This post originally appeared in The Company Lab’s The Engine newsletter.
Written by Tasia Malakasis, CEO, The Company Lab (CO.LAB)
Based in Chattanooga, The Company Lab (CO.LAB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports early-stage founders across the region. We’re proud to partner with them and other Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) across the state to strengthen Tennessee’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. CO.LAB helps entrepreneurs build scalable & sustainable businesses through hands-on guidance, strategic connections, and tailored resources. If you’re exploring what it takes to run a successful pilot or want to partner with high-potential startups, CO.LAB is a great place to start!
What Makes a Great Pilot?
Hey y’all,
If there’s one question we hear often from both startups and partners, it’s this:
What makes a great pilot?
A lot of people think the hardest part is finding the right idea or building the tech. But from where we sit, the biggest difference-maker is something else entirely, it’s alignment.
When a pilot works, it’s not just because a startup built something cool. It’s because both sides agreed on the problem, the goals, and how to measure success before the work ever started.
Three Things the Best Pilots Have in Common
1. Start with the problem, not the product.
The best pilots are built around solving a specific pain point. That clarity makes it easier to define scope, set expectations, and get buy-in from decision-makers.
2. Keep it focused and measurable.
The most effective pilots are designed around clear use cases with outcomes that can be tracked. Defining what success looks like from the start helps ensure the work leads somewhere meaningful.
3. Communicate early and often.
Sounds simple, but it’s overlooked all the time. When partners and startups meet regularly, check assumptions, and stay transparent about progress, everyone learns faster and adjusts in real time.
Ready to Pilot? Let’s Talk.
At CO.LAB, we don’t just match startups with partners, we help both sides walk through the process and build toward outcomes that matter.
In addition to supporting pilots and partnerships, we also run a dedicated accelerator for sustainable mobility startups. These are companies working on the next-generation movement of people, goods, energy, and data. If you’re building in this space, it’s an opportunity worth checking out!
If you’re ready to explore new ideas, embrace innovation, and pilot with one of our incredible startups, we’re here to help make it happen.
Warm regards,
Chief Executive Officer
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