AI isn’t just about tech giants and widgets; it’s increasingly becoming a foundational tool for industries you wouldn’t usually associate with high innovation. One sector that's getting a surprising facelift is facilities management (FM). As someone who has spent years bootstrapping my startups, I understand the friction between old-school operational challenges and the urgent need for modern, scalable solutions. This week, Tyten, a startup committed to revamping global FM, raised £750,000 in fresh funding to tackle this issue. Let’s explore not just what this means for Tyten and FM, but also the broader lessons for startups and founders, especially women in tech trying to make their mark.
Facilities Management: Why It Matters
From office buildings to industrial sites, FM acts as the behind-the-scenes hero ensuring environments run smoothly. Yet, most teams in this field are stuck managing enormous logistical operations with outdated tools, spreadsheets, manual logs, and labor-intensive workflows. This gap isn't just inefficient; it actively prevents FM providers from meeting modern businesses' expectations for lightning-speed service delivery. Tyten stepped in with a much-needed SaaS platform that automates workflow while offering diagnostic assistance to on-ground technicians, think quicker repairs and streamlined communication.
Here’s the incredible part: the UK FM sector alone is worth £60 billion, and globally, we're talking about $1.4 trillion. That’s an enormous market waiting to be digitized, and Tyten seems poised to ride this wave with backing from Fuel Ventures, Concrete Ventures, and more.
Lessons Female Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Tyten’s Approach
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Find Underserved Markets
FM may not sound glamorous, but the biggest opportunities often lie in sectors that have been left behind in the tech race. As entrepreneurs, especially women, our strength lies in spotting those gaps. During the early stages of CADChain, my focus wasn’t on creating something flashy, it was about solving a very specific pain related to intellectual property in design files. If investors aren’t knocking, you're probably targeting something too obvious. -
Partner with the Right Investors
Tyten didn’t just raise money; they wisely chose to work with investors who specialize in proptech and early-stage startups. This alignment brings financial resources alongside expert mentorship and market insights. As women founders, we need to ask ourselves: are we chasing funds, or strategic backup? I learned this during my participation in Yes! Delft, I’d rather have fewer funds from someone with a proven track record and relevant connections. -
Leverage Pre-existing Expertise
Tyten’s founding team knows the FM sector intimately, giving them direct insight into its challenges. Sergey Nasonov, the CTO, didn't just come up with tech-based solutions because they sounded futuristic; he built tools that technicians and help desks genuinely needed. This ties closely to how I constructed Fe/male Switch; it wasn’t an abstract concept but a direct response to the challenges I saw in pushing women into STEM fields.
A Guide for Female Entrepreneurs Entering SaaS Markets
Let me simplify the approach Tyten took and convert it into actionable steps:
Step 1: Pin down your niche. Instead of fulfilling broad needs, tackle highly specific problems. The smaller your niche initially, the more focused your resources will be.
Step 2: Assemble experts. Include technical skills alongside real-world sector knowledge in your founding team.
Step 3: Test relentlessly. Get feedback from industry players even before attempting a full-scale product rollout. Tools like Typeform or SurveyMonkey make this process doable even for cash-strapped startups.
Step 4: Build for efficiency, not perfection. Tyten is fixing key pain points rather than offering an all-encompassing FM software suite. Start small, then iterate based on results.
Step 5: Chase investors that understand your domain. Concrete Ventures deals specifically with proptech startups, they were likely sold on Tyten's fit for the FM space before anyone mentioned AI.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Skimping on real-world validation: Your solution could look good on paper, but if it doesn’t align with the workflows of your target users, it’s useless. Start conversations before writing lines of code.
- Ignoring data simplicity: Fancy dashboards are overrated. Tyten shines because its product offers digestible, actionable suggestions technicians can immediately use.
- Fundraising without clarity: Raising money can distract you from product development. Tyten’s key strength lies in their tight focus on addressing FM inefficiencies, don't dilute your pitch by trying to solve problems in unrelated areas, even if they’re trendy.
Is Europe Ready for More Female-led SaaS Startups?
The playing field for women founders here in Europe is still uneven, but there’s hope. Programs like Startup Leap and TU/e Launch are carving out opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs, and I see firsthand the changes they usher in. But instead of focusing solely on inclusivity metrics, let’s push ourselves to create startups that perform exceptionally well. Investors respond to results, and that's a goal we can all meet.
Tyten reminds us that being part of a major movement isn’t the only way to succeed, you can make just as much of an impact by improving overlooked sectors and collaborating deeply with industry insiders. Small innovations can lead to global shifts, especially in these hidden goldmine industries.
Closing Thoughts
Startups like Tyten are pulling back the curtain on legacy industries, demonstrating just how ripe they are for reinvention, not through marketing buzz but through sheer practicality. As female founders, we should take notes not just on their tech but on their brutal focus and thoughtful investor relationships. True success lies in doubling down on areas where your unique skills meet overlooked market needs. If Tyten can overhaul FM, what unexplored markets can you lead into 2024 and beyond?
Take calculated risks, study your niche deeply, and keep momentum with every incremental win. Let’s build solutions so solid that gender doesn’t even factor into the equation, only the value we bring matters.
FAQ
1. What is Tyten, and what does it do?
Tyten is an AI-powered company focused on digitizing and optimizing global facilities management (FM). Its SaaS platform features tools for intelligent workflow automation and guided diagnostic processes for technicians. Learn more about Tyten's platform
2. How much funding did Tyten raise, and who are the investors?
Tyten raised £750,000 in seed funding, co-led by Fuel Ventures and Concrete Ventures, with additional support from Antler and angel investors. Discover Tyten’s funding round details
3. Why is the facilities management sector significant?
The facilities management industry supports critical infrastructure and businesses but operates in a relatively under-digitized space. In the UK alone, this sector is worth £60 billion, while the global market valuation stands at $1.4 trillion. Explore the facilities management sector’s scope
4. How does Tyten’s product benefit facilities management operations?
Tyten’s AI-driven SaaS platform streamlines help desk workflows and provides technicians with diagnostic tools to resolve issues faster. It claims to save help desks up to 40% of working hours and ensures quicker task completion for technicians. Understand Tyten's product benefits
5. Who are Tyten’s founders, and what expertise do they bring?
Tyten was co-founded by Vladimir Pushmin (CEO), Sergey Nasonov (CTO), and Tom Petrides (CCO), who have experience in energy optimization, AI, and commercial real estate, as well as in identifying practical solutions for challenges in facilities management. Meet Tyten's founding team
6. What are the plans for the raised fund?
Most of the funding will be directed towards Tyten’s engineering and product development efforts. This includes expanding its technical team. Learn about Tyten's funding allocation
7. What market trends are influencing technology adoption in the facilities management sector?
There is increasing adoption of proptech and AI-driven solutions in traditional industries to combat labor shortages, cost pressures, and expectations for higher operational efficiencies. Explore facilities management tech trends
8. What makes Tyten stand out in the facilities management industry?
Tyten prioritizes solving specific workflow inefficiencies rather than offering a comprehensive suite, focusing on actionable and practical tech functions tailored for FM teams. Read more about Tyten's approach
9. Who are Tyten's lead investors, and why are they a good fit?
Fuel Ventures and Concrete Ventures specialize in tech and proptech startups, bringing both capital and industry-specific insight to support Tyten’s growth. Learn more about Fuel Ventures | Explore Concrete Ventures
10. Is AI often used in facilities management now?
While the FM sector has traditionally lagged behind in tech adoption, startups like Tyten are setting a precedent for using AI to modernize business and operational practices. Discover AI’s role in FM
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.