DescriptionWe will choose a project related to alternative energy or water that can improve access to sufficient energy for those on limited income or provide water security for those without a dependable water supply.

This was our original goal, but as we are working together now to learn how to be entrepreneurial, we have chosen to work on a something which will originally be of benefit to people in a more developed society where we can have immediate contact with potential customers. We are now focusing on Energy - on generating energy to recharge small electronic items such as mobile phones.

Our Goals

Our foot powered design

1. Is finding a way of charging your phone or other mobile electronic device – or batteries sometimes a problem for you? (E.g. Do your devices run out sometimes when you are not near an easy way to charge them?)

2. Do you envision times when charging might be a problem for you, even if you do not normally have this problem?

3. How do you solve the problem of charging your mobile devices at the moment?

4. How expensive is it to currently charge your items in this way?

The Questionnaire

5. Would you be interested in purchasing this item? (If the answer is No, this can be recorded as well as an answer of Yes, but the rest of the questions can be abandoned – except for the last one.)

6. What would you like to use it for (what items would you like it to charge)?

7. When would it be most useful to you? Camping? Keeping as backup for emergency in the house? A primary method of charging? Other use?

8. Do you have any suggestions for a similar problem that might be more important to you – that we could look into solving?

Survey questionsWhich category below includes your age?

0%

6%

25%

6%

13%6%

44%

Age group

Less than 17 18-20 21-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60 or older

What portable electronic items do you use

regularly?

39%

7%

10%

34%

10%

Electronic goods

Mobile Phone MP3 Tablet Computer Digital camera Other

How often do you charge the electronic items?

6%

37%

13%

19%

25%

Charging frequency

Multiple times per day Once a day Once in 2 days Twice a week Once a week

Where do you charge the electronic gadgets?

67%

25%

8%

0%

Charging locations

At home At office In car Other

Would you be comfortable carrying a portable charger for your items over long

journeys?

69%

25%

6%

Portable charger

Yes No Can't say

What type of an electrical charger would you prefer?

62%13%

25%

Cost (In Euros)

Less than 100 100 - 300 More than 300

Where do you prefer purchasing your electronic goods from?

57%

0%

29%

14%

0%Purchase of goods

Internet Malls Exclusive outlets Street shops Other

How often do you exercise/ play a sport?

0%

67%

0%

33%

0%

Exercise/ Physical activity

Daily Weekly Monthly Rarely Never

Estimate of market size

Region European Union

Population 501,105,661

Gross Domestic Product per capita 30,156

Population EU (16-74) 381,843,708

% EU people buying on the Internet (16-74 years) 43%

nbr of EU Population buying on the internet 164,192,794

% population actively doing sports (15-75) 44%

% population doing sports who have an exercise bike at home 22%

Potential customers 15,893,863

Product price in euros 200

Market size in euros 3,178,772,500

Conclusions

• There is a need for charging mobile devices

• Most people would prefer something more portable (lighter and smaller) than what we have designed as they only need it when away from home due to reliable electricity (usually).

• It might be profitable.

The end