Zip Car Essay

556 Words3 Pages
1. What are the origins of the zip car concept? How was it modified? How did it evolve? The origins were form Switzerland in 1987. But, one of the co-founders came across it in Berlin, Germany in 1999. He thought that the same concept might be able to work around urban areas in the United States. Saving money, environment friendly and making it more convenience was the main purpose of the Zip car, it didn’t change that much between 1987 and 1999, neither the purpose or the process. Improvement came by technological enhancements, improving how convenience it was with its interfaces and zip card, allowing users to open and close the car with one simple pin. Wireless services improved data collection and developed the ability for the car to send real time information concerning location, start date or time to the server, while developing a much easier and simple to use tracking system for the billing and several other services way more easier. Zip car hasn’t seen that many changes but it has seen many improvements. 2. Getting started: How did the two founders overcome the “hen-and-the egg”-problem with regards to investors and the venture (investors want to have some proof and see some progress e.g. developed team, product, sales, etc., but the founders needed the money to achieve all this? Targeting people like friends and family to help them with money and keep the project alive until they found a real investor or funding. They also continuously build the business while raising the money signing large contracts, improving their market analysis and technology. The also got support from a $25,000 loan so they could put the first cars in the street and that way they could show how the car works and runs and that it wasn’t just an idea. 3. Do you think the zip-car company will be successful? Why or/and why not? How do you judge the three aspects of the

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