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Ahead of time with Giel and Godert from Edorado
If you could have invented something yourself that has already been invented over the past 50 years, what would it be and why? Giel:
If you could have invented something that has already been invented in the past 50 years, what would it be and why?
Giel: ''The Internet. It has ensured that we can communicate and develop much faster. Innovation has taken a major leap through the internet and is bringing humanity further to global issues. The Internet has created a new generation of products such as telephones and computers. But now also for new physical mobility products, such as the electric car and fast, electric boats. You see it reflected in our product; it is completely digital.”
Godert: ''Solar panels. That is truly a game changer for our future. We have to learn to harvest energy. You do that with solar panels.”
What was the initial reaction to the business plan and who came from?
Giel: ''I first told the idea to Godert. I was living in Shanghai at the time and had just bought a speedboat myself. However, at that moment I realized that I actually thought a speedboat was a bit old-fashioned and that this should be more sustainable. But in addition to being sustainable, it is also fast, because I like to sail fast. Then I looked up Godert."
Godert: ''I wasn't immediately enthusiastic about Giel's idea. At that time I was working on electric racing cars. I am always one speed freak been, but with the link to sustainability. However, when we started discussing the idea further, I became very enthusiastic."
Giel: ''The next person we told the idea to was our first investor, Steven Schuurman. He is someone who can look ahead and immediately responded to our proposition. We had our first conversation with Steven, from then on it became very serious. He understood what we meant, both at the product level and at the enterprise level.”
What is Edorado's vision?
Giel: ''Our slogan is: Performance without a trace. So we make fast, performance boats where the experience, speed and flying on the water are very important. But without a trace, so without causing damage to nature. The combination of performance and environmentally friendly is the heart of the matter for us. This combination results in a completely new product that is better than a conventional boat in many ways."
Godert: ''The richest 10 percent, approximately 630 million people worldwide, are responsible for 52% of total CO2 emissions. At the same time, this group serves as an example in society. Role models are always stars, never average. When you talk about our mission, it is that we want to make the boat industry more sustainable. To achieve this, it is important to start in the high segment.”
Giel: ''Beats. We have noticed that there is a need in the high segment to contribute without making concessions. People want to be able to do the same thing as usual, but in a sustainable way. This is possible with today's technology."
What is the biggest milestone you have achieved with Edorado so far?
Giel: ''That was mastering flying. Developing a computer and an algorithm so that we could fly a fast and stable boat is our greatest achievement to date.”
Godert: ''This was a great moment and the road to this moment is classic for a start-up. You start it, you underestimate it, but you still fight until it works.”
What do you hope to have achieved in ten years?
Giel: ''We envision that in ten years we will be one of the major players in the new, fast and electric hydrofoil market. The boat market is gigantic, if there is a switch to electric, and for the fast category, to hydrofoils, there will be room for many companies."
If you can buy all the talents that exist in a store, which entrepreneurial talent do you think is necessary?
Giel: ''Two talents I would say. The first is being able to learn quickly in the technical field. It is normal for start-ups to make a lot of mistakes, but the point is that you learn and keep going. The second talent is to be able to create a product that fits the market. You can think of a lot and make a lot these days, but it is important that you make a product that meets the customer's needs. These two talents, the combination of technology and commercialism, are the most important qualities that Godert and I have as a team. Godert manages the technical team and I am more on the business side. This additional skill set makes us a strong team.”
Godert: “Perseverance is also important.”
Giel: ''You might even call it naivete, otherwise you would never start such a process. What we do is very unusual in the boating industry. Boats have been around for centuries, but we decided to develop a new product from scratch. We are not hindered by knowledge in the positive sense. This is a classic innovation theory; the established order cannot reinvent itself.”
What will you bring to the fair in December?
Giel: ''We are bringing a 1 to 10 scale model of our boat. A scale model, because our pre-production boat is currently still being built. The first boats for customers will be ready next year. The scale model is impressive, because it clearly shows how we created the design and what the customer can ultimately expect."
The fair focuses on craftsmanship, innovation and entrepreneurship. What do you hope the fair will bring?
Giel: ''Our target group is in the high segment. So we see a good match with our target group and the audience of MASTERS EXPO.”
Godert: ''We are very enthusiastic to introduce the public at the fair to our product. At the same time, we are a young company launching their first flagship. So we are also very curious about the feedback from visitors."
MASTERS EXPO
MASTERS EXPO is Europe's only exclusive business fair and focuses on craftsmanship, innovation and entrepreneurship. Approximately four hundred special (family) companies from almost twenty different sectors - from business to lifestyle, cars to design and watches to boats - will enter the exhibition floor from 8 to 12 December 2022 in RAI Amsterdam. Keep an eye on the website for the start of ticket sales.
