Stratedigm, a Silicon Valley-based disruptor in the flow cytometry landscape, has unleashed a groundbreaking framework that doesn’t just shift the needle—it obliterates the traditional scale. It’s easy to gloss over the complex world of flow cytometry, an analytical technique essential in cells and microscopic particle research. However, if you manage a lab, it’s crucial to get the nuances right, and failing to do so could cost you millions.
But for Stratedigm, it’s about more than just numbers. The company’s masterstroke, revealed in an exclusive chat with CEO Shervin Javadi, lies in an unconventional philosophy: Don’t just manufacture products—cultivate relationships. This mindset is backed by a meticulously designed, six-pronged framework that, according to Shervin, “empowers customers to honor their budgets, meet their demands, and also, critically, minimize environmental impact.”
Sound like a tall order? Not for a CEO whose vision is anything but short-term. “At Stratedigm, we believe that products should be future-proof to honor our customers and minimize our environmental impact,” says Shervin. What exactly does that mean? Stratedigm has ingeniously developed an “upgradeable approach” that allows labs to easily update both software and hardware on their existing instruments, preventing the need to shell out for a new machine when technology inevitably advances.
For years, lab managers have viewed the purchase of cutting-edge equipment as a Hobson’s choice: a perpetual trade-off between fiscal responsibility and technological relevancy. But Stratedigm’s out-of-the-box thinking transcends this false dichotomy. Shervin views cytometer purchasers not just as fleeting customers but as long-term partners. “Building a strong brand requires providing access to the latest technology without the drawbacks of rendering legacy products obsolete,” he points out. In other words, your lab’s existing Stratedigm cytometers are not going to become yesterday’s news. Rather, they are designed to adapt, evolve, and respond to cutting-edge innovations, thereby speeding up technological advancements across the industry.
Stratedigm’s framework hinges on what they call the “Six S’s”: size, scalability, sensitivity and resolution, software, security, and sustainability. Each of these core tenets tells its own intricate story.
The Tale of the Six S’s:
Size is the cornerstone, especially when labs are frequently forced to contend with spatial limitations. Stratedigm’s S1000 cytometer is compact and designed to fit into snug corners, allowing labs to optimize the work environment without compromising on performance. “When we designed the S1000 benchtop flow cytometer almost two decades ago, it was with the foresight that space was going to be a crucial factor for our customers,” Shervin elucidates.
Scalability, the second S, isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a lifeline for labs that require adaptability in a research landscape that’s constantly shifting. Stratedigm’s flow cytometry is crafted to be flexible and customized as research requirements grow. “Our customers save hundreds of thousands in capital equipment purchases by not having to swap out their entire setups as their needs change,” explains Shervin.
Sensitivity and Resolution stand as the third pillar. The S1000, a U.S.-manufactured workhorse of a cytometer, isn’t just future-proof, it’s best-in-class, ideal for applications that require high sensitivity and resolution, like dim signal analysis and microparticle detection. Shervin proudly mentions that the technology underpinning it is backed by four U.S. patents.
Software may be the most challenging of the Six S’s, according to Javadi. “We excel at creating a flexible and powerful software suite that seamlessly integrates with our hardware,” he says. But how does one strike a balance between sophistication and user-friendliness? “Our strong relationship with users and proactive feedback collection from experts and beginners alike is vital.”
Security means more than just cyber walls and firewalls; it also extends to purchase security. Stratedigm offers an industry-first, standard two-year warranty on its S1000 cytometer, a bold step based on years of reliability data from the field. “We want to ensure our customers feel secure in their investment,” says Shervin.
Finally, there’s Sustainability, a strategic imperative that doubles as a moral conviction for Stratedigm. “If we’re going to make an impact on the environment, we have to step away from the industrial-era thinking of revenue generation through product obsolescence,” Shervin opines. To translate this philosophy into action, Stratedigm is preparing to launch a program—dubbed Flowraissance—that will further extend its already robust anti-obsolescence guarantee.
With the unveiling of its latest generation of the S1000 scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year, Stratedigm isn’t just treading water; it’s making waves in the ocean of technological innovation. “We’re very excited about introducing both a revolutionary new flow cytometer with spectral analysis capabilities and an available upgrade for all our valued customers,” says an effusive Shervin Javadi.
It’s not just a future-proof strategy; it’s a future-proof philosophy. And it’s not just saving labs money; it’s revolutionizing an industry that’s been aching for a fresh, fiscally and environmentally responsible narrative. Stratedigm, it seems, has written a new playbook for flow cytometry—one that benefits not just their bottom line but also labs, researchers, and, indeed, the world.
