Startup of the Week: George Edwards of Gas-Sense
The best ideas are simple yet ingenious solutions to everyday problems, and our newest Startup of the Week is a great example. George Edwards is the founder of Gas-Sense, an innovative new technology that helps people using containers of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) keep track of when it's running low - an invention inspired by an A-level assignment and the frustration faced by campers and caravanners everywhere when they run out of gas unexpectedly. Let's find out more!
We choose one Virgin StartUp company to be featured on Virginstartup.org each week. We ask our startups of the week to deliver the ultimate elevator pitch. What would they say if they had one minute in a lift with Sir Richard Branson? Please answer the questions below, keeping each answer to five sentences max.
Ground to Floor 1 - Explain what your business does
We sell our patent-pending new technology for monitoring the level of gas in gas bottles - very important for people who cook off LPG in caravans, yachts, and at home with BBQ’s and travel cookers.
Floor 1 to 2 - Where are you based?
Between Canterbury and London, but our manufacturing is in the Midlands.
Floor 2 to 3 – What’s the business model?
Users will buy a product from one of our retailers or online, and the magnetic sensor will connect to their smartphone to allow them to monitor their bottles. However, we also have a model for large-scale industrial users. In this case we will rent them a custom-built system for monitoring several hundred bottles, which will report to a central hub and automate fuel procurement.
Floor 3 to 4 – Who are your competitors?
A number of existing large leisure industry product manufacturers have been trying to produce a reasonably priced LPG monitor for some years now, although to limited success.
Floor 4 to 5 – What’s your USP?
The products currently on the market are very expensive and often not enabled for wireless transmission. Gas-Sense provides the most sophisticated and cost effective solution on the market.
Floor 5 to 6 – Where did the idea come from?
It was an A-Level coursework project I completed at school - I was inspired by a teacher who is a caravanner.
Floor 6 to 7 – How much funding did you receive from Virgin StartUp?
£19,000
Floor 7 to 8 – How are you going to use it to grow your business?
I'm launching a Kickstarter campaign to win further funding and raise the profile of this project. The funds will also be used to help me with the final push to complete the manufacturing design requirements of the product.
Floor 8 to 9 – What’s your workspace like?
I work from home, and the In and Out club in London if I am meeting people!
Floor 9 to 10 – where will your business be in 12 month’s time?
A recognizable brand in the caravanning and yachting markets, with sales in mainland Europe and a strong network of retailers!
To find out more about Gas-Sense check out their website, or connect on Twitter and Facebook. Gas-Sense are supported by Virgin Startup delivery partner Enterprise First.