine the latest developments and what they may portend for the digital entrepreneur.

Growth of Industrial Automation

Companies are also using automation to address staff shortages and enforce social distancing protocols. According to the IFR (International Federation of Robotics), there will be 4 million robots in industries by 2022. While automated machines were to take over the world, the pandemic has accelerated the process.

There are already companies utilizing robotics for carrying goods and for cleaning tasks. Today, a self-driving car can deliver products to customers. Robots can also do work that would require personnel to be present.

Grocery Online Deliveries

One of the digital opportunities for aspiring tech enterprises is online grocery delivery. In ordinary situations, most people would occasionally shop for groceries online. However, the social distancing rules of the pandemic have changed customer’s perception sharply.

Some reports indicate that the demand for groceries online has doubled. Large companies like Walmart and Amazon are using autonomous systems. Not only does automation ensure contact-less deliveries, but it also cuts costs and boosts the bottom line.

The Rise of 5G

Despite the skepticism, we can expect 5G to roll out in the next few years in many parts of the globe. There are already more than 30 countries planning that have launched 5G services.

What is the big deal about 5G? The technology allows for faster and more reliable networks. The stability of the connection can allow multiple devices to work in real-time. 5G can, therefore, provide the data to manage deliveries and robots in the industrial plant. At a time when organizations are looking for automated solutions, the technology may prove to be indispensable.

Increase in Green Investments

There are also opportunities if you’ve been thinking of starting a business in the green industry. The sector will receive more than $45 billion as capital for sustainable enterprises from ESG investing. Even though the firm has had similar programs in the past, there is a shift towards far-reaching solutions.

In the past, the focus of sustainable business models was mainly on energy. But ESG is looking to encourage the utilization of IoT, AI, and big data. The plan is to integrate climate concerns into other industries such as manufacturing, eCommerce, and agriculture.

Technologies such as machine learning, 5G, IoT have been touted as the innovations that will drive define our future. Luckily, the rate of adoption of these technologies has been rising since lockdowns began. The best tech entrepreneur advice from experts such as Rafferty Pendery is to move fast and make the most of the digital opportunities. They can be especially useful for young entrepreneurs who are considering starting a business, especially in tech entrepreneurship.

Every year, more entrepreneurs move into the tech space, hoping to build the next big ‘thing.’ The Kauffman Foundation points out that the U.S. averages 20 companies founded per year that reach 100 million in revenue. Sadly, the tech start-up industry also has the highest failure rate at 63%.

The rapidly-shifting digital market space makes it hard for a tech entrepreneur to navigate. Start-up founders often fall for common entrepreneur mistakes that ruin the business. Here is a detailed look into four pitfalls that you may need to be wary of:

1. Scaling Pre-maturely

Potential tech entrepreneurs can, at times, get swept up in the excitement of their product or service. The founders lose sight of the bigger picture. If you find yourself spending too much cash than the essentials of your growing enterprise, you may hit some hard bumps down the road. Take time to think through each approach and validate consumer behavior towards your product or service. Success isn’t achieved overnight but through deliberate, well-planned strategies. However, you may need to be careful about taking too long to launch the ‘perfect’ product.

2. Going All Alone

It’s easy for a tech entrepreneur to hoard their business idea, often failing to ask for help. With the cut-throat competition within the tech-space, start-up founders create an unhealthy attachment to their idea. They become too rigid; wanting to prove to the world they can figure out everything on their own. Find a mentor or coach that can help you avoid costly entrepreneur mistakes. Admit that you don’t have all the experience and bring in a tech entrepreneur partner. Finding a business partner that can warn you of red flags in the business model is vital for your start-up’s success.

3. Hiring the Wrong Talent

As many as 69% of U.S. entrepreneurs start their businesses at home. While you may have to be the jack-of-all-trades for a period in your start-up, it may not be sustainable in the long run. However, you may need to be careful about the staff that you bring on-board. A survey by CB Insights shows that 23% of start-ups fail due to an inadequate team. You may feel the pressure to hire aggressively to build a team that accelerates your product launch. However, the mad rush may lead to choosing employees that do not fit the company’s culture or have the wrong skill-set. Take time to get the right talent to support your business goals and vision.

