Certified Company Category: Impact or Sustainable Investor
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Impact Mission
FLEAT® NETWORK provides an on-demand fresh-food distribution solution that uses clean and
renewable energies to power networks of eco-friendly delivery vehicles over the “last mile.”
The company’s patented logistics technology improves efficiencies for on-demand delivery
services, providing quick access to fresh meals in the places we live, work and play. By using
intelligent mobile inventory management in real-time, a considerable improvement can be
achieved in the fresh-food supply chain between regional farmers, restaurants, and consumers.
FLEAT’s objective is to provide a mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) solution that gives consumers
easier access to meals made with the freshest possible ingredients, while allowing retailers to
expand beyond the confines of brick-and-mortar. FLEAT’s intelligent mobile storefronts allow
retailers to expand their geographical reach and increase their visual presence. FLEAT’s fully
electric service vehicles reduce power consumption, avoid carbon emissions, and minimize food
waste using real-time connectivity and machine-learned intelligence. The program allows
vendors to retain more of their profits, promote brand awareness, and maintain quality control
through the delivery process. This effectively provides a scalable, all-in-one hyperlocal
marketing and on-demand distribution solution. As an additional benefit, the program can
simplify the transportation and delivery of surplus meals that can be donated to food banks and
other charitable causes.
Leveraging Technology for the Fresh-Food Supply Chain
Time is of the essence. This is true not only of today’s hectic consumer lifestyle, but also for the
fresh-food supply chain. Fruits, vegetables and meats all start to lose their nutritional value
from the moment of harvest. Traditional distribution of fresh foods from farm to table has
proved to be costly, time consuming and inefficient. As a result of these inefficiencies, an
unacceptable amount of fresh foods are wasted, as stakeholders have come to accept high
rates of spoilage that often minimize farmer margins and drive retail prices to super premium
levels. FLEAT’s patented technology combines proprietary hardware and software to provide
intelligent mobile storefronts that can expedite fresh foods directly to the consumer. Each
mobile storefront contains a mobile inventory comprised of not just “seasonally” available
products…but daily available products, of which consumers can browse through in real-time,
purchase, and have delivered to them within minutes. With less handling over distribution and
transportation, and less time involved in food processing, preparation and the marketing and
sales process, operators can reduce the costs of fresh foods for everyone’s benefit. And with
“less time off the vine”, produce and meats will maintain a higher nutritional value that will
contribute to building healthier communities.
Online grocery sales in the U.S. are forecast to grow 20% annually through 2025, reaching $100
billion, and retailers must look to digital commerce and mobility solutions to open new
channels for future growth. However, delivery of fresh items remains a common and consistent
pain point. Third-party delivery services such as Instacart, Shipt, Grubhub, and UberEats often
come at significant cost to both retailers and consumers, and offer little to support a retailer’s
brand nor reflect their commitment to product quality and sustainability.
Operational Advantages
With the issuance of U.S. Patent 9,741,011 in August 2017 and a strategic alliance with
California-based Chanje Energy, FLEAT NETWORK has a firm grasp on the future for intelligent
delivery of fresh food and groceries using eco-friendly mobile storefronts, powered by
autonomous technologies and self-learning analytics. FLEAT’s operational advantages are
numerous:
- Electric-drive mobile storefronts produce no emissions and harness renewable energy to provide a significant cost savings over fossil-fueled vehicles.
- Patented technologies allow consumers to use their digital devices to access onboard inventories in real-time.
- The network automates sales and delivery management to maximize efficiencies, minimize errors, and reduce a vendor’s labor requirement.
- Geo-targeted promotions can be pushed to customers based on the location and heading of delivery vehicles.
With advancements in autonomous technologies and regulation, FLEAT’s intelligent mobile
storefronts will eventually become self-driving, offering additional labor cost savings and
operational efficiencies.
FLEAT’s Connected Delivery Vehicle (CDV) is offered as a fully electric, zero-emission modified
panel van designed from the ground up to support the specific needs of a vendor’s operations.
FLEAT NETWORK, LLC a Dagda Certified Impact Company
With a 6000 lb. payload capacity, energy efficient prep equipment, and network delivery
guidance, the CDV provides an effective delivery solution while helping vendors reach their
sustainability goals. The CDV’s electric motors have significantly fewer moving parts than fossil
fuel engines, resulting in 70% lower maintenance costs. And with an estimated 50 MPG
equivalent, operators will save an average of 70% in fuel costs.
