Tag: People

Lightyear Investor Cafe: this is only the beginning

Martijn Lammers — Co-Founder

We have held our first Investor Cafe.

During this evening we presented our plans to a select group of people from our network. We informed them on what we are doing and what our plans are for the near future. We would like to thank all attendants, especially our ambassadors Camilla van den Boom, Maarten Steinbuch and Ton Backx.

Goals
The goal for this evening was to slowly start putting our mission out in the world and get valuable feedback on our plans & story. Mobilising our network to help us has proved a good strategy to test our plans against a larger group of interested people of various backgrounds. It is extremely motivating to see a growing group of people interested. Their feedback gives us a clear overview of what parts of our plans to focus on. We do this to continuously keep learning and improving.

First investors
Attendants of the investor cafe got the first, exclusive, opportunity to be among the first investors in Lightyear. To..

When cars and solar energy meet

Lex Hoefsloot — Co-Founder

Energy is the ability to do work. It is the reason why we have progressed into a highly prosperous society within 200 years. Energy veteran Gregg Maryniak showed me this graph that puts the whole story into perspective. Looking at this timescale, it suddenly becomes clear that fossil fuels are just a blip in history. In a very short time, fossil fuels gave us prosperity and the ability to accelerate all aspects of human development. Sadly, we all know that these energy sources came with a dark-side. We will inevitably switch to a new energy source.

Fossil fuels are just a blip in history. source

Despite the fact that this ‘blip’ is associated with massive amounts of energy, scientists are in fact quite certain that we can produce the same amount of energy using solar and wind power. Isn’t it fascinating how we are heading towards a future in which we can produce many times more energy using solar and wind power than mother nature has been ca..

Mobility is a necessity – Everyone will always travel

Lex Hoefsloot — Co-Founder

Do you remember the game-changer of mobility in the 20th century? Yes, it was Henry Ford with his car: the model T.

From this point in time urban planning was centred around the car. The streets and cities faced major transformations. Many new features came along, like parking lots, motorways, gas stations, and traffic lights. Each of these developments helped us to move around easier and more comfortable. It became easier to visit our friends and family in other towns. The time to travel reduced from days to hours, the car unlocked many opportunities. Nowadays, the car is our most expensive possession, after our house. It is a vehicle that we trust our safety to. We use the car to go on holidays and to go to-and-from work.

Mobility changed the distance travelled, not the time travelled.
Mobility is a condition for prosperity and well-being, and research points out that mobility is not only a means but also a goal in itself. Historically, people ..

We are Lightyear, we’re on a mission

Martijn Lammers — Co-Founder

We love electric cars…

But they’re only the first step, what if they could generate their own energy?

That’s a business opportunity!

Lightyear was founded by 5 Solar Team Eindhoven alumni. With Solar Team Eindhoven, we built the revolutionary solar cars Stella & Stella Lux. Both cars are 4 seaters, road legal, solar powered and built to win the World Solar Challenge cruiser class. After two world championships, we decided that it is time for the next step.

Our story started back in 2012. All we had was a blank canvas, no experience, no network and no money. We took our enthusiasm, a healthy dose of naivety and common sense to start an endeavour that still continues today. Looking back, it is easy to forget the times we worked until the sun came up or the problems that kept us from working at all. Like the time our cars’ transport to the competition in Australia was cancelled a week before we left. Or the desperate attempts removing a crucial ..

