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Real Rider

Real Rider

Launched in February 2013, REALRIDER® is an industry-first online platform with a route recording and safety-based app for motorcyclists; the first of its kind to detect if a rider has had a crash and notify the NHS, who can send an ambulance to the rider's last known GPS location. Co founder Zoe Farrington is the key driver and CEO of the business.

REALsafe® is a premium app subscription service and the product of unique relationships and technology not easily replicable but hugely scalable into other niche but significant sectors - such as horse riding, cycling and rambling – as well as overseas markets.

The mentoring received by REALRIDER® has had a huge impact on the growth of this start-up business. Natalia Blagburn has played a critical role in nurturing Zoe from inception, right through the investment process and to launch of the business. With Natalia’s knowledge and specific interest in Internet technologies and enterprise software, she was able to provide useful insights that helped to shape the business plan and get Zoe investment-ready.

Natalia also made the introduction to a Business Angel; Pride Valley Foods founder Hossain Rezaei. Hossain spotted an opportunity in REALRIDER® and real CEO potential in Zoe. He quickly became business mentor as well as an investor/Chairman and he provides the perfect balance between providing a guiding hand and giving Zoe the scope and freedom to refine her skills and leadership qualities.

The REALRIDER® app offers safety but is also social - letting riders record and share routes, add points of interest and hazards plus find the best rides in their area recorded by other riders. So REALRIDER® is also about data. Collecting information about users, including how often, where and on what types of roads they ride; the company is in a unique position to access “live” data of huge potential value that will be readily commercialised.

With mentoring support and investment of over £600K raised to date, Zoe has lead the team to:

  • Generate a user base of 14,500 customers that is set to rocket owing to a new alliance with thebikeinsurer.com
  • Secure contracts with BMW Motorrad and Honda UK.
  • Launch a joint promotion with Michelin in May.
  • Secure a contract with RAC to provide REALrescue®  breakdown service
  • Secure a deal with Group Lloyd, a distributor of clothing and accessories into the motorcycle market.
  • Enter negotiations with the Motorcycle Industry Association to provide 70,000 units for members.
  • Enter discussions with Halfords regarding a REALsafe®  Gift Card proposition.
  • Set up a Dealer Retail Programme and launch into prominent sites across the UK.
  • Form strategic alliances with Southampton and Coventry Universities to further develop the technology using the UK’s only bike simulator facilities.

Zoe’s ambition is to exploit the motorcycle market fully and quickly in the next 6 months, positioning the business to deliver over 150,000 users in that period.  Once achieved, Zoe will lead the team into new niche, but significant, sectors including: horse riding, cycling and rambling in six monthly intervals.