EarlyBirds Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Accelerate Actionable Innovation

“Sometimes it takes a few meetings to understand what the customer really means.”

Kris Poria after having a hugely successful stint in the IT world identified a gap between the big companies and the startups. This gap had innovative solutions, but he felt that it needed a bridge. He saw the need for a platform that could bring together the large enterprises and the startups. To address this gap, he launched EarlyBirds with Jeff Penrose (COO of EarlyBirds). EarlyBirds is a global platform and business model that connects innovators (including startups, scaleups and mature), and independent experts to share expertise and knowledge to enable organizations to upscale quicker.

Today, EarlyBirds is helping by taking the hard work out of connecting Innovators and Early Adopters to validate solutions and challenges that will lead to a sale and resolving a business challenge. EarlyBirds helps companies by providing capability solutions within a trusted networking platform to millions of businesses around the world.

Based out of Australia, the company’s EarlyBirds Platform is the most efficient way for Innovators and Early Adopters to connect and buy innovative products and services. In the EarlyBirds Platform, they can discover, interact with and explore and learn about innovations and challenges. They can also initiate collaboration, arrange a trial or a proof of concept, and purchase a product or service. One can begin their business journey through this platform by registering on the EarlyBirds Platform as an Innovator, Early Adopter, or be a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Consultant Partner to access and interact in the EarlyBirds Platform. Registration for the platform is free, but then you must choose a suitable subscription.

In a brief interview with us, Kris Poria, the CEO and co-founder of EarlyBirds, talked to us about the leadership qualities that make a CEO successful. He also talked about his vision for EarlyBirds and the company’s brand new launch. Read on for the excerpts from the interview.

Q. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful CEO?

One, you must understand customers and the overall industry future. Two, a good project management skill as the CEO has to be able to manage multiple teams and action the strategy. Lastly, you must have great listening skills.

Q. What is your vision for EarlyBirds?

I believe that all individual and businesses are ultimately providing services to our society. Our society is going through a journey to become a machine enabled society in coming decades and therefore EarlyBirds purpose is “Engaging Society in Actionable Innovation!” Everything we do at EarlyBirds is enabling this vision with our Open Innovation Ecosystem that includes Innovators (Startups, Scaleups and Mature Organizations), Early Adopter (private and public organizations looking to solve their business and technical challenges) and Subject Matter Experts - SMEs (Domain and Industry experts). Through the platform, we connect these three parties where our SMEs deliver our specific programs (the Challenger and the Explorer) to deliver outcomes to our customers.

Q. About adaptability, how do you stay relevant to the consumer interests and needs in this high volatile market?

I am quite engaged with the customers to understand their needs and interest and attend relevant events regularly to get further insights.

Q. What is your approach to understanding the customers?

Sometimes it takes a few meetings to understand what the customer really means. It is best to be transparent and honest with the customers to not only understand them but also put forward your position. Finding win-win for both parties is the way that customers generally support.

Q. Is EarlyBirds ready with a new launch?

Yes, we are working on launching our new product line, Innovation Maps, for different industry themes. We are starting with the Cybersecurity where we would provide access to the cybersecurity innovators showcasing cybersecurity industry capability dynamically.

Q. What does the future hold for your company and its customers?

EarlyBirds is on a journey to serve its purpose of “Engaging Society in Actionable Innovation!” We have coined a framework called Edzlity (Edge and Agility) that helps organizations to become Self-Learning organizations. We will continue to keep building products and align our services to deliver these outcomes with our platform, products, and programs. Slowly, our society is going to automate most of the key human necessities, so we have a lot to play.

Q. Do you look up to any other CEOs? Why?

Every CEO is different, and everyone is on a different journey. So, I do not look up to any other CEOs.

Q. What do you think is the most memorable moment in your career?

My career has been interesting as I have worked in couple of industries as well as in different countries. Most memorable moment was when I took the decision to leave my corporate job to join EarlyBirds full-time as I decided to not to work for me but for the society to play a role where I can add the most value.

Q. If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

When dealing with a local issue, think big and how you can scale to solve such problems globally. Make products with cutting-edge technology, tools, and security. Starting a business is similar to working on a complicated project or program, so constantly think about how you can improve and align everything.

Leader’s Corner

Kris Poria, CEO and Co-Founder

Born in a humble farming community in rural India, he was juggling two businesses, a new marriage and university studies at the age of 21. His love and inquisitive nature of software saw him become a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer and leave his native country to gain international experience in Europe and America. Deciding that Australia was the best country in the world to raise a family and expand his entrepreneurial spirit, Kris first moved to Sydney where he launched a new media publication, ‘Invest in Australia’. He was back in the IT world again with some of the largest IT production companies and system integrators prior to co-founding EarlyBirds.

“Everything we do at EarlyBirds is enabling this vision with our Open Innovation Ecosystem that includes Innovators (Startups, Scaleups and Mature Organizations), Early Adopter (private and public organizations looking to solve their business and technical challenges) and Subject Matter Experts - SMEs (Domain and Industry experts).”