Introducing FT Motion: New Zealand's Electric

The Genesis of FT Motion: From Garage Hack to

Wellington: The Perfect City for Electric

Designing a Retro-Futuristic Electric Bike

The Global Potential of FT Motion

Turning a Passion Project into a Business

The Power of Incubators and Networks

Building a Community Around FT Motion

Navigating the Challenges of Electric Bike

The Future of FT Motion: Expansion and

The Electric Bike Market Landscape

FT Motion's Funding Journey and Product

Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

New Zealand isn't exactly famous for producing automotive brands, but FTN Motion is trying to change that.

In the latest episode of The Business of Tech, the company’s co-founders Luke Sinclair and Kendall Bristow recount how a backyard BMX hack led to them creating one of the country's most distinctive electric vehicle startups.

That was almost a decade ago, when two mechanical engineering graduates from Waikato University strapped a motor and battery onto a BMX bike in Pukekohe, before electric motorcycles were even a mainstream concept. 

That scrappy experiment sparked an idea: a new vehicle category sitting between an e-bike and a motorcycle, built for the 20 to 30-kilometre urban commute. The result is the Street Dog, a retro-styled café racer that channels the romance of classic motorcycles while running on electric power.

I spent a day test-driving the new Streetdog 50 on the streets of Wellington, enjoying a smooth ride on a bike that’s easy to get to grips with. This version doesn’t require the rider to have a motorcycle licence, so will appeal to people who want a bit more flexibility getting around town than an e-bike provides.

Rather than chasing a futuristic look like many EV makers, FTN Motion doubled down on nostalgia and craftsmanship, betting that riders want something that feels like a classic, not a gadget. That bet is paying off, particularly in Wellington, a city custom-built for the bike's use case, with concentrated inner-city roads and no need to touch the motorway.

At the heart of the co-founders’ success are relationships and networks. Luke and Kendall reveal how a chance conversation at a barbecue led them to Wellington incubator Creative HQ, how a single media column penned by professional director Mike “MOD” O’Donnell generated their first hundred pre-orders almost overnight, and how those early wins snowballed into relationships with Wellington’s Angel HQ and engineering veterans from Rocket Lab and Dyson.

FTN Motion has resisted the industry's urge to over-engineer the user experience, deliberately skipping apps and unnecessary tech to keep the focus on the ride. And as the company eyes expansion into Australia, the US and beyond, Luke and Kendall get candid about what it actually takes to manufacture vehicles in New Zealand, why scaling slowly has been their secret weapon, and how they plan to stand out in a global market increasingly crowded with cheap electric alternatives from China.

Listen to the full episode, streaming on iHeartRadio, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

New Zealand isn't exactly famous for producing automotive brands, but <a href="https://www.ftnmotion.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq_p8QVrvrxq5ydhM_3aKWzWczaHYlrmxF1vXIl_3QBEfwNW2ku">FTN Motion</a> is trying to change that.
In the latest episode of The Business of Tech, the company&rsquo;s co-founders Luke Sinclair and Kendall Bristow recount how a backyard BMX hack led to them creating one of the country's most distinctive electric vehicle startups.
That was almost a decade ago, when two mechanical engineering graduates from Waikato University strapped a motor and battery onto a BMX bike in Pukekohe, before electric motorcycles were even a mainstream concept.&nbsp;
That scrappy experiment sparked an idea: a new vehicle category sitting between an e-bike and a motorcycle, built for the 20 to 30-kilometre urban commute. The result is the Street Dog, a retro-styled caf&eacute; racer that channels the romance of classic motorcycles while running on electric power.
I spent a day test-driving the new Streetdog 50 on the streets of Wellington, enjoying a smooth ride on a bike that&rsquo;s easy to get to grips with. This version doesn&rsquo;t require the rider to have a motorcycle licence, so will appeal to people who want a bit more flexibility getting around town than an e-bike provides.
Rather than chasing a futuristic look like many EV makers, FTN Motion doubled down on nostalgia and craftsmanship, betting that riders want something that feels like a classic, not a gadget. That bet is paying off, particularly in Wellington, a city custom-built for the bike's use case, with concentrated inner-city roads and no need to touch the motorway.
At the heart of the co-founders&rsquo; success are relationships and networks. Luke and Kendall reveal how a chance conversation at a barbecue led them to Wellington incubator Creative HQ, how a single media column penned by professional director Mike &ldquo;MOD&rdquo; O&rsquo;Donnell generated their first hundred pre-orders almost overnight, and how those early wins snowballed into relationships with Wellington&rsquo;s Angel HQ and engineering veterans from Rocket Lab and Dyson.
FTN Motion has resisted the industry's urge to over-engineer the user experience, deliberately skipping apps and unnecessary tech to keep the focus on the ride. And as the company eyes expansion into Australia, the US and beyond, Luke and Kendall get candid about what it actually takes to manufacture vehicles in New Zealand, why scaling slowly has been their secret weapon, and how they plan to stand out in a global market increasingly crowded with cheap electric alternatives from China.
Listen to the full episode, streaming on <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-the-business-of-tech-114330718/">iHeartRadio</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-business-of-tech/id1686022906">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5GUbfwoRfmX6sUzWq6PQQa">Spotify</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Business of Tech, hosted by leading tech journalist Peter Griffin. Every week they take a deep dive into emerging technology and news from the sector to help guide the important decisions all Business leaders make.

Issues such as cybersecurity, retaining trust after a cyberattack, business IT needs, purchasing SaaS tools and more.

New Episodes out every Thursday. Follow or subscribe to get it delivered straight to your favourite podcatcher.

@petergnz

@businessdesk_nz

Proudly sponsored by 2degrees Business!

 

The Business of Tech, hosted by leading tech journalist Peter Griffin. Every week they take a deep dive into emerging technology and news from the sector to help guide the important decisions all Business leaders make.
Issues such as cybersecurity, retaining trust after a cyberattack, business IT needs, purchasing SaaS tools and more.
New Episodes out every Thursday. Follow or subscribe to get it delivered straight to your favourite podcatcher.
@petergnz
@businessdesk_nz
Proudly sponsored by 2degrees Business!
&nbsp;

The Business of Tech

FTN Motion's electric ride

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/237377e3-5392-445a-81db-b48e015603d0/transcript