Innovation

FreeFlow Technologies was established in 2012 by Neil MacMartin, an IBM entrepreneurial award winner. FreeFlow Technologies created a mechanical transmission system for bikes that allows the user to freewheel, whilst maintaining the smooth ride experience of the fixed wheel. The e-bikes can be serviced anywhere in the world and they also use fewer gears than their competitors, resulting in a system that is highly energy efficient. FreeFlow Technologies only sell to bike brands as its not an end consumer product.

When designing their e-bike motors, FreeFlow technologies looked at their competitors. Quickly they realised that their competitors produced their products in a manner that was not environmentally friendly or sustainable. This presented FreeFlow Technologies with an opportunity to be innovative. They focused on how to produce its product in the most sustainable way possible and they do this by carefully picking suppliers and manufacturers to ensure their product has minimal impact on the environment. This supports goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as it is a sustainable transportation system. Additionally, they try to minimize the movement of the components for the product, thereby reducing the carbon emissions associated with each product, supporting SDG 13 in this way.

FreeFlow Technologies also supports goal 3 of the SDGs: good health and well-being, which it achieves by encouraging physical activity and reducing air pollution.

Inspiration

The inspiration for the business idea for FreeFlow Technologies came from looking at what’s needed in the market. They examined what the market had to offer as well as what its competitors had to offer and they noticed that the bikes on the market were "quite clunky and quite agricultural". Hemming also stated that current e-bikes appeared "alien" and "bulky" and that they wanted to make them look like normal bikes to look more appealing. He also mentioned that most people are unaware that FreeFlow Technologies e-bikes are e-bikes due to the nature of the small transmission, which easily conceals within the frame.

FreeFlow Technologies could have created a product similar to its competitors and released it sooner, but it wanted to stand out and "create a point of difference" rather than create a "Me Too Product". He also stated that they didn’t just deliver an "innovative transmission" they also looked at the "environmental and sustainable aspect". FreeFlow Technologies made the right decision by developing a product with distinct features and capabilities. Some of these features are that the e-bikes are lightweight, efficient and have good battery life and range. This can assist the company in maintaining higher profit margins and avoiding price competition.

Overall impact

E-bikes have immediate benefits such as fewer traffic jams, increased physical activity and increased tourism, which can help to support local businesses. Furthermore, the growing use of e-bikes for exercise has long-term impacts, including improved cardiovascular health and reduced healthcare costs. Additionally, the e-bike sector generates new employment opportunities, thus mitigating unemployment rates.

This innovation has prompted a shift towards e-bike usage over cars, as it enables faster urban transportation while improving air quality. E-bikes can also aid in the reduction of urban traffic congestion, resulting in fewer emissions from idling cars and trucks which helps to reduce carbon emissions which makes it better for the environment.

FreeFlow technologies e-bike motors are designed to be long-lasting products that can be maintained and utilized for an extended duration throughout their lifetime. This further minimizes their environmental impact as their products aren’t being used and then sent to landfill. This innovative method of producing their product allows FreeFlow Technologies to have a unique selling point, being that their product is more sustainable than their competitors.

Business benefit

In 2018, FreeFlow Technologies got funding of £1.65 million from the Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund. This funding will help to launch more products and aid in the recruitment of staff.

The e-bike technology is a growing market and it will be worth more than $40.98 billion by 2030. The e-bike business is very lucrative with the development of an electric car costing less than the development of an e-bike. For example, one electric vehicle car battery can be converted into 200 e-bikes, with the 200 e-bikes collectively selling for more than the price of one car. This would result in higher revenue and profit margins for Free Flow Technologies.

By promoting sustainability and a healthy lifestyle, the e-bike transmission system will help to contribute to a positive brand image for FreeFlow Technologies. This will assist FreeFlow Technologies in attracting customers who value these values. More customers mean more revenue for the company which they can then put into developing more sustainable products.

Social and environmental benefit

The e-bike motors developed by FreeFlow Technologies provide societal benefits as they can be utilized as a form of exercise that improves health. Additionally, the e-bikes offer increased accessibility to a wider range of individuals, including the elderly and those with disabilities, by reducing physical effort and improving balance.

Electric bike motors from FreeFlow Technologies are not only good for society, but they also create a sustainable mode of transportation. FreeFlow Technologies is committed to sustainable production methods and has designed its products for longevity, minimizing the impact of its supply chain on the environment. E-bikes contribute to the decarbonization of road transportation, the reduction of air and sound pollution and the reduction of traffic jams. However, this comes with the assumption that people will switch from driving a car to riding an e-bike.

FreeFlow Technologies makes its products environmentally friendly by using less energy and fewer raw materials unlike other companies. This allows users to travel in a more efficient way. With e-bikes, pedestrians and residents on the streets no longer hear the honking of cars and the roar of their engines, accompanied by flying dust, instead the air quality is improved and the e-bikes will move through the streets with ease. E-bikes are quicker to move around in the city than any form of car or public transport.

Interview

David Hemming, Managing Director