Elio Motors has interest from nearly 5000 potential investors

Posted By on July 8, 2015

Elio Motors issued a press release today on the crowd funding “non-binding” interest for equity in their new American start-up car company.

Troy, Mich., July 8, 2015 – Elio Motors today announced it is off to a record-setting pace for its disclosed equity crowdfunding campaign, with more than $16 million in expressed non-binding interest from nearly 5,000 potential investors in just 19 days. Elio Motors’ goal is to raise $25 million through the campaign.

Elio Motors launched the crowdfunding initiative on June 19 and has averaged nearly $1 million in expressed non-binding interest each day. Capital raised will help fund the 2016 launch of its three-wheel, enclosed vehicle that is expected to sell for $6,800 and get up to 84 MPG. The innovative funding strategy, made possible by recent changes to the 2012 JumpStart Our Business Start-up (JOBS) Act, was the perfect fit for a company that looks to innovate in every aspect of its operations.

We’re always looking for new ways to do things and crowdfunding is certainly the wave of the future for entrepreneurs, start-up organizations and investors,” said Paul Elio, founder and CEO of Elio Motors. “With so many people expressing interest in our vehicle and our company, it shows we are on the right track – both in how we have developed and marketed this vehicle and also in how we are raising the capital needed to continue our march toward production.”

Elio sees crowdfunding to raise capital for the company as a natural evolution of its grass-roots based strategy. The company has already taken nearly 45,000 reservations for a spot in line to purchase a vehicle and routinely has people lined up around the block to see the vehicle at its tour stops across the country.

The crowdfunding opportunity was made possible in March of 2015, when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enacted rules to implement Title IV of the JOBS Act, paving the way for private companies to raise up to $50 million from both accredited and non-accredited investors. This new set of rules is known as “Regulation A+.”

Elio Motors will use funds from this initiative to build an additional 25 prototypes for testing and validation. In March, the company launched an investment opportunity based on Rule 506(c) of Regulation D, which allows companies to offer shares to accredited investors. Funds from that initiative allowed Elio Motors to begin building its fifth generation prototype, the P5. The P5 will feature an engine developed by IAV specifically for the Elio and also will feature a production level transmission from Aisin.

Individuals interested in learning more about the Elio Motors investment opportunity can go to StartEngine.com – https://www.startengine.com/startup/elio-motors -, the crowdfunding website launched in June by business incubator Start Engine.

“We launched the StartEngine.com platform with companies like Elio Motors in mind,” said Ron Miller, Start Engine partner. “The quick and deep interest in Elio Motors tells us two things. One, crowdfunding is poised to become an important tool for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Two, investors are looking for ways to find companies with visionary businesses such as Elio Motors. StartEngine.com is a great way to bring them together.”

Not only have investors expressed interest in Elio Motors, potential customers have as well. Nearly 45,000 people have made reservations for spot in line to purchase a vehicle. When the Elio goes to market, it will create 1,500 jobs at its Shreveport, Louisiana facility. In addition, the Elio will use 90 percent North American content, creating another 1,500 jobs at its supplier partner companies. These manufacturing jobs will in turn create approximately 18,000 indirect jobs across the country.

 

 

What does a Bearcat or Binturong smell like?

Posted By on July 7, 2015

bearcatIt doesn’t get more #random than this as mentioned in my tweet today.

In a Wall Street Journal video interview with a Columbus Zoo “zookeeper,” one of the comments made about the the Bearcat (or Binturong) is that they have a peculiar smell – that of Doritos!
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Archive: A few almost final Farmhouse photos

Posted By on July 6, 2015

I’m archiving a couple final (or nearly final) photos from my mother and father-in-law’s Farmhouse in Western New York. I spent the last few days as “busy as a beaver” finalizing a few things so that a home inspection would be as painless as possible … that is for a home built in the 1800s! Thankfully the inspector was overly impressed with the quality of restoration and the buyer understanding that they were buying an older home. We have only a few relatively minor items to take care of — well done Dad Howard.

Actually the biggest concern that I had was for the stone foundation as the area had some torrential rains in the past couple of weeks. So much that mud ran into the barn/garage … I power washed on Sunday. Thankfully the basement was a dry as ever. Whew.

A few more hurdles and the paperwork will be ready to sign. Closing date is near … and my regular trips to Jamestown should be coming to an end (although there are still 17 acres with harvestable timber available – any interest?)

 

How do you load your dishwasher?

Posted By on July 5, 2015

More than 40% of Americans surveyed said they fight over how to load the dishwasher, according to appliance maker Bosch. (see WSJ)

-More than 70% of users choose the ‘normal’ cycle every time, even though dishwashers now have specialized settings.

-Stainless-steel pans get cleaner in the dishwasher but never wash cast-iron or nonstick pans there.

-Appliance and soap makers urge against pre-rinsing dishes. But some people insist on doing it anyway.

-For safety, point knives down. Mixing utensils in the basket avoids ‘nesting’ and gets them cleaner, but it can add several seconds in unloading time.

-Glass and plastic are usually safer on top, where water pressure and heat are less intense. New rack designs accommodate beer steins and mason jars.

-Loading flatware and large utensils into a third rack takes precision, but it frees up space below.

 

Listening to the fireworks as the sun sets on July 4, 2015

Posted By on July 4, 2015

New Sperry Topsider insoles from TheInsoleStore.com

Posted By on July 4, 2015

Once in a while when commenting online about an item that I use, someone will ask me if I tried or would like to try their product. If the cost is reasonable, or no-charge, I’m usually happy to give it a try.

insolestoresamples

A company called TheInsoleStore.com after reading one of my posts about Sperry Topsider boat and insoles asked if I would like to try out a few of their offerings. They sent me several pair and I will gladly give them a try.

