Boosted (company) explained

Boosted
Former Names:Boosted Boards
Type:Private
Founders:John Ulmen, Sanjay Dastoor, Matthew Tran
Key People:Jeff Russakow (CEO)
Industry:
Defunct:2020
Fate:Most of assets sold to Boosted USA
Products:Electric skateboards, electric scooters
Foundation:, Palo Alto, California, United States
Location City:Mountain View, California 94043
Location Country:United States

Boosted (formerly Boosted Boards) was an American manufacturer of electric skateboards and electric scooters based in Mountain View, California.[1]

History

2012–2016

Boosted was founded in mid-2012 with financial backing by StartX.[2] The company was founded by Sanjay Dastoor, John Ulmen, and Matthew Tran, who delivered a TED talk on the subject in 2013.[3]

The company started a Kickstarter campaign promising a premium electric skateboard called the "Boosted Board" for a $100,000 goal. It was a massive success, and generated over $467,000 from backers.[4]

In 2014, the original Boosted Board was renamed the Dual+, and two new models were announced: the Dual and the Single. The Dual and Single received new, upgraded software. The Dual+ also received the software following the announcement.

On May 19, 2016, the second generation Boosted Board was announced. It featured a swappable battery that could be upgraded to a future Extended Range Battery, water resistance, 80 mm Orangatang wheels, upgraded Bluetooth radio, accessory ports beneath the risers, and more modular design to better enable service and repair by both users and the manufacturer.[5] However, the Single model was cancelled and store credits to reservation holders to upgrade to Dual and Dual+ models.[6]

2017–2018

In February 2017, the second generation was re-released with additional upgrades to its battery and firmware. In November 2017, an expanded version of the Boosted mobile app was released, including expansion from just iOS to also include Android. In January 2018 the Extended Range Battery was released, which is able to be mounted on second generation boards, effectively doubling the range of skateboard. On April 17, 2018, Boosted announced its third generation of skateboards. It included two longboards, and for the first time, two shortboards. The company also expanded at this time from shipping in US and Canada to 34 countries, including the EU, Australia, and New Zealand. Time magazine named the Boosted Mini a Top 50 Invention of the Year. In December 2018, Boosted received over $60 million in new investment to continue its global expansion and development of additional products.[7]

2019

Boosted announced the new Boosted Rev (scooter) on May 15, 2019.

Boosted announced the new Boosted Beams (dedicated headlights) and Boosted 105's (larger wheels) on November 14, 2019.[8]

2020

The Boosted Rev, being manufactured in China, was affected by the US-China tariff war, causing the company to owe its manufactures up to $100,000 during production.[9]

On March 4, 2020, Boosted announced that it has laid off a significant portion of its team and was actively seeking a buyer.[10] [11]

In April 2020, it was reported that Lime has acquired some of the remaining assets of Boosted, including five of the company's core patents.[12] The remaining inventory of skateboards, scooters, and related parts was acquired by Boosted USA.[13]

Products

Kickstarter Boosted Boards

The first Boosted Boards were offered in a Kickstarter running from September 11, 2012 to October 11, 2012, collecting $467,167 with 1,110 backers.[14] The first boards shipped in February 2014.

First gen Boosted Boards

The official Boosted line-up was launched November 5, 2014 and consisted of three models.[15]

!!Boosted Single!Boosted Dual!Boosted Dual+
MotorsOneTwo
Top speed18 mph20 mph22 mph
Power1000 watt1500 watt2000 watt
Range10 miles (16 km)7 miles (11 km)7 miles (11 km)
Hill climbing15% grade20% grade25% grade
Wheel SizeOrangatang In Heat 75mm
Deck length38.0" (96,5 cm)

Second gen Boosted Boards

The second generation boards were announced on May 19, 2016.[16] The second generation features an upgrade to the electronics and drive train of the board. New boards featured modular components such as the motors, skid plates, ESC, and battery. Second generation was also launched with two battery sizes, the 99 watt-hour SR battery and the 199 watt-hour XR battery. Originally announced with a single motor variant, the 2nd generation later discontinued development of this board due to an XR battery recall and subsequent shipping delays.