Business Model
As a mobility-as-a-service business solution (MaaS), FLEAT allows retailers to expand and
mobilize their current operation through a simple lease payment on each mobile storefront
they operate. Compared to opening new brick-and-mortar locations, mobile expansion is a
fraction of the cost. For customers, convenience and a higher quality of delivered goods are the
obvious advantages.
FLEAT generates revenue through multiple streams:
- Modified mobile storefronts are sold to leasing companies, which are then leased to participating vendors.
- Consumers are charged a small delivery fee for each completed transaction.
- Vendors are charged nominal fees for electronic payment transactions and settlements.
- Revenues are generated by the assembly and installation of service ports, which support a vendor’s mobile storefront operation.
Future revenue streams may include SaaS applications, delivery-only restaurant support, and
data aggregation.
Investment Opportunity
The company seeks to raise up to one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000)
through private equity funding in order to:
- Further develop its software and on-demand delivery platform.
- Establish a vehicle modification center in Orlando, Florida.
- Hire the required workforce for initial operations.
- Produce up to six modified delivery vehicles using the company’s proprietary technologies, and initiate a pilot
program with select vendors in the fresh-food delivery and convenience industries.
The Team
FLEAT’s founding team is uniquely qualified to design and modify highly-customized, line-
produced delivery vehicles, as well as launch complex networks of advanced software
applications. The team’s combined experience is reflected in previous endeavors spanning
industrial design, supply chain management, mass production, software design and integration,
franchise development, and enterprise management.
Patrick Fore – Chief Executive Officer Patrick Fore is a food service professional with
executive level leadership, site development and management experience. Over a twelve
year span as Director of Development, he is credited with growing a fresh casual restaurant
chain from 5 to 130+ units. His primary responsibilities were to guide real estate acquisition
and oversee strategic development for overall brand saturation nationwide. As the Chair of
the Real Estate Steering Committee, his focus points included directing outside legal
counsel, project management for unit development, franchisee program development, and
on-budget delivery of new restaurants year over year. Mr. Fore’s understanding of the
latest methods used to analyse big data make him an expert at project management. He has
been noted for his interpersonal abilities, his desire to elevate the performance of those
around him, and his positive attitude that makes him a significant asset to growing
corporate culture and profitability.
Jimi Beach – President; Chief Development Officer James Beach Drummond aka “Jimi
Beach” is the inventor of the patented on-demand technology that forms the basis of the
FLEAT platform. As an industrial designer and lifelong entrepreneur, Jimi launched Buffalo
Research and Development in 2012 as a concept-to-market product development company
based in Orlando, Florida. In addition to designing innovative products for the tech market,
Mr. Beach has successfully launched and sold companies – primarily using his patented
inventions – in various fields such as: life safety devices, distilled spirits, designer decor, and
within the entertainment industry. He is hands-on in every aspect of the design/build
process and has scaled several supply chain and manufacturing programs both domestically
and in factories throughout Asia and Europe. He has been noted as “an energetic global
brand developer with a track record of success in building significant brand equities focused
primarily on high design and usability”. He is twice a winner of the Design of the Times
award, the highest acknowledgement from the Path to Purchase Institute, a global
association recognizing excellence in communication between retailers and brands. This is
in addition to achieving other top industry awards for product design, merchandising, and
inventive marketing programs. In recognition of his achievements in various industries, Jimi
has been featured on CNBC’s The Big Idea, has mentored participants for ABC’s Shark Tank,
and has been quoted as a millennial marketing specialist in the New York Times,
Brandweek, BizBash, and Packaging Design Magazine, among others.
Jonathan Owen – Chief Technology Officer Jonathan Owen is the chief architect of the
FLEAT software platform. Over the last 12 years his focus has been leading several teams in
the development of cutting edge technology solutions in the gaming and internet security
markets. As chief architect, he has designed and implemented various high volume
transactional and communication gateway platforms conforming to PCI level one
compliance with the highest security standards. This includes highly transactional wagering
platforms that focus on strict identity techniques to reduce or eliminate fraud. Jonathan is
also credited as an award-winning producer on several national TV series, focused primarily
on outdoor lifestyles and recreational sports. His production specialties include dynamic
video advertisements, full range commercial production, corporate messaging and product
marketing. Jonathan’s leadership role as an entrepreneur across multiple disciplines has
quickly allowed him to gain executive level experience that has further strengthened his
ability to lead and manage successful teams.
