We sat down with Andy Cass, founder of Change Made Good to talk about the journey to date and plans for the future of the business.
How did you come up with the idea for the business?
I was teaching and stopped mid sentence as the breakthrough thought popped into existence, I was explaining how engineers were often ignorant of the physics of energy and it occurred that where current yacht hydro-generation is predicted by calculating the kinetic energy, that is like asking what the kinetic energy of a road is as an E.V rolls downhill, it is actually momentum, and took a mental note to ask some different questions. That lead to a large academic research project and we were away.
Why does the industry need the solution you're providing?
The best system currently available relies on a diesel range extender for safety, our system increases the safety factor for yachties and eliminates the need for the back-up. CMG is the only way to go fossil fuel free, with more range, more comfort aboard and less risk of loosing power at sea.
What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?
There is so much to learn, you see the world through a new lens and it really opens your mind. It is cool to meet so many new people and see so much hope. The start-up environment is a really positive one with people really pushing for change, solving problems and making the world a better place.
What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey?
Existing companies are run by cleaver people who have a plan and are moving towards their own goals, unfortunately incentives are misaligned so they often choose to green-wash rather than take a risk by doing things better.
Any bits of advice for entrepreneurs getting started in this space?
Shut your mouth and open your ears, work smart - not hard and beware, so many companies are predatory and are looking for start-ups in a desperate position it is easy to be seduced.
What's the plan for the future of the business? Where do you see the company in 3-5 years?
I think CMG is well placed to raise the capital it needs to go to market in the short term. The technology is ready to go but we do need to make a powerful demonstration to the industry as we are really going to shake things up. The app will be free and open-source so it should be interesting working with the major OEM’s in driveline and marine electronics to eliminate emissions industry wide.
I would really like to do an ARC with only zero emissions boats in about 2027 or so and line 100 zero emissions boats up which would mean nobody would look a diesel generators or drive engines ever again. I am also looking forward to picking up some more innovation awards it is the only time where you get to sit back and get a pat on the back for all the years of hard slog.
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