David Wang is an ESTEEM student. In this interview, we learn about his side venture, XR General Hospital, a business aimed at repairing Boosted Board batteries. David is currently operating his venture out of the Innovation Lab.
How did you get the idea for your battery business?
I didn't, honestly. The idea found me. In many ways, I was highly unqualified to fix these batteries: I'm not an electrical engineer, nor a programmer, and fixing these batteries involved a little bit of both. For some reason, I couldn't stop fixing them once I fixed my first one.
What unmet need are you responding to?
Boosted Board riders are facing an existential threat. Our company is gone, and someone needs to be there to fix our boards whenever they break. It's a simple need, but that's all our community needs.
What solution do you offer?
The XR General Hospital is a care center for your beloved Boosted Board so you can get back on your feet and enjoy the adventures that your board can take you without worrying as much about technical failures.
Who is on your team and helping you bring this idea to life?
My team consists of myself, and the passionate XR General Hospital community that consists of other battery surgeons worldwide and other Boosted riders that want the best education on how to keep their board happy and healthy.
What is your status for funding/support/recognition for your battery business?
We're excited to be a part of the Spring 2021 Pre-Accelerator program! To date, we have fixed over 80 batteries with over $8000 of revenue.
What are the next steps for your battery business?
Scale. We're very excited to reach more riders and spread the freedom.
Do you have any other ideas you would like to pursue?
Absolutely. I'd love to make a Boosted Board Electric Surfboard/Skateboard.
How has the IDEA Center helped you to carry out your endeavor further?
I owe my entire progress to date to the IDEA Center for not only providing the Innovation Lab for me to do my repairs, but also for their support in continuing to believe in student ventures with their dollars. We have accepted grant money from the IDEA Center and we will happily put that to use to scale, knowing that the IDEA Center is on our side to see us succeed.
Originally published by at esteem.nd.edu on March 15, 2021.