Joshua Clarkson – Director of Marketing Joshua John Clarkson holds both a Ph.D. in Social
Psychology from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of Florida.
His research interests focus broadly on the social and meta-cognitive processes underlying
human behavior and offers specific contributions to the areas of attitude strength and
structure, persuasion, self-regulation, and expertise. His work has been published in various
journals, including the Journal of Consumer Research, the Journal of Experimental Social
Psychology, the Journal of Marketing Research, the Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.
Charles Joseph – Director of Production Charlie Joseph received a Bachelor of Science in
Building Construction from the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building
Construction and earned his MBA from the Warrington College of Business at the University
of Florida. He is a State of Florida certified Class A general contractor and a LEED®
accredited professional. Mr. Joseph’s accomplished 20-year career in the commercial
construction industry includes oversight of several high-profile projects with an adjusted
cumulative contract value of over $600M USD. Mr. Joseph founded C. E. Joseph
Constructors Inc. in 2009. He has a passion for logistics, operational efficiency, process
improvement and throughput optimization. He is highly accomplished at delivering state-of-
the-art foodservice facilities and has a superior ability to organize and manage teams of
trained professionals at every organizational level. His background in program
management, real estate acquisition & development, project procurement, cost budgeting,
estimating, forecasting & reporting make him a perfect fit to oversee the supply chain and
construction of FLEAT’s modular PUCKs, service ports and delivery vehicle systems.
Chad Adams – Director of Software Engineering Chad Adams is a senior-level full stack
software engineer with more than 17 years’ experience developing leading-edge
technologies that rely on high volume secure transactions, including web, mobile and
general software development. Chad is an expert in JavaScript for web and mobile
applications, and a master in user interface design and implementation for web, kiosk, &
mobile experiences. He is proficient in OOP, 3-Tier application frameworks, and design
patterns and well versed in source control, continuous testing, build automation and well-
designed reliable and redundant code infrastructures.
Key Advisors
Tom Furphy – Lead Advisor As a retail, technology and consumer products veteran, Tom is
CEO and Managing Director of Consumer Equity Partners, an incubator and venture
development firm in Seattle, WA that is building companies and capabilities to drive the
next generation of consumer marketing and commerce. Tom’s last corporate role was at
Amazon.com as Vice President, Consumables and AmazonFresh, where he was responsible
for building and running the company’s Grocery, Health & Beauty and AmazonFresh
businesses. Prior to Amazon, Tom was the founder and CEO of Notiva, a Software-as-a-
Service collaboration platform for retailers and their suppliers to manage business-to-
business transactions. Before being sold to Oracle, Notiva was conducting over $100 million
per day in manufacturer-to-retailer business for a wide range of manufacturers and
retailers. Tom broke into retail through various senior management roles at Wegmans Food
Markets, one of the most highly regarded grocery retailers in the world.
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
After detailed review, Dagda Partners has certified FLEAT NETWORK, LLC as a strong social
impact investment, based on the following globally accepted social and environmental impact
principals outlined by the Global Impact Investing Network (http://thegiin.org/):
SOCIAL IMPACT
Agricultural productivity
FLEAT improves the supply chain between agricultural producers, food processers, and
consumers by providing a patented on-demand solution that governs and improves efficiencies
of transporting fresh products. Eating locally-produced farm-fresh meals is no easy task. The
supply chain from regional farmers to end users are traditionally long and expensive, and access
to prepared meals made with fresh, local ingredients can be a challenge (and costly). FLEAT
provides access to freshly prepared foods using local ingredients, providing a distinct advantage
when attempting to improve the health of a community. FLEAT’s patented technology improves
the supply chain between regional suppliers (farmers, etc.) and processors (restaurants, etc.),
all the way to end users, by use of intelligent mobile storefronts that contain onboard
inventories that minimize the travel time of time-sensitive ingredients, and provide consumers
quick access to fresh, healthier prepared meals.
