Clowak
VIT Vellore
Clowak, an ambitious startup from VIT, Vellore, started with its innovative approach to tackle the challenges faced by government and dental colleges in providing treatment in remote areas. Traditional methods like dental ambulances, while useful, have significant limitations—they often cater to only one patient at a time and come with high costs. Clowak’s Portable Dental Clinic (PDC) is set to revolutionize this model by offering a more efficient, scalable solution that can enhance both patient care and the hands-on learning experience for students.
The startup’s journey took a significant leap forward when they joined GDC’s I-NCUBATE Program. The program proved to be a game-changer for Clowak by providing essential resources and support, which enabled them to gain valuable market insights and dive deeply into customer discovery—a process that was both enlightening and challenging.
Through the program, Clowak engaged in detailed interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, including dentists, dental college staff, government officials, and even established dental startups. These conversations were eye-opening, revealing that while Clowak’s idea was innovative, there were some gaps in their initial approach. For instance, they discovered that their early adopters, like the National Oral Mission Team, were investing heavily in promotional materials but spending less on the kind of equipment that Clowak was offering. This feedback prompted Clowak to reconsider their strategy and to focus more on understanding the intricacies of the dental ecosystem.
One of the most valuable lessons Clowak learned through the I-NCUBATE Program was the importance of thorough customer discovery. It became clear that understanding the right customers and their specific needs was crucial to developing a viable solution. They learned that relying on feedback from just a few individuals wasn’t enough to validate their approach; they needed a broader perspective to truly grasp the problem and refine their solution. Additionally, gaining insight into the ecosystem, including customer size and purchasing power, was essential for tailoring their product effectively.
The feedback and insights gained through the I-NCUBATE Program are guiding Clowak as they continue to evolve and adapt their product to meet the needs of both urban and rural populations.
