Power Hour – the right questions transformed Wellbefy’s strategy

Sharp insights from experienced leaders can make all the difference for a company in transition. When Wellbefy joined OpenTech’s Power Hour in April 2023, they faced a critical question—how should they position themselves in the market? The session challenged their assumptions, refined their message, and helped them build a stronger foundation.

A strategic shift – Wellbefy before Power Hour

Founded in 2017, Wellbefy had recently shifted from employee surveys to a broader service integrating workplace environment and employee wellness. Their goal was to encourage companies to treat these areas as a unified concept, but they weren’t sure if decision-makers saw it the same way. The key question was whether they could target a single buyer or if workplace wellness and work environment were handled separately within organisations.

Gaining new insights from experienced business leaders

Power Hour provided Wellbefy with a unique opportunity to test their idea with senior business leaders—decision-makers with real operational experience, not just advisors or investors. Until then, their main feedback had come from HR leaders. This discussion broadened their perspective, revealing how other executives viewed workplace wellness and how purchasing decisions were made.

A key insight was that workplace health and wellness are often managed separately, with different budgets, processes and decision-makers. This made it clear that Wellbefy needed to adapt how they positioned their service. By framing health and lifestyle as part of workplace environment initiatives, they found a way to make their offering more relevant to the right stakeholders.

Unlike pitching to investors, the Power Hour panel wasn’t there to judge or evaluate them—just to help. “It was a great feeling to meet a panel that wasn’t there to decide our future but simply to give us valuable input,” says Rebecca Arfwedson, co-founder. “That made the discussion much more open and constructive.”

The panel also challenged their broader business model. Some questioned whether companies were the right customers at all, suggesting they should instead target private individuals. The diversity of perspectives forced Wellbefy to reassess their approach and better define their value proposition.

One year later – lessons and growth

Since Power Hour, Wellbefy has refined its positioning and embraced AI to streamline operations. They have built structured, repeatable workflows, allowing them to focus on delivering real value to customers rather than reinventing the wheel for each client.

Understanding this has sharpened their sales approach, ensuring they reach the right companies with the right message.

Why fast growth isn’t for everyone

Like many tech companies, Wellbefy initially pursued rapid expansion and investment capital. In hindsight, they realised this focus led them in the wrong direction. Too much time was spent crafting the perfect investor pitch rather than building a sustainable, relationship-driven growth strategy.

Hiring too quickly and planning for aggressive expansion proved unrealistic for their market. Instead, they have shifted to steady, long-term growth, ensuring their business scales in a way that aligns with market demand.

Looking ahead

Today, Wellbefy is scaling at a sustainable pace and prioritising long-term partnerships. With a clearer concept and refined positioning, their focus is now on selling, building relationships, and ensuring stability.

Would they recommend Power Hour? Absolutely—especially for startups with a specific challenge to test. Honest, strategic input from business leaders offers a rare opportunity to see a business from a fresh perspective.

OpenTech Power Hour – a new perspective on your business

Wellbefy’s journey highlights the power of questioning assumptions. Power Hour provides an opportunity to gain insights from senior decision-makers who make strategic choices every day. For Wellbefy, it was a key step towards sharpening their focus and building a business designed to last.

Text: OpenTech

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