Asset finance new business down 6% in quieter September

9 November 2017
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) fell by 6% in September, compared with the same month last year. In Q3 2017, new business fell by 2% compared with the same quarter in 2016.
While new finance for business equipment grew in September by 4% compared with the same month in 2016, new finance for plant and machinery fell by 8% over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“September was a quieter month for the business car and plant and machinery finance sectors. Nevertheless, the asset finance market has returned a strong performance so far in 2017, with new business overall 6% higher than in the previous year. Over the same period, UK business investment is forecast to have grown by only 2.3%.
“Recent data revisions by the Office for National Statistics suggest that the asset finance industry’s contribution to supporting business investment is even greater than previously thought. FLA calculations show that the industry financed more than 35% of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the twelve months to June 2017 – an eight-year high.”
Sep 2017
% change on prev. year
3 months to Sep
2017
% change on prev. year
12 months to Sep
2017
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
2,750
-6
7,574
-2
31,611
+5
Total excluding high value (£m)
2,740
-2
7,381
+3
30,579
+6
Data Extracts:
By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
494
-8
1,537
+5
6,505
+12
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
711
+1
1,764
-2
7,488
+2
IT equipment finance (£m)
212
-4
549
-5
2,214
-3
Business equipment finance (£m)
219
+4
632
+8
2,567
+12
Car finance (£m)
888
-8
2,396
+2
9,763
+5
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
20
+24
34
-77
615
+20
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
1,283
-5
3,711
0
15,506
+4
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
520
-4
1,423
+3
5,723
+12
Sales finance (£m)
937
+3
2,248
+6
9,350
+6
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
344
-3
941
0
4,000
-3
Operating leasing (£m)
655
-6
1,658
0
7,063
+6
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,434
-2
4,045
+3
16,589
+9
Other finance (£m)
316
-24
930
-21
3,959
-4
Note to editors:
In 2016, FLA members provided £118 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £30 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2016.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Asset finance up 7% in October

13 December 2017
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew by 7% in October, compared with the same month last year.
The plant and machinery finance and business equipment finance sectors reported new business up in October by 6% and 13% respectively, compared with the same month in 2016, while new finance for IT equipment was up by 22% over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“Growth in the asset finance market was broad-based in October, with most of the main asset sectors reporting increases in new business.
“The industry is on course to report a record level of annual new business in 2017 of around £32 billion.”
Oct 2017
% change on prev. year
3 months to Oct
2017
% change on prev. year
12 months to Oct
2017
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
2,672
+7
7,625
+1
31,771
+5
Total excluding high value (£m)
2,665
+9
7,568
+3
30,772
+7
Data Extracts:
By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
489
+6
1,485
+1
6,518
+12
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
660
+5
1,883
0
7,520
+2
IT equipment finance (£m)
195
+22
579
+4
2,248
0
Business equipment finance (£m)
196
+13
603
+8
2,585
+12
Car finance (£m)
911
+8
2,413
+2
9,833
+6
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
17
-64
44
-52
586
+10
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
1,395
+6
3,786
+1
15,585
+4
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
505
+14
1,478
+5
5,785
+13
Sales finance (£m)
765
+11
2,304
+7
9,403
+7
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
328
+5
945
+1
4,005
-3
Operating leasing (£m)
553
-1
1,678
-2
7,057
+6
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,519
+14
4,148
+5
16,765
+10
Other finance (£m)
271
-5
855
-11
3,944
-5
Note to editors:
In 2016, FLA members provided £118 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £30 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2016.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Asset finance new business holds steady

11 January 2018
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) in November was £2.5 billion, a similar level to the same month in 2016.
The commercial vehicle finance and IT equipment finance sectors reported new business up in November by 5% and 1% respectively, compared with the same month in 2016, while new finance for plant and machinery fell by 3% over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“The asset finance market reported a broadly stable picture across the main asset sectors in November, and remains on course to report a record level of annual new business in 2017 of around £32 billion. This would represent new business growth of 6% compared with 2016, in line with expectations.”
Nov 2017
% change on prev. year
3 months to Nov
2017
% change on prev. year
12 months to Nov
2017
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
2,541
0
7,962
0
31,804
+4
Total excluding high value (£m)
2,531
+4
7,936
+3
30,919
+6
Data Extracts:
By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
481
-3
1,464
-2
6,506
+10
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
691
+5
2,061
+4
7,574
+2
IT equipment finance (£m)
235
+1
642
+5
2,246
-4
Business equipment finance (£m)
209
-4
624
+4
2,566
+9
Car finance (£m)
738
-2
2,538
-1
9,854
+5
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
8
-60
45
-45
574
+18
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
1,186
-2
3,864
0
15,595
+3
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
526
+14
1,551
+7
5,868
+13
Sales finance (£m)
818
+9
2,521
+7
9,456
+7
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
286
-9
959
-2
3,948
-4
Operating leasing (£m)
607
+3
1,816
-2
7,143
+6
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,371
-2
4,325
+3
16,745
+7
Other finance (£m)
276
+11
862
-9
3,968
-4
Note to editors:
In 2016, FLA members provided £118 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £30 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2016.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Asset finance market provides support to key sectors in February

