CLIPS
Why Data Now Beats Software in Geospatial:
How AI Broke the Classic Tech Business Model:
Market Research Reports Are a Scam:
Your Phone Is Powering a Data Gold Rush:
EPISODE
Having started his career at USGS in 1980, Joe Francica is a veteran of the geospatial industry. He has a lot of experience in publishing, for example as Editor In Chief of (the now shuttered) Directions Mazagine:
…and he has been host of On Point with Korem:
Joe’s latest venture is www.LocationIntelligence.us. In my endless search for the world’s geospatial companies, I came across his Guide to the Location Intelligence Marketplace.
It contains his global list of over 1000 such companies. What a treasure trove! Joe has of course made his own effort to segment the market:
A main takeaway of this effort is that data now trumps software in geospatial. Have a listen for more detail on this. Hint - AI, and foundation models, are inhaling as much data as can be found, and geospatial data is not immune.
In Appendix 4, the report has over 100 venture capital and private equity firms that are versed in the task of assessing viability of geospatial business ideas. A sample:
A fascinating statistic - in the decade 2015-2025, Joe estimates that these firms have put $USD10 billion into geospatial ideas!
The timing of this episode is exquisite. Just when I was starting to think about starting a business in another industry, he has got me thinking again. If others have had success, why can’t I? And why can’t you?
Thanks Joe, for inspiring us and giving us this report as an expression of a tremendously successful career.