The productivity of a region’s farms is important for many reasons. Aside from providing
more food, increasing the productivity of farms affects the region’s prospects for growth and
competitiveness in the agricultural market, income distribution and savings, and labor
migration. An increase in a region’s agricultural productivity implies a more efficient
distribution of scarce resources. FLEAT mobilizes any food service provider’s operation, allowing
direct access to their customer, where they live, work and play. This service can be especially
helpful for the elderly, disabled, disadvantaged, handicapped, and the youth. In today’s world
of modern convenience, access to overly-processed “fast foods” are prevailing, whereas access
to healthy prepared meals fresh from farms are often difficult to obtain and costly. As farmers
adopt new techniques and differences, the more productive farmers benefit from an increase
in their welfare while farmers who are not productive enough will exit the market to seek
success elsewhere. Consumers using the FLEAT platform are provided direct delivery and access
to healthy meals. By simply using their digital devices to place and pay for meal orders,
consumers can now have access to convenience and quality. As a region’s farms become more
productive, its comparative advantage in agricultural products increases, which means that it
can produce these products at a lower opportunity cost than can other regions. Therefore, the
region becomes more competitive on the world market and can attract more consumers, since
they are able to buy more of the products offered for the same amount of money. FLEAT
believes strongly that access to healthier meals will generate this productivity and thus affect
the local agricultural markets in each area their operation becomes established.
Increases in agricultural productivity lead also to agricultural growth and can help to
alleviate poverty in poor and developing areas, where agriculture often employs the greatest
portion of the population. As farms become more productive, the wages earned by those who
work in agriculture increase. At the same time, food prices decrease and food supplies become
more stable. Laborers therefore have more money to spend on food as well as other products
(see the employment generation and income/productivity and growth sections). This also leads
to agricultural growth.
Capacity Building
Capacity building is the process by which individuals and organizations obtain, improve, and
retain the skills and knowledge needed to do their jobs competently. FLEAT’s operation, by
design, creates opportunity to learn a new trade, which is accessible to those at low income
levels. Capacity building and capacity development are often used interchangeably; however,
some people interpret capacity building as not recognizing people’s existing capacity whereas
capacity development recognizes existing capacities which require improvement. Community
capacity building is a conceptual approach to social, behavioral change and focuses on
understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, and organizations from realizing
their development goals while enhancing the abilities that will allow them to achieve
measurable and sustainable results. The term community capacity building emerged in the
lexicon of international development during the 1990s. Today, “community capacity building” is
included in the programs of most international organizations that work in development:
the World Bank, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like Oxfam
International. FLEAT operations are no different. FLEAT is deeply committed to providing each
community it serves – the businesses, philanthropic entities and individual members – with
opportunity through connectivity, collaboration, education, access to employment,. and income
generation.
Community Development
The United Nations defines community development as “a process where community members
come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” It is a
broad term given to the practices of civic leaders, activists, involved citizens, businesses and
professionals to improve various aspects of communities, typically aiming to build stronger and
more resilient local communities. Community development is also understood as a
professional discipline, and is defined by the International Association for Community
Development (www.iacdglobal.org), the global network of community development
practitioners and scholars, as “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that
promotes participative democracy, sustainable development, rights, economic opportunity,
equality and social justice, through the organization, education and empowerment of people
within their communities, whether these be of locality, identity or interest, in urban and rural
settings”. FLEAT’s goal is to decentralize the convenience of food and other common
household goods. FLEAT accomplishes this by providing leased electric vehicles to local
individuals who become new business owners as a part of the process. Suppliers of healthy raw
foods, such as regional farms, benefit from FLEAT’s services by providing restaurants access to
on-demand customers who desire to eat healthier diets. This allows chefs to use fresher
ingredients by minimizing the time fresh foods and raw ingredients spend in transit between
the farm to table. FLEAT provides “on-demand” access between consumers and food service
operators through use of patented logistics technologies that govern networks of mobile
storefronts, each with onboard inventories that can be accessed in real-time. This new
technology increases the efficiency of the supply chain between suppliers, distributors and end
users.
The implementation method is designed to foster community involvement. Built into the
marketing budget are community gatherings and social events designed to inform consumers
as well as new potential business owner clients and potential FLEAT operating partners.
FLEAT’s community development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people with the
skills they need to effect change within their communities. These skills are often created
through the formation of social groups working for a common agenda. Community developers
must understand both how to work with individuals and how to affect communities’ positions
within the context of larger social institutions.
FLEAT also believes healthy communities are built on healthy diets. “You are what you eat” has
never been truer than in this modern day, where Americans are on the verge of a health crisis
due to poor nutrition. FLEAT provides access to freshly prepared meals, which can be made
using farm-fresh ingredients, for easier access to healthier options. Strong communities are
built not only on good commerce but on healthy nutrition, this is especially true for younger
and aging consumers, both of which are projected to be most affected by FLEAT’s operations.