Sperry Topsiders, and their generic copycats, are my favorite shoes and I’ve worn them for 40 years. I’ve used them both for “dockside” or “everyday” wear as well as on the boat “sailing.” All brands of these leather shoes have the same problem – after wearing them barefoot and getting them wet, they stink  … as my 2012 post lamented.

Enter my search for a way to either prevent them from smelling — either treat them with something or buy new shoes. Since my shoes will usually smell before I wear them out, I decided to try a different solution: insoles.

Insoles Testing:

Felt/wool insoles — To save a few dollars, the inexpensive felt insoles can toss in the wash and a few years ago purchased some from China on eBay and have been disappointed – they smell odd even before they are worn? That said, I’m giving the felt insoles from TheInsoleStore an initial try. They are soft on the foot “initially” but do tend to pack-down as they are worn. We’ll see how they do through the summer.

Foam — Another pair of insoles made from foam are in my recently restored (cough, cough) Topsiders, and I already like the foam better than the felt/wool.

Black felt — I sent a pair of black felt (charcoal inside perhaps?) to my son who has  sweatier feet than me … so we’ll see what he thinks. They have an interested bottom which stays in the shoe better than the simple felt insoles.

Supportive — I’m anxious to try a more support style insole in the Sperry’s that I keep on the boat. They are more of a “water shoe” than the leather Topsiders, but are very thin soled and uncomfortable even walking to and from the boaters lounge on the dock … so I’ll be interested to see in the new insoles help.

Leather — Finally I’m going to put a pair of the thin leather insoles in my Allen Edmonds leather dress shoes. The don’t get nearly the abuse of a barefoot boat shoe, but since Tyler from TheInsoleStore.com sent me them to try, I will.

leatherinsoles

Some advice:

  1. The first line of defense is keeping your leather shoes somewhat dry … which is not always easy around water; for that I use a waterproofer like beeswax.
  2. Don’t wear the same pair of leather shoes everyday. Rotate between a couple of pair and let them dry or air out before putting them on again.
  3. Switch insoles. As mentioned previously, I’m a fan of the SofSole brand of insoles and have purchase a couple pair at Finishline. They are a bit more expensive but do hold up well.
  4. Less effective are sprays and powders … although I did try using baking soda and putting them in the freezer (yes, in a ziplock bag).

TechFriday: No FREE Windows 10 for Parallels on the Mac yet

Posted By on July 3, 2015

NoWindows10_Parallels4iMac

So much for “considering” Windows 10 on my iMac (Parallels). And here I was thinking that upgrading a couple of Windows machines wouldn’t be as expensive as in the past … with Microsofts FREE upgrad offer and all. (Parallels is working on a solution)

upgradewindow10free

Microsoft is making Windows 10 available as free upgrade for qualified Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1 devices. It will be available starting July 29, 2015; people can reserve their free upgrade today.

You only have until July 29, 2016 to take advantage of this offer. Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device.

More info

Video: The robins have been busy this year – brood two!

Posted By on July 2, 2015

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As with baby birds in previous years, the same tree is being used by the robins … with a new nest … again. This is the second brood for this pair of robins for 2015. They do have ugly chicks … and this guy is pretty weak (watch him flop below).

Crowdfunding with StartEngine.com and ElioMotors

Posted By on July 1, 2015

Investing in startups outside of a business where I have been hands-on management has never panned out successfully for me …  so I’m not sure why I think ElioMotors will be different? In other words, treat that last statement a warning and my skepticism beyond seeing a new car company as interesting and exciting IF you are interested as an investor. Raising the capital for such a large venture is not going to be easy, but I wish Paul Elio and his team well. If I had an automotive industry background, it would sure be exciting to be on the ground floor and working 24×7 to build another facility (two ground up faculties in my past).

startengineelioinvestment

Elio Motors has partnered with StartEngine.com, a platform for crowdfunding investments. A new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ruling, Regulation A+, has made it possible for start-up companies to “test the waters” and see if there is sufficient interest from potential investors. StartEngine.com is assisting us with this effort so that we can stay in compliance with the regulation.

When you land on the Elio Motors page at StartEngine.com, you will see a lot of background on the company, but you’ll also see a button that says “Reserve your Shares.”  Clicking this button allows you to sign up and indicate how much you’d like to invest in Elio Motors. After July 31, Elio Motors will then decide how best to proceed with filing an offering statement with the SEC and once that offering statement is qualified by the SEC, Elio Motors can make a formal stock offer to interested investors.

We’ve been quite open about our need to raise money to move forward. Our most recent offering to accredited investors back in March helped us raise enough capital to begin building the P5. This was a huge step forward for the company. Funds raised from the recent Regulation A+ initiative will help us get to P6 and beyond.

It’s also an incredible opportunity for Elio fans. Not only can you reserve an Elio, you can now actually OWN A PART OF THE COMPANY! We are making history, and we hope you will come along for the ride!

To learn more about this limited time opportunity, go to both the StartEngine.com website and also view the “Alter the Course” video.

If you are interested as an investor, contact me and I’ll sent you the full email.

Leap Second: Are you ready to lose a second of your life?

Posted By on June 30, 2015

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This might be a big deal for someone doing computerized “flash trading” but for most of us it would have gone unnoticed for the bulletin. So as a service to you, be warned … you’ll probably get “one-second” less sleep tonight.
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Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog