STARTUP SPOTLIGHT: MEET PAUL COSTIGAN OF HI-TAIL
What makes a great Founder? What inspires them? What challenges them and what advice would they give to others in their position? As a leading PR agency for startups, we work with the world’s most exciting founders and in our Startup Spotlight series we share their stories.
This month we talk to Paul Costigan, co-founder and Commercial Director of Hi-tail, a unique new high visibility cycle safety wand designed to enable all road users, including HGV and PSV drivers, to see a cyclist in all conditions.
- Tell us about Hi-Tail
There are 30 million cycles in the UK and 100 million in Europe, with 45% of all new sales being e-Cycles. Yet, every week in the UK three cyclists are killed and 90 are seriously injured. Many of these fatalities and injuries are caused by motorists not seeing the cyclist when they are on the blind side or at a junction. This needs to be addressed.
That’s why we have devised Hi-tail, a unique all new cycle safety system designed to enable all road users, including HGV and PSV drivers, to see a cyclist in all conditions by using a Patented high visibility flashing safety wand extended behind and above the cyclist for extra protection.
The Hi-tail unit is fitted with a high-capacity rechargeable battery and USB charging port, and once fitted, the cradle unit stays on the cycle thanks to anti-tamper bolts. The light wand is removeable and can be taken with the rider once they leave the cycle. Extensive field testing of various prototypes has proven the device to be reliable and easy to fit on all cycles including new electric bikes.
Ten years of research and development has led to a UK and European Patent because we believe Hi-tail is potentially lifesaving and truly innovative – there is nothing like it on the market today.
- What inspired you to start the business?
My business partner Brian McIntyre was working as an engineer in Alberta Canada where he used to visit open cast coal mines. Whilst he was being driven around the working area, they would attach a high flexible flag stick to the vehicles to allow the huge mining machinery to see other, smaller, transport vehicles in their proximity. This idea of using a highly visible safety device like the ones used in high-risk mining sites, for those smaller vehicles most at risk on the road was born.
- How did you come up with the name?
The unique feature of Hi-tail is that it looks like a tail on the bike, and being the height it is, it became Hi-tail.
- What did you do before starting the business (your previous job / role)?
I was an Operation Manager for a medical device company, my background is in Environmental & Health and Safety management, then onto Operations management where I specialized in VSM, production line efficiency improvements along with people and process management.
- What has been your biggest challenge working in startups?
This is an easy two-word answer “Funding” and “sharks”
- What entrepreneur / leader or role model has inspired you the most?
Perhaps a strange answer, but my biggest inspiration is my wife. Being a very experienced solicitor, she has always offered an alternative to the many trials and tribulations in our drive to get Hi-tail to market. She recognises when I am stressed, and she is always supportive and really wants our project to be a success. She has always been my rock, although she still drives me crazy at times!!
- What’s the best advice you have ever received?
A wise man once said to be “always do what you say you are going to do” and “not all business is good business”. I reflect on this a lot.
- Looking ahead into the future, what award would you love to win?
We haven’t planned to go for any awards, yet. We just want recognition that our product does what we designed it to do, and if it just saves one life, then we are happy.
We do however have lots of amazing future expansion plans for Hi-tail including mobility scooters and electric and cargo bike versions, multi-coloured light wands for children’s cycles, a UV version with a range of UV reflective clothing, even marine applications for search, rescue and safety at sea.
- What is your favourite book?
This is going to surprise you, I was given a book to read when I was about 13 years old, called Old Malie and the boy by D R Sherman. I remember starting to read it then not being able to put it down, reading into the night and being first to finish in the class.
- What would be your anthem / song that would represent your business?
Well, it has to be Bicycle Race by Queen! After all who wouldn’t want to ride their bicycle feeling safe on the road with Hi-tail.
Check out more about some other incredible startups in our Spotlight Series, or if you are keen to work with a leading PR agency for startups, get in touch with us at info@cherishpr.com.