For electric-bike startup company Sunshine Cycles, support from Jobs for NSW Local Innovation Network member Sourdough Business Pathways at Byron Bay has helped accelerate its business journey and put it on the road to success.

Sunshine Cycles founder Luke Young was mentored by Sourdough when he first set off on his startup venture, and has since gone from strength to strength with his plans to develop a solar powered electric bike company.

“When I first started out I had my idea but really didn’t have any understanding or background on what was involved in developing my startup,” Mr Young said.

“Sourdough really helped me develop my ideas based on what might work and what wouldn’t. I also got into the EnergyLab accelerator program which helped me to apply research and development to redesign my work.”

Mr Young, who previously worked as an industrial abseiler in the oil and gas industry, said he developed his startup in the hope of providing a more sustainable future.

He has now secured $300,000 funding from Origin Energy towards his plans to develop 10 solar powered ‘sun-pods’ that will each be used to house and recharge electric bikes.

“The sun- pods will provide a solar powered fully automated bike rental system,” Mr Young said.

“People who register by downloading our app will be able to access the sun-pods and hire our electric bikes and then bring them back for charging through an automated docking system.

“These sun-pods will be placed in tourist areas from the Tweed down to Ballina. Electric bikes are a great way for tourists to get around and our bikes have the added advantage of being recharged by solar energy which is attractive from an environmental perspective.