ISKN is a French technology startup that was founded in 2012. ISKN developed a revolutionary innovative technology that allows users to draw on digital tablets without the need of a stylus or other digital pen. Instead, users can use any object or even their finger to draw on the tablet's surface. This technology has been used in a variety of products, from educational interactive gaming tablets to digital sketching and drawing tablets.
BDI was instrumental in the launch of Iskn to bring their innovative technology to the market, and was an integral part in the company's success. Our expertise was utilised in developing the technology, building the company's marketing and branding, building relationships with distributors and customers, and helping to secure investments for the company.
When Iskn was first launched, the company faced a difficult challenge. The founders wanted to go into the business-to-business market and license the technology to educational institutions, partnering with Connected Digital Whiteboards, following a traditional business model of technologies out of research labs.
However, to reach the market faster, we convinced them to pivot the company into a BtoC model, in order to go fast to market and accelerate the maturation of the technology. This was a risky move, as it was a large cash-intensive demand, and it would take five to eight years to reach the market without the pivot. Due to this, the team decided to adapt the technology into a consumer electronics device, so users could write and draw with an actual pen and paper on an iPad.
To help Iskn reach their goal of entering the consumer market, we provided a range of services. This included a business model innovation, market testing, a go-to-market strategy, product design, a marketing and value proposition design, MVPs, a landing page, branding, community building, and strategic position for the company in the growing segment of sketch-noting. We also used crowdfunding as a tool to demonstrate the strong market traction for the consumer market and get the technology off the ground.
The result of our efforts was impressive. In just 30 days, Iskn was able to raise 340K€ in crowdfunding. This success convinced investors to invest in the company, which led to a round of 14M€ raised shortly after the campaign. In 2016, Iskn made a strategic partnership with Bic, and was eventually acquired by the world’s largest writing company. In the ten years since Iskn was first founded, the company went from an idea in a laboratory to a successful, fully-grown business. Our methodology was key in reducing risk and enabling amazing growth, both of which are necessary for any startup’s success.
