“Nothing is valid until you test it with your clients”

WeFitter helps companies save on healthcare costs and motivate users to lead a healthier lifestyle, integrating data from trackers and wearables (like Fitbit and Garmin bracelets, Google Fit and Strava platforms, etc.). Carlos Rodés, co-founder and CEO of WeFitter, explains why he wanted to be an entrepreneur and the various stages of the company.

Why did you want to be an entrepreneur?

That’s a hard question to answer. I think I wanted to be an entrepreneur because I’d like for what I do to have a positive impact on society. This is what I’m trying to do with WeFitter and, if it doesn’t work, I’ll do it through another project. And if I can earn a living on top of that… what could be better! I don’t feel comfortable working for other companies, it clips my wings and you have to depend on others above you in the hierarchy.

What is the most important strategic decision you’ve made so far?

The decision regarding the product at WeFitter: having to set aside creating an app and focus on the application programming interface (API). Now we are an API and, instead of generating value directly for the final user, we are a technological solution for other healthcare platforms that want to integrate data from trackers and motivate users with our gamification. We help them cut technology costs and allow them to focus on user experience.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

To make everything lean, meaning nothing is valid or invalid until you test it with your clients.  Do loads of tests, don’t be afraid of getting it wrong and get all the feedback you can. When people like your product, it means you have to hurry to get it to the market: you have to get it out there and get feedback from clients.

And now what? What milestones do you want to achieve in the short term?

We closed a deal with the company to continue our activity with WeFitter as an integrable API solution. I think it has a bright future and the partners will give us the technological support we need. Selling to other programmers is a totally new market for me, but I like it and I’m learning a lot.

The next adventure will probably be related to e-sports (video game competition). I’ve always liked video games and now I see an opportunity to get into the market, as it is growing loads and I can combine several things that I like (software, sports and video games).