Lotus (Techstars'23)

https://lnkd.in/eA5vdQiT A Summer of Caring is the theme of episode 76 of What’s Next Living Longer Better Smarter. The AARP’s Amy Goyer joins Mary and Fred to chat about how caregivers can make the most of vacations with those they care for. Then…we hear about some amazing innovations in caregiving from Joe and Bella’s Jimmy Zola, Lotus Ring creator Dhaval Patel and CareYaya Founder Neal Shah. Tune in and subscribe!

I recently had a fascinating conversation with Dhaval Patel founder and CEO of Lotus (Techstars'23) on the "Pushing Forward with Alycia" disability podcast! Dhaval is dedicated to creating accessible technology, as demonstrated by his innovative smart home device. Lotus was born from extensive research and a human-centered design approach, with a mission to build technology that is useful to everyone by optimizing for disability first. LOVE this! Dhaval shares his journey with disability and how his experiences led him to develop Lotus, a wearable ring that controls home appliances with a simple point, requiring no apps or rewiring. Quote from Dhaval: "Our journey over the past year has been incredible. Each story shared, each listener impacted, and every milestone achieved has reinforced our mission to transform challenges into opportunities. Keep pushing forward and never give up." Join us for this amazing episode! 🎙️🔗 https://lnkd.in/gHQEUyMT #AssistiveTechnology #Accessibility #Tech #SmartHomes #DisabilityInclusion #HumanCenteredDesign #DisabilityPride #InclusiveDesign #UniversalDesign Natalie Shearer, MET, CPACC

Control lights while reducing fall risk! A conversation with Brian Shulman and Dhaval Patel was a great way to start the day! #getlotus #agetech #mobilityplusalpharetta #lordofthering

Oh hey, it’s one of our prototypes 👋 Being tried and tested at the Urban Tech Xchange in Detroit!

So much to celebrate at the What's Next #LongevityVentureSummit, and we are only halfway through! Lotus (Techstars'23) won the $10k Business Plan Pitch Competition! 🎉 It was an honor to share the stage with fellow (amazing!!) founders: Ryan Reid (Bream) Neal K. Shah (CareYaya) Jimmy Zollo (Joe and Bella) Shannon Bean (Parrots AI) Tracey McGillivray (RAYMEX Lift) Heading into Day 2, I'm excited to continue learning and connecting with all of the incredible folks here. Mary Furlong & Associates, What's Next Longevity Events - you've brought together a community unlike any other through this event. Grateful to be part of it!

What's next for Lotus? We'll be pitching as a finalist in the $10k Business Plan Competition at the What's Next Longevity Venture Summit this week in San Francisco! We'd love to see you there: https://lnkd.in/gvR6Y2n8 #LongevityVentureSummit #AgeTech #PitchCompetition Image Description: Headshot of Lotus founder, Dhaval Patel, against a faded landscape of San Francisco. Text reads "June 11, 2024 Fairmont San Francisco. 21st Annual $10K Business Plan Competition Finalist. https://lnkd.in/eE8_XBV”

I was asked to give a talk on #HumanCenteredDesign (HCD) at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). For the majority of folks who are interested but short on time, here's the 3-step process on how to do it: Step 1) Is this the *right* problem to solve? Not can you solve it, but should you? Test 1) Who's voices have not been heard? Who have you *not* spoken to? Once you've picked the truly important (even if not urgent) problem, Step 2) Is this the right solution for that problem? Test 2) Who is the solution being *optimized* for? Who does that leave behind? Optimizing for the "corner case" ensures the solution is *scalable*. Step 3) Are you continuing to iterate with those voices? Test 3) Have the voices had a chance to test multiple iterations of your solution? This ensures the best combination of #inclusivedesign (no one left behind) and #universaldesign (scalable). This is why Human-Centered Design is so beneficial — it allows C-level executives to pick which solutions to invest time in and investors to pick which technologies to invest money in. And most importantly - spark joy in the users who actually use these solutions. Lotus (Techstars'23).

I almost made a MASSIVE blunder yesterday. As a #founder, I’m almost always overloaded (trust me, I delegate up the wazoo 🤝) So when I got an invitation to attend Pivotal Ventures’ Founder Summit, I was… hesitant. The obvious, instinctive and gut reaction was - “say No”. Not because it wouldn’t be helpful, but “think of all the work I could finish!” On the other hand, I may learn by talking to other founders. So I took a bet. And went. . .. … I can’t tell you how glad I am that I did. And not just for the obvious - yes, as expected, talking to other founders was incredible. You get to swap both strategic and tactical notes. Your idea/strategy seems like magic to them; their idea/strategy seems like magic to you. But there was an even bigger benefit that I didn’t see coming at all - Emotional. I couldn’t put into words how HAPPY I was just meeting founders - because you commiserate. You understand each other’s challenges. You celebrate each other’s wins. You support each other’s falls. And you realize at the end of it all - You. Are. Not. Alone. What you do, matters. You, matter. It’s surprising how many of us have had the same experience, but think we’re the only one facing this feeling. I’d love to learn from you all. So if anyone’s got a similar story, do share. In the words of one of my favorites songs: here’s to my “partners in crime” 🙂 “It’s been a long day, without you my friend And I’ll tell you all about it, when I see you again.” #Lotus

What do you want to control with your Lotus Ring through point-and-click? There are no wrong answers! Video Description: A grid of four orange and white silhouette graphics of various household objects, revealed one at a time through photographs to be a stand up fan, television, and ceiling light fixture. The final graphic is a question mark that becomes an image of the Lotus Ring. #SmartTech #SmartHome #WearableTech #Hardware

Working with and learning from U.S. military service members and veterans has been one of our greatest privileges as a company.  Their stories and experiences continue to help shape our mission. Today we remember those who died while serving their country. We honor those who we won’t have the privilege of meeting. May their stories live on through loved ones and their contributions never be forgotten. #MemorialDay #Honor #Remember #Service #Military #Veteran Image Description:  An American flag draped around text “On Memorial Day, we remember”.