The eCommerce ecosystem is evolving so fast that it is impossible to grow without support, guidance and connections. For startups like WonderShop, which develop technology solutions aimed at optimizing the management of online stores, being part of a Wayra program has been a transformative experience.
We recently had the honor of completing the Wayra program, Telefónica’s open innovation accelerator, and of being selected as finalists in the Demo Day.
Beyond the pride that this recognition generates in us, what we really want to share are the lessons that a process like this has for any digital entrepreneur who wants to take the next step.
Participating in an accelerator is not only a springboard to visibility or investment: it is a space where the business vision is tested, the product is strengthened and, above all, the mindset to scale in a global environment is developed.
We share with you the five lessons we took away from this experience, which we believe can inspire other startups in the digital world.
Validate the idea with the eyes of experts
An entrepreneur may fall in love with his or her solution, but it is the market that dictates whether there is a real need. In an accelerator program, each proposal is subjected to the critical eye of mentors, investors and industry specialists.
For WonderShop, this meant receiving direct feedback on how our WooCommerce plugin solves a real problem: simplifying catalog and product management in a centralized and efficient way.
Hearing firsthand what agencies valued most, what questions end users had and what expansion opportunities experts detected was key to adjusting our compass and strengthening our value proposition.
Learning: the validation of an idea should never be taken for granted. Contact with experts helps to refine the approach and to detect opportunities that are not always visible from the inside.
Building a strong network is as important as having a good product
In the startup world, the product is essential, but the network of contacts can be decisive. An accelerator brings together corporations, investors, agencies and other entrepreneurs with complementary interests.
During our participation in Wayra, we discovered that these connections multiply the reach of the project. It is not only about seeking investment, but also about creating strategic alliances, accessing potential clients and, in many cases, obtaining honest feedback that allows us to grow faster.
Learning: Networking is not an add-on, but a central part of the growth strategy. Surrounding yourself with the right people can open doors that would otherwise take years to open.
The importance of a convincing pitch
At a Demo Day each startup has just a few minutes to convey the value of its project to a demanding audience. This is the golden moment to decide if interest is generated or if the opportunity is lost.
Preparing a pitch is not only about summarizing the solution, but also about conveying clarity, purpose and scalability.
At WonderShop we learned to tell our story in a way that any listener, even non-technical, could understand the problem we solve and why we do it better than others.
Learning: working on a pitch forces you to organize ideas, identify the core of the value we offer and, in short, to communicate strategically. It is an exercise that every entrepreneur should practice, even outside acceleration scenarios.
Resilience in the face of competition
An accelerator program puts dozens of startups in the same space, each with an innovative proposal. Competition is not only evident, but becomes part of the process: you compare, you learn, you improve.
Instead of seeing it as a threat, the presence of other projects pushed us to reinforce our own identity. WonderShop is not “just another plugin” : it is a solution designed to simplify the complex, to give online stores massive management tools that really make a difference.It is a solution designed to simplify the complex, to give online stores massive management tools that really make a difference.
Learning: resilience does not mean ignoring competition, but learning from it to strengthen one’s own path. The diversity of projects in a program like Wayra shows that there is room for many solutions, as long as each one knows how to differentiate itself.
Visibility: springboard for new opportunities
Being finalists in Wayra gave us a unique showcase to an ecosystem that is constantly looking for innovation in eCommerce. The visibility generated by these events goes far beyond a publication in networks: it opens conversations with potential partners, customers and even collaborators who otherwise would not get to know us.
For WonderShop, this visibility is also a commitment: to keep growing, improving our plugin and proving that startups can transform the way e-commerce works.
Learning: each visibility space should be used as a springboard, not as an end point. The important thing is to transform this visibility into alliances, clients and learning rather than to appear in the limelight. .
A road that has just begun
Beyond visibility and networking, the real wealth of Wayra was in the areas of training and mentoring.
At WonderShop, we found decisive value in the legal module, which allowed us to perfect our partnership agreement and lay solid foundations for the company’s sustainable growth.
The marketing block helped us to define more precisely the tone of our communication, the brand archetypes and the way we want to project our message in the market.
And, in parallel, the training in security and cybersecurity provided us with concrete tools to structure a protection plan aligned with current regulations and best practices in data management.
Completing the program and being finalists in the Demo Day represents an important milestone for WonderShop, but we do not see it as a point of arrival, but rather as the beginning of a stage of greater maturity.
The experience reinforces the importance of principles that transcend any accelerator: constant learning, building collaborative networks and maintaining resilience in an environment as changing as eCommerce.
With that mentality, we continue to move forward. Each step adds up, not only for our growth as a technology company, but also to contribute to the ecosystem and demonstrate that innovation in e-commerce is built with shared vision and collective commitment.