Key Deal Facts
12+ years research and $10M+ invested in the technology, originally designed for Mars rover missions
Strategic partnership & collaborations with Felt Bicycles and Spin Mobility (Ford Motor Company)
3x patents: superelastic tire, radially stiffened shape memory alloy tire, tubular SMA bicycle tire
Addresses the $250B global tire market, from bikes to off-road, automotive, trucking and aerospace
Space Act Agreement (partnership) between The SMART Tire Company and NASA Glenn Research Center
Inventor is a 2x R&D 100 Award Winner ("the Oscars of Innovation")
Eco-friendly alternative: tire industry produces more than 50 billion pounds of toxic waste annually
Invented, developed, and manufactured in the USA
Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Earl Cole
CEO
Earl is a senior executive, entrepreneur and producer, who studied business & entrepreneurship at the University of Washington and Stanford. Worked with mega brands Disney, Sony, Honda, and CBS, and is the first ever unanimous winner of Survivor.
Brian Yennie
CTO
A technology leader from diverse startups across education, gaming, manufacturing and blockchain, Brian studied computer science at Dartmouth College before joining his first startup at 19. Runs CelticsStrong.com to feed his Boston sports addiction.
Calvin Young Mechanical Engineer
Calvin Young is a mechanical engineer from Portland, OR. His passion for space exploration intersected with his love of cycling as an intern at NASA Glenn Research Center where he co-invented a new bicycle tire design based on Mars rover technology.
Dr Santo Padula, II, Ph.D Materials Scientist (NASA)
World leading researcher in Shape Memory Alloys ("SMAs"). 2x R&D 100 Award Winner. 18 years at NASA, he holds numerous patents related to SMAs. Co-inventor of the superelastic tire, the new baseline for future Mars Rover technologies.
Colin Creager Mechanical Engineer (NASA)
Co-inventor of the radially stiffened shape memory alloy & tubular SMA bicycle tire. BS Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State. NASA Mars Rover team.
Monica Kang, Esq., Attorney-at-law Legal Advisor, Environmental Consultant
Experienced lawyer in both federal and state (Los Angeles Superior Court) legal systems with a background in insurance, employment, trademark & patent law. BS in Biology (Applied Ecology) & BA in Environmental Engineering.
Rob Trepa Advisor, Defense Contracts
Rob is the founder & CEO of YawPitch, servicing aerospace & defense customers in the midwest. He was the fifth American to complete the Four Desert Ultra Races, including a solo run of the 805 mile Arizona Trail.
Dale Kirby Advisor, Aerospace & Government Grants
As Managing Member of Abilifly, LLC, and Vice President of three high growth Defense contractors, Mr. Kirby is versed in the challenges confronting emerging technology firms. Served in the United States Coast Guard.
