During a recent visit to Silicon Valley, it was possible to experience a stimulating environment, with innovation always present. There, success results from an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture, focused on solving complex problems through cutting-edge technology.
The greater appetite for embracing risk and the appreciation of a culture of continuous feedback that does not crucify mistakes but quickly learns from them are some of the ‘customs’ that foster innovation and sustainable growth. Whether in the Bay Area (the region encompassing the main innovation hubs in California) or anywhere else, the key differentiator lies in the ability to turn challenges into opportunities.
And of all the great lessons, which ones can be applied in Brazil? Here, I share six of them:
1) Do not be afraid to share your ideas: there is no fear that someone might claim them. Ideas are freely exchanged because people understand that the more they discuss their projects, the greater the chances of validating them, getting feedback, or even connecting with potential investors or co-founders. This process creates valuable opportunities to accelerate the development of the idea, as it brings together essential skills for its success.
2) Focus on big challenges: most people there study and work on high-impact initiatives with global reach. Ideas that can truly change or revolutionize the way things work. The mindset is ambitious, always focused on the ‘Moonshot’ — a term used to refer to grandiose ideas, almost like a ‘shot to the moon’.
3) Don’t just create a product, build an industry:Disruption often occurs when an innovative solution emerges to solve a problem or meet an existing need, transforming how we deal with that issue. Examples of this are social networks, which revolutionized how people interact, spend time, and access information, giving the public greater decision-making power. Another case is Uber, which revolutionized its sector by creating aride-sharingplatform through technology, impacting the traditional taxi model without being a transportation company.
4) Go out and understand your customer:It is still very common to see companies making decisions in their meeting rooms without first ‘going out into the street’ to understand their customers’ real needs. This does not only apply when launching a product or solution; this approach is valid for any phase or stage of a business.
In this context, it is pertinent to quote Steve Blank in his book ‘The Four Steps to the Epiphany’: ‘There are no facts inside your building, so get outside.’ Instead of creating products based on assumptions, he argues that entrepreneurs should go out and test their ideas directly in the market.
5) Do not hesitate to create solutions for other industriesMost major market transformations were originated byplayerswho do not specifically operate in the field. Apple built computers and revolutionized the music industry with the launch of the iPod and iTunes, in addition to entering the telecommunications industry with the iPhone, completely redesigning these markets.
Amazon started as an online bookstore and revolutionized global retail by expanding the e-commerce market and innovating in logistics. Years later, it entered the cloud sector with AWS. Meanwhile, Airbnb transformed hospitality by creating a platform connecting property owners to guests without building a single hotel. These examples show that focusing only on direct competitors is risky, as disruption can come from where you least expect it. Falling in love with the problems you want to solve and expanding your technical and business repertoire allows for an innovative vision to transform your sector.
6) Bet on AI, it’s the new gold rush:All the companies I visited are focused on artificial intelligence. Being physically there reinforces that the future is much closer than we imagine. In fact, it has already arrived. This was exemplified in a robotics center where it was possible to learn about various advanced robot models that will soon begin to be commercialized. In this sense, deep discussions about ethics, data protection, impact on the job market, and even human interactions will need to be frequently on the agenda.
The technology market is undergoing a new revolution, a scenario that demands constant reinvention, bold vision, and confidence in the ability to change the world. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a mindset attentive to the ongoing changes, taking an active role in this process. With knowledge and leadership, it is possible to keep up with this evolution and act as significant agents of this transformation.
