How did you come up with the idea of a different ... bike?

Pantelis, the creative core of "Elektronio", has been dealing with particularly bicycle projects, over the last five years and what has motivated him was the fact that he wanted to build personal urban mobility vehicles that would offer smiles and a comfortable ride. From the beginning, I was inspired by his vision and I, Anna, took over communicative steering of that effort. At the same time, for the last three years, these bikes have become our own means of transport in the city, we have registered thousands of kilometers, we visualized potential improvements and decided in May 2015 to share these bikes with all of you, founding "Elektronio".

How difficult is it for two young people to start something so innovative and especially in time of crisis?

Certainly it was not easy, since the “Elektronio” was our second attempt to business during the crisis. We had a similar business venture a few years ago, which ended ingloriously. However, we learned from our mistakes and we decided to try again because it was something that we especially love. Also, had not there been a crisis, we would not have geared to entrepreneurship and innovation paths. Eventually, we discovered that this is what suits us and whenever we manage to face the adversities that crop up and move onwards, it makes us stronger.

Your company, although founded only last year, is among the ten best start up enterprises in the country and has already been awarded twice in competitions for Innovation and Technology. How do you feel about it? Was it something you expected?

We are very happy and proud of these distinctions. When we started, our psychology was not at its best, so all this was a pleasant surprise, a psychological injection, an economic aid, but above all, an important business lesson. After the two distinctions of the Red it up competition by Marlboro and Pappajohn Business Plan Contest of Anatolia School of Business, followed a  further recognition with praise from bodies such as the business ka-business site, the Start up Greece Awards, the Innovation Zone Alexandria, and the Marketing Week. Our last major distinction is that we were presented with the National Energy Globe Award Greece 2016, an institution that rewards every country initiative that promote environmental sustainability and for the first time this year, it was offered to our country due to private initiative.

What is made such a bike with and how does it work?

It is a three-wheeled electric bike of a revolutionary design. The framework is made of aluminum, the seat is made of leather and the bike is dressed with PVC caps. The bike is in line with the European directive for electric bicycles, which are electrically propelled but electrically assisted. There is a sensor on the pedals perceiving movement which assists us. Assist stops when you stop pedaling or when you press the brake. Also, the user can select the degree of assistance desired. This bike belongs to the tilting trikes, ie bearing two front wheels which swivel and ulcerate simultaneously and independently. To drive it, then, this particular bike, we need balance. However, the front system locks when you wish and becomes stable, where, as in the case of traffic lights you want momentarily stop without putting your feet on the ground.

Why would someone choose a "play" bike?

Simply because it is more than a bike ... The "Play", because of the different geometry, provides a particularly comfortable driving position. The front tilting drive system makes it highly flexible and safe since we have three points of contact with the road and provides an unprecedented driving experience. The main reason, however, for one to choose, is the fact that it is a customized bike, manufactured according to the needs and wishes of each user. So we have adapted their storage space to their liking and chosen the electrical part according to daily routes and the required autonomy. In short, we have created the ideal bike for daily commuting.

 Is there any response on the part of the public?

The reactions are very enthusiastic when facing our bikes, as it is something different from what they are accustomed. And become more fervent when someone rides it because it is a unique and highly entertaining experience. It inspires a positive feedback and an enthusiasm to learn about them. We must say here that the market is not yet mature for electric bikes but we are here to familiarize them even more with the idea of electric mobility.

It is true that no your bike is not the same as another, and that you make them depending on the appetites of... the rider? What do they usually ask for?

Precisely so! Both offline, and online, we accept custom orders. The rider creates its own personalized bike, choosing the color of the frame and the seat of their choice. He also selects the engine and the battery he wishes depending on his daily routes, the autonomy he seeks and the availability of his budget. Finally, we choose the storage areas with the ability to design the lids in a unique way depicting the personal stamp of the rider. Our customers are interested in covering diverse and different needs, so some of them place more weight on the electrical part having daily routes with steep slopes to cover, others are more interested in their storage places; for instance parents asking us to carry up to two children while others, that is people with a health problems  focus on security and add some extra safety features on their bikes.

Is there any demand from abroad?

There is not yet an organized network of partners and resellers abroad. However, we have made some first tentative steps abroad, for example to Cyprus. The strategy of the company, however, is internationally orientated and this is why we are determined to work hard in the time ahead. We want to go slowly but steadily into the foreign markets.

What are your plans from now on?

Our plans include, besides going abroad, the completion of a particularly demanding project we have undertaken on behalf of a Greek company the development of which will add an additional model in our range. Also, our goal is to also finish and the unique version of "Play", the riders of which can use it all year round, regardless of the weather conditions. We want to create the foundations for sustainable individual mobility proposals that will serve a variety of consumer groups.