Employment generation
Creating jobs is a keystone of any economic system. Many activities can fall under the rubric of
job creation, including immediate short-term opportunities that yield quick impact, or the
development of more enduring livelihoods in the civil service or private sector; FLEAT aims to
create both. It is important to distinguish between these different activities, recognizing that
sustainability and long-term impact should be duly considered in implementing any
employment generation program. Providing jobs is vital on many levels. Politically, employment
opportunities give the population a stake in the peace process by providing young men and
women with alternatives to violence. Economically, employment provides income to poor
families, revives domestic demand for goods and services, and stimulates overall growth.
Socially, employment can also promote social healing, encourage the return of displaced
persons, and improve social welfare in the long run. FLEAT offers employment opportunities
that span a diverse range, from entry-level jobs to owning a new business with a very low
barrier of entry. “Barrier of entry” describes the difficulty that new entrants (startups) have
when trying to establish a profitable business in a particular market. If the barriers to
establishing a new profitable business are easy to overcome, then the market is seen as having
a low barrier to entry; leasing FLEAT’s fully equipped electric service vehicles has created a low
barrier of entry opportunity for new entrepreneurs. There are also FLEAT jobs that can be
performed by workers without a formal education or a particular skillset. Other FLEAT positions
require more focused skills such as expert driving capabilities, which may be earned by
attending trade schools. FLEAT seeks to hire diversity in its workers and is deeply committed to
hiring women, minorities and low-income employees.
Income/Productivity and Growth
FLEAT’s operations promote economic growth through expansion of employment and creation
of new income and new wealth. Customers benefit by using FLEAT’s on-demand services to
access freshly prepared meals. Time is valuable, and in today’s fast-paced society, time is one
of the only items of which we cannot generate more. Every minute saved over the course of the
delivery of essential items, such as meals, allows you to devote more time to personal interests,
to your family or your faith, and generally helps contribute to overall happiness. Economic
growth promotes prosperity. Without economic growth, there will be no new residential or
commercial development in a community. Communities that do not grow, do not prosper, and
do not offer an attractive quality of life to residents. Economic growth is widely understood to
have substantial benefits for communities. Economic growth is vigorously pursued by all levels
of government as they recognize that growth creates new and better jobs, higher incomes, a
stronger local economy and tax base, and a more vibrant community. It provides residents with
greater prosperity, jobs and improved chances for a better quality of life. New economic
development helps finance improved community services. New economic development and
growth provides significant benefits. These benefits contribute to a better quality of life for all
residents. Too often, growth is viewed from a negative perspective. Productivity is the total
amount of output (or income) generated in an average hour of work. As such, growth in an
economy’s productivity provides the potential for rising living standards over time. FLEAT’s
streamlined marketing and disrupting technology offers workers and business owners alike a
cost-effective opportunity to raise productivity while providing excellent profit incentives, thus
raising wages. Wage stagnation experienced by the vast majority of American workers has
emerged as a central issue in economic policy debates, with candidates and leaders of both
parties noting its importance. Each new FLEAT installation location will bring a strong economic
opportunity to the local community at large, including; businesses, organizations, and
community members. Each new FLEAT operator is a individual business owner, capable of
hiring people and engaging with any local business or community organization. FLEAT’s
technology provides our operators with the best possible opportunity to generate income as
financials show each day’s operating expense can be recouped in a single stop among
potentially many stops.
Equality and Empowerment
FLEAT is committed to empowering the minority community and have shown this commitment
by creating a business opportunity with a low barrier of entry. FLEAT is also committed to
ensuring a percentage of its operators are minority owned and operated. The National
Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), in partnership with The Institute for Thought
Diversity (ITD), researched the effects of their nearly 12,000 certified minority-owned
businesses on the U.S. economy and released their findings in an Economic Impact Report. The
report revealed that these MBEs produce over $400 billion dollars in annual revenue and
actively employ, either directly or indirectly, more than 2.2 million people. Additionally,
minority-owned businesses contribute close to $49 billion in local, state and federal tax
revenues. “It is estimated that minorities will be the new majority in the next 30 years,” said
NMSDC President Joset Wright-Lacy. “Attention must be placed on the growth and
sustainability of a younger, multiracial population as they become the foundation of the
American economy. If minority businesses are not growing and succeeding, the U.S. economy
and the global economy will be negatively impacted.” FLEAT embraces doing well by also doing
good; their low barrier of entry combined with a commitment to hire minorities will ideally
produce results that will motivate other businesses to incorporate these qualities into their
business models.
