Local Companies Rise During COVID & Fires
In our monthly New Tech event on October 7, we heard from 4 companies and how they were able to navigate the challenges of COVID-19 and the CZU Lightning fires. Coincidentally, 2 of the world’s top electric vehicle technology companies are in Santa Cruz County: Zero Motorcycles and Joby Aviation.
Zero Motorcycles
In February 2020, Chris Metcalfe / VP of Marketing had scheduled the announcement of their groundbreaking new model: SR/S. The launch event was scheduled in NYC.
“We were in NYC on February 18th getting ready to launch our SR/S on the 19th,” explained Chris. “24 hours before launch, we discovered our Fleet Manager failed to send our motorcycle to the venue. Without a bike, we would have to cancel.” With more than 30 global media companies invited to the launch, failure was not an option.
“ A good team was our solution,” exclaimed Chris. “People who work hard to solve hard problems.”
The Zero team put their heads together, shook their network, and found a bike on the east coast that was delivered 4 hours before the event. The media loved it!
In March when SIP was implemented, the Zero production facility in Scotts Valley had to shut down. Thousands of bike deliveries had to be stalled. While Zero worked with city and county health officials to provide safe working conditions, Zero marketing shifted sales efforts to small items and accessories. The result was so significant that Zero’s annual sales will exceed 2019.
And there is another silver lining to COVID and wildfires. Zero used this time to ink one of the biggest deals in the “power sports” industry: a strategic partnership with Polaris. Full article HERE.
If you are looking to accelerate your career, Zero is hiring.
Joby Aviation
Joby’s mission is to save one billion people one hour per day.
As reported in August, Joby HQ in Bonny Doon was smack dab in the middle of the CZU Lightning fires, but miraculously, the fires went around their properties. We received an update from Maryam Khoshlahjeh, PhD. / Flight Physics Program Manager. While the aircraft is fully functional, it will take time to get the federal aviation approvals. Joby rev’d the design to accommodate 4 passengers and a pilot. Production will start in 2022, with initial commercial service in 2023. During March-May of COVID, Joby pivoted to create face shields for hospitals and health care workers.
In Stock
One of the problems that became increasingly apparent during COVID, was the reduction of commerce for local businesses. Amazon and online shopping sites enjoyed a huge increase in commerce because many people did not want to risk contagion. Ian McHenry CEO of In Stock decided that local businesses needed help.
“Your local stores collectively have a product catalog as vast as Amazon’s,” explained Ian. “But there is no way to search across it, and get it delivered today. In Stock solves that problem.”
In Stock imports and aggregates the stock from all partner stores, aggregates the orders, and provides drop-off. There is a $3.99 deliver fee. In many cases, compared to Amazon, local product is less expensive, more convenient, and faster delivery. More importantly, buy local supports our community. In Stock welcomes customers, partners, and career seeking persons.
EverLog Systems
Originally from Santa Cruz, Stewart Hansen CEO of EverLog Systems knew that California was prone to wildfires, earthquakes, and yes, even termites. He developed worry-free concrete logs, siding, and structural material that can withstand just about anything California can throw at it. We learned that while the cost is slightly higher than wood, the reduced maintenance within the first 4 years makes it a much better investment where in California the cost of housing is not likely to ever go down. We also learned that EverLog has created a concrete composite that is environmentally safe to build.