TreadShare
When Erwin Germain immigrated to Summit County from France, one of the culture shocks he observed was the high traffic on I-70. After two winter seasons he was determined to pursue an environmentally- and socially-conscious solution: carpooling.
In 2017 Erwin engaged Northwest Small Business Development Center to assist with strategic planning for an app platform connecting drivers and passengers: TreadShare. Over the next few years, he received support regarding entity formation, finding a co-founder, pitching, regulations, licensing, pricing, service agreements, creating the app, marketing, and more.
The innovative app aims to promote sustainability and fight climate change by allowing noncommercial drivers to share trips they were already planning on taking. The passengers simply share the cost of the ride, with a portion continuing to fund the app. Drivers reduce their trip costs, passengers receive needed transportation at an average of 60-70% less than an Uber or taxi, roads are less congested, and – from vehicle exhaust to energy consumption – the negative environmental effects of cars on the road are lessened.
While TreadShare launched in 2019, the ride wasn’t over. In the midst of building the user base, receiving grants, and seeking further investment, the app and others like it elsewhere in the state were shut down as their efforts seemed to be ahead of laws on the books. A Summit County elected representative became an advocate for changes in the law specifically addressing the concept of carpooling. A new bipartisan effort passed in April 2021, and TreadShare relaunched later that year. Continuing its prior work, the company drove growth by developing business-to-business partnerships expanding the original vision to encompass workforce transportation support.
In 2024, Erwin worked with the SBDC for further assistance with applications to venture capital groups and a few business accelerators, and to refocus on funding. TreadShare’s business plan and pitch deck also needed updating, in addition to devising a marketing push. He’s hoping this year’s efforts will result in an almost $1M investment.
He says, “The SBDC was definitely helpful and I’m very happy with my experience now and when I first started. They identified my needs correctly and I was able to have advisors who understood my goals. Every time I speak with someone who is interested in starting their own business, I always recommend the SBDC.”
