The Founder’s Challenge
The founder of My Own Filo came to Go Vertical ICM with a big idea, and an even bigger question:
“How do I move from concept to an actual, scalable business without burning out or losing control of the product?”
As a first-time founder in the femtech space, Paulien had a clear market need, an empowering user story, and an early concept. What she lacked was a structured process to validate feasibility, align stakeholders, and secure the right product development resources.
She needed a strategy that would help her pitch not for funding, but for partnership.
The Go Vertical ICM Strategy
We enrolled My Own Filo into our Strategic Discovery, which is part of the Creation Accelerator Program, where we used deep-dive workshops and technical mapping to crystallize the business case and align the product’s purpose with an execution-ready roadmap.
Here’s what we focused on:
- User-Centered Product Framing → Positioned the product as a need-to-have solution within the femtech ecosystem, with a focus on underserved users and unmet gaps.
- Feasibility & Risk Evaluation → Assessed manufacturing constraints, material options, and safety considerations to future-proof the design.
- IP & Market Positioning Strategy → Built a credible, protectable innovation narrative tailored for B2B partnerships—not just pitch decks.
- Partnership Readiness Assets → Delivered a strategic capability deck and development timeline designed to attract manufacturer interest.
The Breakthrough
Through our structured discovery process, Paulien:
🔹 Secured a partnership with a global manufacturer who will produce and distribute the product.
🔹 Maintains full ownership of her IP and vision, with Go Vertical ICM acting as her product development & commercialization advisor.
🔹 Received ongoing mentorship from our team to align decisions across compliance, R&D, and brand execution.
The Results
✔ Major manufacturer committed to production and distribution
✔ Full strategy and technical assets developed in < 30 days
✔ Founder retained equity and gained a go-to-market ally
✔ Accelerated product path from vision to pre-commercialization
Final Thought
This case isn’t just about building a product, it’s about building a partnership-ready company.
And it’s proof that with the right discovery strategy, you can skip years of trial-and-error and move straight into aligned growth with the right partners by your side.
“You don’t need a factory to build a future, you need a strategy.”
Testimonial from Paulien:
” I firmly believe that Go Vertical is an invaluable partner for startups looking to develop a go-to-market strategy. Their commitment to innovation and customer support is truly commendable.
to reach the full testimonial, check it out here“
