Let me start off by exclaiming what a fan I am of this up-and-coming startup. Not only has CEO of weBike Brad Eisenberg converted me into a passionate supporter of anything and everything bike related (believe me, he can speak to my upbeat tone whenever I'm on the phone with him), but he has also managed to convince me that weBike is the transportation solution for the future.
Just about a month ago I released an article outlining the value of weBike, a stationless model of bike sharing equipped with mobile and web technologies. Not only is it economically friendly, but it’s also the perfect way to reduce traffic congestion. The possibilities are endless for this next generation of bike sharing considering our commitment in the D.C. area to become more green friendly.
Here's how it works: When you approach a bike location, which you can find on their site, send a text message directly to weBike with the bike number you want to use and then they send you the combination to the lock attached. Carry the lock with you so that once you approach your final destination you can re-attach it to a safe stationary place. Text the final destination of your bike along with its number to weBike and they then put that location up on their site for a new user to find. No GPS is involved to support the idea of being easy and affordable. Just lock your bike anywhere and send the location. It's just that simple.
With all the benefits that traditional bike sharing companies offer, weBike stands up for the little guys, the smaller communities that don't have access to the Metropolitan area mainstream bike sharing stations. Their objective is clear and their thinking is innovative, now all they're missing to make this dream come to fruition is some good ol' fashion funding. That's where you come in.
With a little over two weeks remaining to make their goal, weBike needs your help to pursue their venture. Attempting to acquire $15K with approximately $10K to go, here are five reasons why you should help fund weBike's LaunchT Campaign:
1. The proceeds will go directly towards product development, not to fund their sweet neon skin tight biking outfits
When it comes to pledging your hard earned money to a company that has little to no proof that they will succeed, you tend to be pretty hesitant. Honestly, who wants to donate a portion of their income from long, seemingly endless hours at work, to a venture that has the potential to fail. Let me put it this way, with weBike, honesty is key. They want to outline for you exactly where your dolla' dolla' bills are going. Conveying the process to you, as potential investors, is as important to them as vital it is for you to know. So here's what they intend on doing with your pledge according to CEO Brad Eisenberg: So far we have a conceptual design of our product, but we're going to need to work with a product development firm to create finalized design and start the prototyping process. We will ultimately need $50K to $75K to fund our entire project, but this money will start the process and will get us completely through design. We may even be able to make some physical rendering of our product. With your pledge, we can take our first steps in product development and get the prototyping process going.
2. No more keys, just a high-tech electronic lock
Receive the exact same security and acceptability that a station like Capital BikeShare provides, but in a much more cost effective and accessible way. The electronic lock secures your bike with our software communication system that provides you access with a combination through text message, a simplified process, but has the same requirements necessary in order to utilize a traditional bike sharing station. The electronic lock is the final piece to the puzzle, the addition that will strengthen weBike's product, a vital component. It's like the 11 inch long wand made of holly with a phoenix feather core is to Harry, therein lies the foundation for success.
3. Forget about that pesky credit card
No longer will you need to carry a specialty card or credit card in order to access the bike of your choice, just come with your smartphone handy and weBike will do the rest. These days we all carry around our phones like they are pivotal to completing our outfits anyways.
4. Accessible to smaller communities, not just the Metropolitan hubs
The greatest barrier that prevents bike sharing from being easily accessible to all is the station. Better accessibility normally increases the price, but unlike the $50,000 usually spent on stations, weBike is affordable while also offering a very flexible model. You no longer need to locate a station to drop their bike off at, you can literally lock your bike at the exact place you need to go. This benefits both the community from a cost perspective and the user from a flexibility perspective.
5. Help out a fellow startup!
We've all been there. Acquiring the amount of money necessary to jump start a business is a difficult process, so why not help out a fellow startup in entrepreneurial spirit.