6 April 2018
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) for deals of up to £20 million fell in February by 1%, compared with the same month last year.
The plant and machinery finance and IT equipment finance sectors reported new business growth in February of 5% and 13% respectively, compared with the same month in 2017. By contrast, new business for commercial vehicles and business equipment fell by 7% and 20% respectively over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“Many asset sectors reported further growth in February despite it being a quieter month overall.
“The asset finance market continued to support key economic sectors with new finance for construction and agricultural equipment up by 13% and 9% respectively, compared with February 2017. The manufacturing sector also benefitted as new finance for production and process equipment was 47% higher over the same period.”
Feb 2018
% change on prev. year
3 months to Feb
2018
% change on prev. year
12 months to Feb
2018
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
2,006
-6
6,975
+1
31,718
+4
Total excluding high value (£m)
1,952
-1
6,413
-1
29,980
+5
Data Extracts:
By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
491
+5
1,512
+4
6,629
+10
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
479
-7
1,532
-9
7,425
0
IT equipment finance (£m)
169
+13
594
+19
2,380
+5
Business equipment finance (£m)
170
-20
587
-2
2,554
+4
Car finance (£m)
552
+5
1,767
-1
9,517
+5
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
9
-89
72
-58
472
-8
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
948
-3
3,131
-3
14,968
+3
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
450
+10
1,369
+7
5,733
+11
Sales finance (£m)
554
-4
1,913
-1
9,279
+6
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
262
+17
909
+5
3,848
+7
Operating leasing (£m)
390
-10
1,325
-9
6,699
0
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,146
-3
3,514
-1
16,876
+6
Other finance (£m)
165
-34
788
-7
3,228
-8
Note to editors:
In 2017, FLA members provided £128 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £32 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2017.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Michelin and Fenner announced a recommended cash offer for all shares of Fenner PLC

L’ACCÈS À CETTE PARTIE DU SITE INTERNET PEUT FAIRE L’OBJET DE RESTRICTIONS EN APPLICATION DE LÉGISLATIONS SUR LES TITRES FINANCIERS DANS CERTAINES JURIDICTIONS. CET AVIS REQUIERT QUE VOUS CONFIRMIEZ CERTAINES INFORMATIONS (Y COMPRIS QUE VOUS N’ÊTES PAS RÉSIDENT DE TELLES JURIDICTIONS) AVANT D’OBTENIR L’ACCÈS AUX INFORMATIONS FIGURANT DANS CETTE PARTIE DU SITE INTERNET. CES DOCUMENTS NE SONT… Continue reading Michelin and Fenner announced a recommended cash offer for all shares of Fenner PLC

Formula-E 2017/2018 – Paris – Home glory for Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah) and Michelin at Paris E-Prix!

. Installé en tête du peloton lors du départ, Jean-Eric Vergne a solidement défendu sa position face aux attaques de Sam Bird (DS-Virgin Racing), lui-même pris en chasse par André Lotterer (Techeetah). Le tiercé a creusé l’écart durant la première phase de la course, pour reprendre la piste dans le même ordre après le changement… Continue reading Formula-E 2017/2018 – Paris – Home glory for Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah) and Michelin at Paris E-Prix!