Question
I am working on an EdTech idea and weeks away from MVP. The problem I am trying to solve is student and industry gap by simply connecting students with industry professionals. But LinkedIn also working on student and professional relationship and they have advantage as they are the largest professional network. How can you compete with them? They have resources, tools , team and finance. I want to be entrepreneur and academia is something my interest and working on idea for some time.
Answer
Hi. You may not appreciate it, but you probably have more advantages over enterprise competitors than you think! Focus on providing a more personalised service, be more responsive, leverage your specialist expertise and what-ever you can do to be different. Take your time and carve out your niche. Don't forget, your competitors will spend money to raise the profile of their solution which creates a wave of interest for you too. Place ads next to theirs. Create more impactful content than they do. Get exhibition space opposite their stand. Contact the bigger players and offer a complimentary service (you'll be doing them a favour!). Not everyone wants to engage with the global leaders, many people are looking for a specialist provider. Good luck!