Safer workplaces are the goal of DIRI Safety Solutions, which is developing a system for digital risk cards based on its own experience. The company is now leaving the pilot phase with several customer agreements - and is preparing to scale up.
- Whatever the industry and product, people are needed to work, service and maintain it. We are the ones who keep people safe," says Melinda Persson, founder and CEO.
The idea for DIRI Safety Systems was born in 2019, when founder Melinda Persson stood in a flue and swept up an unknown dust with only a half mask for protection.
- No one knew what substances could be present in the dust. I thought there must be a better way to collect information on risks, especially in mobile workplaces," she says.
In 2023, 63 people died in the workplace, a dark record year. This does not include deaths due to long-term work environment-related illness from, for example, asbestos exposure. DIRI wants to change this through systematic work environment management, which also results in a more equal work environment, as everyone is given the same information.
Starting with a simple Excel sheet, Melinda began compiling risk information for different workplaces and tasks. This became the basis for DIRI Safety Solutions, which has now developed a digital platform with risk cards, where staff who come to a certain workplace for maintenance or service work can quickly access current and specific information about the risks in the work environment.
The first pilot customer appeared when DIRI was just a napkin sketch.
- SOMAS, a world leader in manufacturing and servicing valves for industry, asked: "Can we have this delivered in a year?". Then I felt: "Wow, there's a need, there's an established customer with a strong brand, let's go for it!".
After the summer of 2023 came the next major milestone. Then DIRI made its first release, where several new companies were let into the system to start testing it.
The next release is planned for this spring, when DIRI will leave the pilot phase. The company has projects with several major companies, and soon the team will sign a project agreement with a well-known global player in service and maintenance.
- Now we are in a position where it is all about selling. We have a product, we know that it works and that there is a need in the market.
Business development program focusing on GASA.
As a participant in BizMaker's business development program Forest Business Accelerator, DIRI has received a lot of support on the business side, when it comes to preparing the company for sharp business and rapid growth. For example, DIRI received help with reviewing the budget and advice on how to think about cash flow, among other things.
- We have received valuable support both in marketing and in financial matters. For us who have put a lot of focus on financing, and raised money in the meantime, it has been a good support to be able to accelerate," says Melinda Persson.
The interest in DIRI's solutions has continued to be great and in parallel with the launch, the team is working on several new modules and adaptations. Among other things, a module that will be able to collect and evaluate risks based on staff assessments and deliver a risk analysis that the company can use as a basis for its safety work. Companies with fixed workplaces have also shown interest, which opens up an even larger market.
A challenge during the journey has been to find the right expertise for the development of the platform. There, DIRI finally found the right partner. Now they see recruitment on the sales side as the next big challenge.
- We need a sharp salesperson, preferably with a background in industry or maintenance. In five years, we will take the step out into Europe. In 2027, a new framework for workplace safety will be introduced in the EU, similar to Sweden's. Then we will be ready and say: We can help you!
Contact
Melinda Persson, Founder and CEO
melinda@diri.se