FLEAT also has progressive policies on hiring and employing women. The positive effect of
empowering women and achieving gender equality requires intentional actions and deliberate
policies. These policies are based on concrete business practices and have inspired companies
around the world to tailor existing policies and programs – or establish needed new ones – to
realize women’s empowerment. FLEAT’s management is committed to the following initiatives:
- Measure and report on women in leadership roles
- Require men and women to be on interview panels
- Roll out parental leave that gives fathers and parents of adopted children the same
amount of leave as mothers (provided they are the primary caregiver) - Roll out healthcare benefits to cover same sex partners
- Aim for minimum 40% of female vendor representation on their vendor panel
Generate Funds for Charitable Giving
An important aspect of FLEAT’s commitment to responsible corporate behavior is the exercise
of social responsibility through philanthropic donations and non-commercial sponsorship.
FLEAT’s approach mirrors their socially impactful/sustainable business model and innovation
culture. FLEAT intends to selectively develop, support and implement innovative solutions
together with competent partners based on core knowledge and skills, resulting in measurable
results and lasting improvements for sustainable impacts for society. This collaborative and
value-based approach demonstrates that both FLEAT and its partners are committed to
effective outcomes. FLEAT’s emphasis is on projects making a real difference through
innovation, collaboration, quality and sustainability. When assessing projects, FLEAT focuses on
the potential impact rather than on the cost. Considerations are on social impact, not material
return on investment, as the measure of success or value. FLEAT believes that good corporate
citizenship should be a matter of course and is not something to be undertaken for publicity
purposes. FLEAT believes, through its participating multinational partners, that its technology
will become a major provider of services to disaster relief agencies in the near and distant
future.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT & SUSTAINABILITY
Energy and fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency was one of the first factors FLEAT considered when creating the concept. A
company can save $200-$1,500 per vehicle in fuel costs each year by choosing the most
efficient vehicle that meets their needs. This can add up to thousands of dollars over a vehicle’s
lifetime. A company can also increase the fuel economy of its current vehicles by adopting
good driving habits and maintaining their vehicles. Better fuel economy can reduce
dependence on foreign oil. More than half of the gasoline consumed comes from oil imported
from other countries. Petroleum imports cost the US more than $5.2 billion a week—that’s
money that could be used to fuel our own economies, both local and national. Burning fossil
fuels such as gasoline or diesel contributes to a number of environmental problems, such as air
pollution (smog) and global climate change. In addition, spills from refining and transporting oil
and petroleum products damage ecosystems and pollute groundwater and streams. Almost all
of the cars and trucks currently driven run on fuels derived from oil. Oil is a non-renewable
resource, and while there is some debate as to how long this resource will last, we will
eventually have to find new ways to power vehicles. For FLEAT, that time is now. FLEAT’s
electric-drive vehicles use solar energy as a means to implement a renewable energy source.
Solar panels are positioned on the rooftops of FLEAT’s mobile storefronts and located on the
FLEAT’s proprietary service ports. This renewable energy is captured using smart grid
technology developed by our strategic partner, Chanje Energy of Los Angeles, and results in less
use energy produced from fossil fuels. Fueling with electricity offers some advantages not
available in conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Because electric motors react
quickly, electric drive vehicles are very responsive and have very good torque. Electric drive
vehicles are often more digitally connected than conventional vehicles, with many electric
vehicle charging stations providing the option to control charging from a smartphone
app. Since the electric grid is available almost anywhere, there are a variety of options for
charging. Electric vehicles provide more than just individual benefits. Electric vehicles can help
the United States have a greater diversity of fuel choices available for transportation. The U.S.
used nearly nine billion barrels of petroleum last year, two-thirds of which went towards
transportation. Our reliance on petroleum makes us vulnerable to price spikes and supply
disruptions. Electric vehicles help reduce this threat because almost all U.S. electricity is
produced from domestic sources, including coal, nuclear, natural gas, and renewable
sources. Electric drive vehicles can also reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change
and smog, improving public health and reducing ecological damage.