4. High Cash Burns

The Small Business Administration points out that 22.5% of all start-ups fail during their first year of operation. Eighty-two percent of these are due to poor cash flow management. Without the right business plan in place, a tech entrepreneur may struggle to bring their products to market. It may be hard to get your tech idea funded. It is even harder to channel the money to a concept that works. Align the spending of your start-up to key strategic goals to control costs during your formative years.

Bottom-Line

As a tech entrepreneur, you may need to be wary of these four common pitfalls that ruin businesses. Raffy Pendery, a successful tech entrepreneur, VC, and public speaker, is willing to hold you by the hand as you take on the entrepreneurship journey. Follow this blog for more entrepreneur tips for business success.

There are a lot of opportunities for women who want to succeed in business today — perhaps more than there ever have been before. Right now, data from Kauffman reveals that 40% of all new entrepreneurs in the United States are currently women. The number of women-owned businesses is also growing at double the rate of male-owned businesses. While this is encouraging, finding out how to start a business is still daunting for many women. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re planning your future as an entrepreneur, particularly if there aren’t as many mentors or leaders to emulate in your field.

Fortunately, there are resources available, especially if you want to become a tech entrepreneur. Technology, as an industry, is growing incredibly quickly. There are plenty of areas in which female tech entrepreneurs can grow their businesses. But because the industry is moving forward quickly, time is of the essence. With that being said, let’s explore some tips for women entrepreneurs looking into how to start a business.

1. Research Your Market

Who will you be competing with? If you’re launching a product or service, is it a totally unique idea or is it something that already exists? If you are launching a product, is it already on the market and has it been patented? These are the types of questions that you need to ask as you begin researching how to start a business. You need to do market research in order to know whether or not your concept is viable, and if it is, who will make up your target audience.

2. Make a Business Plan

It’s crucial for you to have a business plan. There are a lot of tech entrepreneur resources available to help you craft a plan after you’ve done your market research. They can help you map out how to begin and grow your business. You should have certain benchmarks in mind, as well as an end goal. Some entrepreneurs wish to run their companies for the long term, while others prefer to simply make as much money as they can by licensing or selling their businesses down the road. But your business plan is key to convincing investors that you are a good “risk” to take.

3. Source Your Funding

One of the most intimidating things to consider when exploring how to start a business is finding funding. Very few tech entrepreneurs are entirely self-funding. You may want to consider a tech entrepreneur partner, who can help you grow your business on several different levels apart from financing. You may also want to begin pitching your business model to investors, who can provide you with the money that you need in exchange for equity, royalties, or other benefits. Loans are also potential resources that should be considered strongly. Make sure that you’re ready to commit to the financial task of starting a business.

4. Choose a Location, Structure, and Name

This is really a part of starting your business’s brand. It may take you a while to stop operating out of your home and move into a store, but do you really want a store? Some businesses operate entirely online, while a brick-and-mortar approach is better for others. Consider the legal structure of your business, as this will affect what you pay in taxes and your potential liabilities. Don’t be casual about choosing a name, either. It can greatly affect your long term success.

5. Register Your Business

Registering your business really makes it official and protects your brand from the start. Keep in mind that those doing business under a name different from their own need to register their businesses with the federal government, and quite often with state governments, as well.

6. Acquire Federal and State Tax IDs

You’ll need an employer identification number in order to open a bank account and begin paying taxes. Some states will also require you to get a tax ID number for your business, as well. It’s a good idea to meet with an accountant to ensure you’re all set in this regard and that you’re operating your business legally.

7. Submit Applications For Licenses and Permits

The types of licenses and permits you’ll need will depend on the kind of tech that you’re dealing with. However, these are crucial to ensuring that your business is being operated properly.

After these steps are managed, you can open a bank account for your business. By following this process, you’ll give your business the best chances for success!