A pair of Exeter University graduates who developed a car-sharing app for students are being give the opportunity to pitch their business to Formula 1 representatives after winning a major international competition.
William Line and James Campion have also won a share of €30,000 for their platform Staxy, which is aimed at providing people with a more affordable way to travel while reducing their carbon footprint.
Their company was one of three winners in the start-up category of the Santander X Global Challenge: Countdown to Zero - a global competition run by the bank and Formula 1 that recognises innovative new businesses helping to improve the sustainability of the automotive industry.
This year the competition received more than 600 applications from start-ups and scale-ups across the world. Staxy was among 10 finalists which pitched online to a panel of business experts including the head of sustainability at Formula 1, the chief communications officer at Ferrari, and various members of Santander.
As well as a cash prize, Mr Line and Mr Campion have won a trip to Mexico to meet with other like-minded entrepreneurs as well as representatives from Formula 1 and Ferrari. They will also be given access to Santander's X100 entrepreneurs’ network.
Mr Line, who has a degree in politics, philosophy and economics, said: “It was a great networking event to learn more about Santander X and the work they do globally, as well as different partnerships that we can form through Santander X, such as Ferrari. The fact that we're going to pitch to Formula 1 in December is really cool and we would love to get our solution integrated into the service they offer.”
The pair launched Staxy in September 2021 with Mr Campion's school friend William Hughes. The business was initially launched as an app-based student carpool platform, which allows student car owners to post journeys they are making and for students with a common destination to join as a passenger.
The app has now amassed 5,000 student users and the founders have ambitions to expand access to different communities such as businesses or sports clubs.
Juan Manuel Cendoya, global head of communications, corporate marketing and research at Banco Santander, added: “The collaboration between Santander and Formula 1 offers the opportunity for entrepreneurs to share their ideas focused on sustainability with one of the most innovative sports in the world."
READ NEXT