Boosted Dual SRBoosted Dual XRBoosted Dual+ SRBoosted Dual+ XR
MotorsTwo
Top speed20 mph22 mph
Ride modes34
Power1500 watt2000 watt
Range7 miles (11 km)14 miles (22 km)7 miles (11 km)14 miles (22 km)
Recharge time75 min105 min75 min105 min
Hill climbing20% grade25% grade
Wheel SizeOrangatang Kegel 80mm
Deck length38.0" (96,5 cm)
Weight15.0 lbs (6,8 kg)16.8 lbs (7,6 kg)15.0 lbs (6,8 kg)16.8 lbs (7,6 kg)

Third gen Boosted Boards

The third generation Boosted Boards were introduced on April 17, 2018.[17] [18] The line exists of four models, with the Boosted Mini, a smaller electric skateboard. The major difference between 2nd gen and 3rd gen boards comes with their construction, as they now only use in house Boosted components (deck, wheels, trucks).

!!Boosted Stealth!Boosted Plus!Boosted Mini X!Boosted Mini S
Top speed24 mph (38 km/h)22 mph (35 km/h)20 mph (32 km/h)18 mph (29 km/h)
Ride modes543
Power2100 watt2000 watt1000 watt
Range14 miles (22 km)7 miles (11 km)
Recharge time105 min75 min
Hill climbing25% grade20% grade
WheelsBoosted Stratus 85mmBoosted Lunar 80mm
Deck length38.0" (96,5 cm)29.5" (75,0 cm)
Weight17.0 lbs (7,7 kg)16.8 lbs (7,6 kg)15.0 lbs (6,8 kg)

Boosted Rev electric scooter

!!Boosted Rev
MotorsTwo (all wheel drive)
Top speed24 mph (38 km/h)
Ride modes3
Power1500W (nominal)
Range8-16 mile Real world Range depending on user weight and mode used
Hill climbing25% grade

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Boosted Rolls Out Cheaper, Even More Dangerous Electric Skateboards. Wired. June 18, 2016.
  2. Web site: Stanford's StartX Incubator Says It's Number 2 In Funding Per Startup, With $80 Million Raised Over Two Years. Ryan. Lawler. TechCrunch. September 6, 2012. July 14, 2016.
  3. boosted people: [OJG] Hülkérmôn
  4. Web site: Boosted Boards – The World's Lightest Electric Vehicle. . June 18, 2016.
  5. Web site: Introducing the 2nd Generation Boosted Board . Boosted Boards . Jack. Robbie. May 19, 2016 . July 31, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160817013242/https://boostedboards.com/introducing-2nd-generation-boosted-board/. August 17, 2016 . dead.
  6. News: Extended Range Pack, Single, and International Update . January 31, 2017 . Boosted Boards. September 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180918193659/https://blog.boostedboards.com/blog/extended-range-pack-single-international-update/. September 18, 2018. dead.
  7. Web site: Electric skateboard startup Boosted scores $60M to develop new vehicle . Cromwell . Schubarth. December 20, 2018 . . December 23, 2018.
  8. Web site: Toll. Micah. November 14, 2019 . Boosted reveals two new products: electric skateboard lights and bigger wheels. April 5, 2021 . Electrek.
  9. Web site: Boosted Boards are out of business: What happened?. April 5, 2021 . Slidebean.
  10. News: Boosted lays off 'a significant portion' of its team as it looks for a buyer. TechCrunch. Megan Rose. Dickey. March 4, 2020. March 5, 2020.
  11. News: Boosted lays off 'significant portion' of its employees. The Verge. Sean. O'Kane. March 4, 2020. March 5, 2020.
  12. Web site: Lime is buying up remnants of electric skateboard company Boosted. O'Kane. Sean . April 16, 2020 . The Verge . April 17, 2020.
  13. Web site: Toll . Micah . The story of how one guy got all of Boosted's leftover electric skateboards after its bankruptcy . Electrek . April 26, 2020.
  14. Web site: Boosted Boards – The World's Lightest Electric Vehicle. Kickstarter . April 17, 2018.
  15. News: Boosted Boards – 3 New Electric Skateboard Models Starting at $999. November 5, 2014 . Boosted Boards. April 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093117/https://boostedboards.com/blog/new-electric-skateboard-models/. April 18, 2018 . dead.
  16. News: Introducing the 2nd Generation Boosted Board – Boosted Boards. May 19, 2016 . Boosted Boards. September 18, 2018.
  17. News: The Next Generation of Boosted – Boosted Boards. April 17, 2018. Boosted Boards. April 17, 2018.
  18. News: Compare the New Boosted Boards – Boosted Boards. April 17, 2018. Boosted Boards. April 17, 2018.