Founders Beta listed our CEO, Vicki Knott as listed as one of the top Female Founders to Watch for in 2022.
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I’m CEO and co-founder of CruxOCM, delivering innovative robotic industrial process automation software for industrial control room operators.
What made you decide to start your own startup?
I started my career in a pulp and paper mill to gauge how things work before engineering solutions, then moved on to train as a control room operator for a major pipeline company. During my time there, I analyzed the ways in which control operators worked and quickly realized the rigid, old school methods in place needed to be more repeatable, as well as safer. I decided I wanted to change the oil and gas industry by bringing diverse perspectives and better, safer standards to control rooms through automation. As a result, CruxOCM was born to close the loop in heavy industrial control rooms to deliver tools to control room operators that have a meaningful impact on heavy industrial operations.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
The oil and gas industry is notorious for being one of the oldest “boys clubs,” being that the industry is made up of just 15% women. I’d say I shook up the status quo by pushing for better safety standards and company values that allow workers to thrive. I recognize this industry won’t be able to make real DEI strides without a fundamental shift in culture, so have overcome this challenge by taking a wholly different approach to leadership than that of my peers.
What advice do you have to those starting a startup?
Stay focused on the customer. Don’t get distracted by investors, events and awards. Of course you will need those things but they come after the customers. Be sure to prioritize appropriately.
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We’re looking to hire software engineers, deployment engineers, product managers, and sales!
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