Summary:
Tiya Gordon transitioned from design to cofound It's Electric, a climate tech startup.
Secured $11.8 million in funding, including investment from Uber.
Identified buildings as a resource to power public EV chargers.
A successful pilot project demonstrated scalability and attracted investors.
Emphasizes solving corporate pain points to build partnerships.
A Career Pivot to Climate Tech
Tiya Gordon, a 45-year-old New Yorker, transitioned from a successful career in design to cofounding It's Electric, a climate tech startup. The idea emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic when she faced challenges finding accessible EV chargers in Brooklyn.
The Birth of a Startup
In 2022, Tiya launched It's Electric, focusing on scaling electric vehicle charging in densely populated cities. The company has quickly grown to a team of 10 and secured $11.8 million in funding, including investments from Uber.
Finding Simple Solutions
During the startup's inception, Tiya and her cofounder conducted research to identify barriers to deploying EV chargers in U.S. cities. They discovered that buildings could provide the necessary power for public chargers, sharing revenue with participating buildings for passive income.
Proving the Concept
After raising a $2.2 million pre-seed round in May 2023, they launched a pilot project with the New York City Economic Development Corporation. This pilot demonstrated the effectiveness of their solution, which helped attract additional investors and led to the launch of a new program by the EDC based on their work.
Winning Over Investors
Tiya's approach emphasized having receipts—real data and results from their pilot—to prove the viability of their concept. This strategy helped them secure a $6.5 million seed round in July 2024, co-led by Failup Ventures and Uber.
Building Partnerships
The partnership with Uber began serendipitously through a conversation at a conference. Tiya focused on solving Uber's challenges related to EV charging for drivers living in cities without garages, positioning It's Electric as a solution provider. This collaboration has validated the startup's approach and provided access to valuable resources and expertise.
Tiya advises aspiring founders to identify pain points of larger corporations and offer solutions rather than seeking partnerships solely for their benefit.
Key Takeaways
- Tiya pivoted from design to cofound a climate tech startup focused on EV charging.
- It's Electric secured $11.8 million in funding and has grown to a team of 10.
- The startup utilizes buildings to power public chargers, creating a win-win situation.
- A successful pilot project helped attract investors and validate their solution.
- Tiya emphasizes the importance of solving problems for larger companies to build partnerships.
Comments