Alex Rawitz of DIMO
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Alex Rawitz (co-founder) of DIMO, which was honored in our:
- 2024 Best Tech Startups in Rhode Island
Tell us the origin story of DIMO – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
DIMO started with a pretty simple belief: car owners should be in control of their own vehicle data. My co-founders and I spent years in mobility and tech, watching how automakers and big corporations were locking people out of their own information – charging for access, reselling it without transparency, and stifling innovation. It didn’t sit right with us.
Think about your car. It’s one of the most sophisticated computers you own, but the data it generates is hidden behind walled gardens. Want to know your battery health? Improve your insurance rates based on how you actually drive? Good luck getting that data unless the automaker decides you can have it.
So we built DIMO to change that. It’s an open, user-owned connected vehicle network that gives people control over their data and lets them use it however they want – whether that’s saving money on maintenance, getting rewarded for sharing insights, or accessing better mobility services. We knew that if we built the right infrastructure, developers and businesses would follow, creating a healthier and more innovative automotive ecosystem.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
Starting any company is hard, but building something fundamentally new, something that challenges the status quo, is a different kind of challenge.
One of the biggest hurdles was convincing people that an open, decentralized mobility network was not just possible, but better. Automakers have spent decades conditioning drivers to accept their closed systems, and a lot of developers assumed they had to play by those rules. We had to prove that breaking away from that model wasn’t just idealistic, it was actually more efficient, more profitable, and better for everyone.
The other challenge was, of course, hardware. Building software is one thing, but when you’re dealing with physical devices like the DIMO LTE R1, you’re facing supply chains, manufacturing, and quality control. We made it through chip shortages, logistics headaches, and everything in between, and now we have thousands of cars connected to the network.
Through all of this, the one thing that kept us going was the community. Seeing real drivers, developers, and fleet operators join DIMO, share their experiences, and push the ecosystem forward made every challenge worth it.
What does the future hold for DIMO?
Big things. Right now, we’re focused on making DIMO the best place for vehicle owners to get value from their data, whether that’s saving on repairs, improving their resale value, or accessing better financing and insurance. But that’s just the beginning.
In the long run, we see DIMO becoming the backbone for connected mobility. More devices, more vehicle types (think motorcycles, trucks, even e-bikes), and more apps built by developers who can tap into a real-time, verifiable stream of vehicle data.
There’s also a huge opportunity in autonomy and electrification. Self-driving and EVs generate even more valuable data, and as the world moves in that direction, DIMO is positioned to be the trust layer that ensures vehicle owners and not just corporations benefit from that data.
Ultimately, we want DIMO to be as fundamental to the future of mobility as the internet is to communication. Open, user-owned, and built for everyone.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island might not be the first place people think of when they hear “tech startup hub”, but it has a lot going for it. There’s a strong sense of community there – you don’t get lost in a sea of founders like you might in bigger cities, and that means more real conversations and support.
There’s also a growing interest in mobility and sustainability, which aligns perfectly with what we’re building at DIMO. Being near Boston and New York while still having the flexibility and affordability of a smaller market is a huge advantage.
That said, there’s room to grow. More investment, more accelerators, and more attention on deep tech and Web3 would make Rhode Island an even stronger player in the startup ecosystem. But the talent and ambition are definitely there.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Two things:Â build something you truly believe in, and surround yourself with the right people.
Starting a company is a long, hard road, and if you’re just chasing a quick exit or following a trend, you’ll burn out fast. The best founders I know are the ones who deeply care about solving a real problem. That passion will get you through the tough times.
And the people? They’re everything. Your co-founders, early hires, investors, community = those are the people who will push you forward or hold you back. Be intentional about who you work with and make sure they share your vision and values.
Lastly, just start. You don’t need permission, and you don’t need everything to be perfect. Learn, iterate, and keep moving.