Energym: Powering the Future with Innovative Exercise Solutions
Published: 15 August 2024
Introduction
The West Midlands continues to be a vibrant hub for technological innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in the health and fitness sector. One of the most exciting and impactful companies emerging within this space is Energym. Combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to sustainability, Energym is revolutionising the way we approach fitness by developing electricity-generating exercise equipment for gyms, office spaces, and the direct-to-consumer market. This case study explores the journey of Energym, delving into its history, mission, achievements, growth, and future aspirations.
Company Overview
Energym, founded by CEO Will Flint in 2017, is dedicated to designing and developing electricity-generating exercise equipment. The company’s core belief is that technical innovation can support individuals to be more physically active while also generating sustainable and usable electricity for gyms and businesses.
Energym started with a small group of enthusiastic graduate engineers and has since evolved into an experienced team of product and technical engineers dedicated to innovation and design.
From its inception until July 2023, the company was based at the Innovation Campus in Aston before relocating to its current headquarters in Shirley, Solihull. Today, Energym has expanded significantly, now encompassing dedicated sales, marketing, and operations teams. The company is further strengthened by the expertise of Paul Richardson, former chairman of Gymshark, who serves as Energym’s executive director.
The product
Energym’s first commercial product, the RE:GEN, is an electricity-generating indoor cycling bike that transforms your workout into a source of clean energy allowing you to charge your phone, tablet, and laptop while you exercise.
A significant milestone for the company was the installation of 42 bikes at STORM Cycle Studio in Berlin. Additionally, Energym has supplied these innovative bikes for events at Bloomberg HQ in London and for PWR Hour at a TrybWorld event at Samsung KX in London, coinciding with World Environment Day. During this one-day event, corporate teams generated 4,930Wh in a competitive relay-style race, with the power donated to Greenhouse Sports, a London-based charity that provides sports coaching and mentoring to young people.
Energym is now preparing the first stock drop of the domestic version of the bike for VIP pre-order customers. These early adopters supported the product during its crowdfunding campaign while it was still in the design phase.
Awards and Accolades
Energym's innovative approach and impactful contributions have earned the company several prestigious awards and recognitions, including:
- Eco-Disruptive Partner by BUPA (2022): Part of BUPA’s future work strategy.
- West Midlands Global Growth Programme: Received advice from trade and investment experts.
- WIRED Trailblazer (October 2022): An initiative with HSBC celebrating small to medium-sized companies.
- Male Innovator of the Year (September 2021): Awarded to CEO Will Flint at the Technology Supply Chain Awards.
- Start-up of the Year (October 2021): Recognised at Birmingham Tech Week Awards.
- Business Acceleration Support: Received from Gymshark and the Serendip programme.
- KIC Climate Award (2018): Recognising innovation in sustainable technology.
Business Support and Mentorship
A significant factor in Energyms' success is their proactive utilisation of various business support resources, including:
- Grant Funding: Received from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership in 2021.
- Global Growth Programme: Part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme, receiving advice from trade and investment experts.
We spoke with Will Broad, Business Growth West Midlands Account Manager and Low Carbon/Net Zero Innovation Delivery Officer for the Birmingham & Solihull team. He shared the following insights on some of the support provided:
“As the central hub for fully funded support in the region, Business Growth West Midlands has been delighted to support Energym on their journey in recent years. Through one-to-one support and expert guidance, Energym has successfully secured grant funding from the Clean Growth Grant, provided by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership in 2021, and the UKSPF West Midlands Grant Programme in 2024. Energym has benefited from direct account management and sustainability support, as well as participating in expert-led online workshops focused on developing sustainable supply chains. The Growth Hub team looks forward to supporting Energym's continued rise as a high-potential technology company in Solihull.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Will Flint advises other business leaders to explore the different types of business support available and apply for anything relevant and useful to their company’s needs.
"Support doesn’t just have to be financial," he says. "Access to expertise, training, sales and marketing support, and networking can be invaluable. Sustainability and decarbonisation can be difficult topics to navigate, so it makes sense to tap into the resources created by the organisations and bodies that want to help you grow your business sustainably."
Future Aspirations
Energym has ambitious plans for the future. Following the successful gym installation in Berlin, the company is planning additional installations in gyms and studios across the UK and Europe. Energym also aims to expand its product range to include other types of equipment, allowing both gyms and home users to maximise their clean energy generation.
As an innovation-led company, Energym is committed to continuously pushing the technical boundaries of its designs and products. This includes supporting new product development and improving existing products. The company’s software is designed to help users maintain consistent and productive exercise regimes by utilising metrics and data to support their fitness journeys.
Energym is also expanding into the office wellbeing space with the The ECO:POD, a modular wellness area where employees can exercise and relax. The ECO:POD’s electricity-generating fitness bikes capture human power, charging portable battery units and even powering a low-carbon hot desking area.
Summary
Energym's journey from a small startup to a leader in sustainable exercise equipment is a testament to its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability, all driven by the visionary leadership of CEO Will Flint. With continued support from business growth programs, a strong vision for the future, and a dedication to pushing the boundaries of fitness technology, Energym is poised to make a significant impact on both the fitness and renewable energy industries.
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