Co-Founder & Technical Lead Aug 2021 - Dec 2021

RetractEV: Smart EV Cord Management

RetractEV was my first venture into entrepreneurship, where I gained invaluable experience in product development and investor pitching. The project addressed a growing challenge in the electric vehicle ecosystem: efficient and safe management of charging cords.

Mechanical Design CAD Design UL Standards Product Development Investor Relations Market Research
Overview

The Vision

Working alongside my co-founder, we developed a smart retractable system that allowed EV owners to better manage their charging cords. The system featured incremental locking, flexible mounting options, and was designed with UL safety standards in mind. Through this project, I learned to balance technical feasibility with market demands and investor expectations.

The highlight of this project was preparing and delivering our investor pitch, which helped me develop crucial skills in business communication and strategic thinking. The experience of presenting to potential investors provided valuable insights into how to effectively communicate both technical innovations and business potential.

Investor Pitch

Successfully presented to investors

Product Innovation

Novel cord management solution

Market Research

Extensive user & market validation

Investor Pitch

Pitch Presentation

This comprehensive pitch presentation demonstrates my ability to effectively communicate both technical innovations and business potential to investors. The presentation covers our market research, product development journey, and business strategy.

Duration: 11:41 Market Analysis Product Demo Business Strategy

Target Audience

Presented to potential investors and industry experts, focusing on market opportunity and scalability.

Market Validation

Demonstrated thorough market research and user feedback that shaped our product development.

Growth Strategy

Outlined clear path to market entry and scaling plans for both residential and commercial markets.

Product Features

Key Features

%%{init: {'theme': 'dark'}}%% graph TD subgraph Core_Features Load["Loadable Design"] Lock["Incremental Locking"] Mount["Flexible Mounting"] Smart["Smart Integration"] end subgraph Benefits Cost["Cost Savings"] Safety["Enhanced Safety"] Org["Better Organization"] Future["Future-Proof"] end Load --> Cost Load --> Safety Lock --> Safety Lock --> Org Mount --> Org Smart --> Future

Loadable Design

  • Compatible with existing EV cords
  • Easy loading mechanism
  • Cost-effective solution

Smart Locking System

  • 5.9-inch increment stops
  • Secure cord positioning
  • Prevents unwanted retraction

Mounting Options

  • Wall mount for direct access
  • Ceiling mount to save space
  • 8-12ft height compatibility

Future Integration

  • HomeLink compatibility
  • Automated retraction
  • Smart home integration
Product Design

Engineering Specifications

The RetractEV design prioritizes safety, reliability, and ease of use. Our innovative split-housing design allows for easy cord loading while maintaining structural integrity. The system is engineered to handle daily use with minimal maintenance requirements.

Dimensions & Capacity

  • Housing: 12" x 12" x 6"
  • Weight: 8.5 lbs (empty)
  • Cord Capacity: Up to 25ft
  • Mounting Height: 8-12ft

Mechanical Features

  • Split-housing design
  • 5.9" increment locking
  • Dual-axis rotation
  • Quick-release mechanism

Materials

  • Powder-coated aluminum shell
  • Stainless steel components
  • High-grade polymer guides
  • UV-resistant coating

Safety Features

  • Fail-safe locking system
  • Integrated cord strain relief
  • Thermal management vents
  • Grounding compatibility
%%{init: {'theme': 'dark'}}%% graph TD subgraph Housing Shell["Aluminum Shell"] Mount["Mounting System"] Vent["Ventilation"] end subgraph Mechanism Spring["Spring Assembly"] Lock["Locking System"] Guide["Cord Guide"] end subgraph Safety Relief["Strain Relief"] Ground["Grounding"] Thermal["Thermal Management"] end Shell --> Mount Shell --> Vent Spring --> Lock Lock --> Guide Guide --> Relief Relief --> Ground Vent --> Thermal

Installation Options

Wall Mount

  • Standard wall bracket system
  • 45 degree swivel capability
  • Load-rated anchoring
  • Cable routing guides

Ceiling Mount

  • Overhead installation kit
  • 360 degree rotation base
  • Height adjustment system
  • Integrated level indicators
Market Research

Market Analysis

87%
Home Charging
of EV owners primarily charge at home
70%
Need Solution
desired better cord management
78%
Mounting Options
wanted flexible installation choices
%%{init: {'theme': 'dark'}}%% graph TD subgraph Market_Needs Home["Home Charging"] Safety["Safety Concerns"] Cost["Cost Sensitivity"] end subgraph Solution Load["Loadable Design"] Mount["Multiple Mounts"] Price["Competitive Price"] end Home --> Load Safety --> Mount Cost --> Price
Team & Research

Team

Adam Burke

Co-Founder & Business Development
  • Market research and validation
  • Business strategy
  • Investor relations
  • Product vision

Zoheb Alvi

Co-Founder & Technical Lead
  • Product development
  • UL standards research
  • Technical architecture
  • Prototype iterations

UL Standards Research

Safety Standards

  • UL 2594 - EV Supply Equipment
  • UL 62
  • NEMA Standards

Electrical Safety

  • Thermal management
  • Insulation requirements
  • Grounding specifications
%%{init: {'theme': 'dark'}}%% graph LR subgraph Team_Collaboration Adam["Adam Burke"] --> Market["Market Research"] Adam --> Business["Business Strategy"] Zoheb["Zoheb Alvi"] --> Tech["Technical Design"] Zoheb --> Standards["UL Standards"] end Market --> Product["RetractEV"] Business --> Product Tech --> Product Standards --> Product
Timeline

Project Timeline

Aug 2021

Concept & Validation

  • Market research
  • Initial concept development
  • User interviews
Sep 2021

Design & Prototyping

  • First-gen prototype
  • Mechanical design
  • Material selection
Oct 2021

Testing & Refinement

  • Stress testing
  • Heat management
  • User feedback
Nov 2021

Development & Research

  • UL standards research
  • Design optimization
  • Manufacturing planning
Nov 2021

Investor Pitch

  • Pitch preparation
  • Live investor presentation
  • Market strategy refinement
Dec 2021

Team Transition

  • Joined Prop Pillow team
  • Integration of expertise
  • Ended development to join Prop Pillow
Challenges

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge

Meeting UL standards while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Solution

Focused on mechanical compliance, utilizing customer's existing UL-certified cords.

Challenge

Heat buildup during charging cycles.

Solution

Integrated ventilation system with future cooling upgrades path.

Challenge

High tooling costs and production complexity.

Solution

Strategic partnership with Prop Pillow for manufacturing expertise.

Challenge

Breaking into a competitive market.

Solution

Leveraged Prop Pillow's distribution channels and brand recognition.

Downloads

Downloads

Investor Pitch Video

Watch our complete investor pitch presentation showcasing RetractEV's market potential, technical innovations, and business strategy. The presentation covers our journey from initial concept to working prototype.

Recorded: November 2021 Duration: 11:41 Format: MP4
Download Presentation