Pollution prevention & waste management
Fossil fueled vehicle emissions are one cause of our current environmental problems. According
to the EPA, vehicle emissions account for 28 percent of the greenhouse gasses in the
atmosphere. FLEAT’s all-electric vehicles produce zero emissions, contributing to cleaner air
and a cleaner environment. The American Lung Association (ALA) recently released a report
indicating that the cost of gas used for transportation purposes is far greater than simply the
price we pay at the pump. In addition to the the cost of a gallon of gas, health problems directly
or indirectly related to greenhouse gas emissions account for $20.5 billion in healthcare costs in
the 10 states surveyed alone. In fact, the ALA reported that for every 16 gallons of gas sold,
approximately $11.82 in related healthcare costs is generated. These costs are related to a
variety of illnesses that can result in untimely death, including asthma, heart attacks, and more.
The ALA asserts that major health problems caused by emissions can be avoided if zero
emission vehicles accounted for the majority of vehicles on the road. When additional power is
required for on-board equipment, FLEAT strives to use “clean fuel” technologies such as liquid
propane and hydraulic generators to supply onboard equipment.
FLEAT’s patented technology improves the supply chain between regional suppliers (farmers,
etc.) and processors (restaurants, etc.), all the way to end users, by use of intelligent mobile
storefronts that contain onboard inventories that minimize the travel time of time-sensitive
ingredients, and provide consumers quick access to fresh, healthier prepared meals. In
addition, FLEAT contributes to healthier communities by providing on-demand access to
healthier prepared meals. In a world where “convenience” traditionally comes with a sacrifice
in quality (in the case of foods this usually means overly processed, high fat, low nutrition
meals), FLEAT offers access to delivered meals made with healthy ingredients for the wellbeing
of our communities.
Sustainable energy
Renewable energy is energy that is derived from a limitless source, in contrast to fossil fuels
derived from a finite source. Types of renewables include solar energy from the sun,
wind energy, tidal energy from the seas, and geothermal energy, or heat from within the Earth.
FLEAT’s electric-drive vehicles use solar energy as a means to implement a renewable energy
source. Solar power systems derive clean, pure energy from the sun. Installing solar panels
helps combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduces our collective dependence on fossil fuel.
Traditional electricity is sourced from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.
FLEAT’s patented technology (US 9741011 – SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING EFFICIENCIES OF ON-
DEMAND DELIVERY SERVICES) provides a distinct advantage for managing on-demand
inventories using information and communication technologies. Namely, the use of intelligent
mobile storefronts that each contain an on-board inventory of items that can be accessed by
consumers in real-time, and which allow the mobile storefront to remain in the delivery zone
for entire shifts, increases response times and provides access to “fresher” content. Solar
panels are positioned on the rooftops of FLEAT’s mobile storefronts and located on the FLEAT’s
proprietary service ports. This renewable energy is captured using smart grid technology
developed by our strategic partner, Chanje Energy of Los Angeles, and results in less use of
energy produced from fossil fuels.
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Dagda Whitepaper: FLEAT-WHITE-PAPER-FINAL.pdf
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Company Presentation: FLEAT-INVESTMENT-BRIEF1.pdf
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Company Financials: FLEAT-ANNUAL-REPORT1.pdf
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Bios:
Patrick Fore – Chief Executive Officer Patrick Fore is a food service professional with
executive level leadership, site development and management experience. Over a twelve
year span as Director of Development, he is credited with growing a fresh casual restaurant
chain from 5 to 130+ units. His primary responsibilities were to guide real estate acquisition
and oversee strategic development for overall brand saturation nationwide. As the Chair of
the Real Estate Steering Committee, his focus points included directing outside legal
counsel, project management for unit development, franchisee program development, and
on-budget delivery of new restaurants year over year. Mr. Fore’s understanding of the
latest methods used to analyse big data make him an expert at project management. He has
been noted for his interpersonal abilities, his desire to elevate the performance of those
around him, and his positive attitude that makes him a significant asset to growing
corporate culture and profitability.
