Buildify
Strategic Advisory for Direction of a Pioneering Real Estate Data Provider
Provided strategic advisory to help a real estate data provider navigate a critical B2B to B2C pivot decision, avoiding costly missteps through informed analysis.
The Challenge Ahead
Buildify, a proptech startup providing data services to real estate professionals, faced a critical strategic decision: whether to pivot from their B2B model toward direct-to-consumer (B2C) operations. This decision would fundamentally reshape the business:
- Business Model Uncertainty - The existing B2B model had traction but limited growth ceiling
- Market Validation Needed - Consumer demand for their data products was unproven
- Resource Constraints - As a startup, they couldn't afford expensive pivots that failed
- Timing Pressure - Market dynamics were shifting, requiring timely strategic decisions
- Stakeholder Alignment - Founders and investors needed consensus on direction
How I Helped
Phase 1: Strategic Assessment
I conducted a comprehensive analysis of the pivot decision:
- Evaluated current B2B business health and growth trajectory
- Assessed B2C market opportunity size and competitive dynamics
- Analyzed resource requirements for each strategic path
- Identified key assumptions that needed validation
Phase 2: Market Validation Framework
Rather than making assumptions, I designed a validation approach:
| Hypothesis | Validation Method | Success Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer demand exists | Landing page testing, user interviews | X% conversion, qualitative feedback |
| Willingness to pay | Pricing experiments, competitive analysis | Price point validation |
| Acquisition economics | Small-scale marketing tests | CAC within acceptable range |
| Product-market fit signals | Early adopter feedback loops | Engagement and retention metrics |
Phase 3: Decision Framework & Recommendations
I developed a structured decision framework that:
- Outlined clear go/no-go criteria for the B2C pivot
- Identified milestones and checkpoints for staged investment
- Created contingency plans for different scenarios
- Aligned stakeholders on the path forward
Business Impact
The strategic advisory engagement delivered:
- Avoided costly missteps through structured decision-making process
- Clear strategic direction with stakeholder alignment
- Risk mitigation through phased validation approach
- Resource optimization by focusing investment on validated opportunities
Testimonials
"Shuman understood the nuance of the industry and used that insight to shape a well-structured product strategy."
— Saath Bas, Founder & CEO, Buildify
