Welcome back to Found!
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by James Wagoner, the co-founder and CEO of Joule Case, a startup that’s creating a cleaner alternative to diesel generators. James shared with us his journey from launching the company after the first company he and his co-founder started didn’t survive the 2008 financial crisis.
The Journey to Launching Joule Case
James Wagoner and his co-founder had a dream of starting a business that would make a positive impact on the environment. However, their first venture didn’t quite work out as planned. The company was affected by the 2008 financial crisis, which led to its demise.
After this setback, James and his co-founder decided to regroup and come up with a new idea. They began researching ways to reduce carbon emissions in various industries. This is when they stumbled upon the concept of using fuel cells to generate electricity for mobile businesses such as food trucks, RVs, and construction sites.
The Problem with Diesel Generators
Diesel generators are widely used by mobile businesses due to their convenience and reliability. However, they come with a significant environmental cost. They produce high levels of carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change. In fact, diesel generators are responsible for around 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
James and his co-founder realized that there had to be a better way to generate power for mobile businesses. This is when the idea for Joule Case was born – a cleaner alternative to diesel generators that uses fuel cells to produce electricity.
Why Equity Crowdfunding?
Joule Case decided to raise funds through equity crowdfunding instead of traditional venture capital routes. James explained why they chose this path: "We wanted to keep our ownership and control over the company, and we didn’t want to compromise on our values."
Equity crowdfunding has allowed Joule Case to maintain its independence and continue working towards its mission of reducing carbon emissions.
Building in a New Environment for Clean Tech
The clean tech industry is constantly evolving. James discussed the challenges that come with building a business in this space: "It’s not just about developing new technology, but also about changing people’s behavior and mindsets."
James emphasized the importance of innovation and staying ahead of the curve when it comes to clean tech. Joule Case has been working tirelessly to develop its fuel cell technology and reduce production costs.
Success with Equity Crowdfunding
Joule Case has seen significant success with its equity crowdfunding campaign. James shared his thoughts on what they’ve learned so far: "We’ve received an overwhelming response from investors who share our vision for a cleaner future."
The company has managed to raise a substantial amount of funds, which will help them scale their production and distribution.
Conclusion
Joule Case is revolutionizing the way mobile businesses generate power. By using fuel cells instead of diesel generators, they’re reducing carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable future.
We’re grateful to have James Wagoner on Found this week, sharing his story and insights with us. If you want to hear more stories from founders like James, be sure to subscribe to our podcast!
Links and Resources
- Joule Case: www.joulecase.com
- Equity Crowdfunding Platform: www.equitycrowdfunding.com
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About the Authors
Rebecca Szkutak is a senior writer at TechCrunch that covers venture capital trends and startups. She previously covered the same beat for Forbes and the Venture Capital Journal.
Dominic-Madori Davis is a senior venture capital and startup reporter at TechCrunch. He is based in New York City.
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