Jimi Beach – President; Chief Development Officer James Beach Drummond aka “Jimi
Beach” is the inventor of the patented on-demand technology that forms the basis of the
FLEAT platform. As an industrial designer and lifelong entrepreneur, Jimi launched Buffalo
Research and Development in 2012 as a concept-to-market product development company
based in Orlando, Florida. In addition to designing innovative products for the tech market,
Mr. Beach has successfully launched and sold companies – primarily using his patented
inventions – in various fields such as: life safety devices, distilled spirits, designer decor, and
within the entertainment industry. He is hands-on in every aspect of the design/build
process and has scaled several supply chain and manufacturing programs both domestically
and in factories throughout Asia and Europe. He has been noted as “an energetic global
brand developer with a track record of success in building significant brand equities focused
primarily on high design and usability”. He is twice a winner of the Design of the Times
award, the highest acknowledgement from the Path to Purchase Institute, a global
association recognizing excellence in communication between retailers and brands. This is
in addition to achieving other top industry awards for product design, merchandising, and
inventive marketing programs. In recognition of his achievements in various industries, Jimi
has been featured on CNBC’s The Big Idea, has mentored participants for ABC’s Shark Tank,
and has been quoted as a millennial marketing specialist in the New York Times,
Brandweek, BizBash, and Packaging Design Magazine, among others.
Jonathan Owen – Chief Technology Officer Jonathan Owen is the chief architect of the
FLEAT software platform. Over the last 12 years his focus has been leading several teams in
the development of cutting edge technology solutions in the gaming and internet security
markets. As chief architect, he has designed and implemented various high volume
transactional and communication gateway platforms conforming to PCI level one
compliance with the highest security standards. This includes highly transactional wagering
platforms that focus on strict identity techniques to reduce or eliminate fraud. Jonathan is
also credited as an award-winning producer on several national TV series, focused primarily
on outdoor lifestyles and recreational sports. His production specialties include dynamic
video advertisements, full range commercial production, corporate messaging and product
marketing. Jonathan’s leadership role as an entrepreneur across multiple disciplines has
quickly allowed him to gain executive level experience that has further strengthened his
ability to lead and manage successful teams.
Joshua Clarkson – Director of Marketing Joshua John Clarkson holds both a Ph.D. in Social
Psychology from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of Florida.
His research interests focus broadly on the social and meta-cognitive processes underlying
human behavior and offers specific contributions to the areas of attitude strength and
structure, persuasion, self-regulation, and expertise. His work has been published in various
journals, including the Journal of Consumer Research, the Journal of Experimental Social
Psychology, the Journal of Marketing Research, the Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.
Charles Joseph – Director of Production Charlie Joseph received a Bachelor of Science in
Building Construction from the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building
Construction and earned his MBA from the Warrington College of Business at the University
of Florida. He is a State of Florida certified Class A general contractor and a LEED®
accredited professional. Mr. Joseph’s accomplished 20-year career in the commercial
construction industry includes oversight of several high-profile projects with an adjusted
cumulative contract value of over $600M USD. Mr. Joseph founded C. E. Joseph
Constructors Inc. in 2009. He has a passion for logistics, operational efficiency, process
improvement and throughput optimization. He is highly accomplished at delivering state-of-
the-art foodservice facilities and has a superior ability to organize and manage teams of
trained professionals at every organizational level. His background in program
management, real estate acquisition & development, project procurement, cost budgeting,
estimating, forecasting & reporting make him a perfect fit to oversee the supply chain and
construction of FLEAT’s modular PUCKs, service ports and delivery vehicle systems.
Chad Adams – Director of Software Engineering Chad Adams is a senior-level full stack
software engineer with more than 17 years’ experience developing leading-edge
technologies that rely on high volume secure transactions, including web, mobile and
general software development. Chad is an expert in JavaScript for web and mobile
applications, and a master in user interface design and implementation for web, kiosk, &
mobile experiences. He is proficient in OOP, 3-Tier application frameworks, and design
patterns and well versed in source control, continuous testing, build automation and well-
designed reliable and redundant code infrastructures.
Key Advisors
Tom Furphy – Lead Advisor As a retail, technology and consumer products veteran, Tom is
CEO and Managing Director of Consumer Equity Partners, an incubator and venture
development firm in Seattle, WA that is building companies and capabilities to drive the
next generation of consumer marketing and commerce. Tom’s last corporate role was at
Amazon.com as Vice President, Consumables and AmazonFresh, where he was responsible
for building and running the company’s Grocery, Health & Beauty and AmazonFresh
businesses. Prior to Amazon, Tom was the founder and CEO of Notiva, a Software-as-a-
Service collaboration platform for retailers and their suppliers to manage business-to-
business transactions. Before being sold to Oracle, Notiva was conducting over $100 million
per day in manufacturer-to-retailer business for a wide range of manufacturers and
retailers. Tom broke into retail through various senior management roles at Wegmans Food
Markets, one of the most highly regarded grocery retailers in the world.