Silvana Huaman: Driving Innovation in Light Electric Vehicle Lifecycle Management
tl;dr
Silvana Huaman co-founded FTEX to enhance customer engagement and retention for light electric vehicle (LEV) brands through lifecycle management software.
FTEX's software provides ongoing value to LEV users by offering maintenance, upgrades, and recycling options post-sale.
The company is expanding into U.S. and European markets, aiming to serve 500 million LEV users by 2030.
Silvana Huaman, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at FTEX, is at the forefront of revolutionizing the light electric vehicle (LEV) industry through innovative lifecycle management software. With over 12 years of experience in marketing and demand generation, Silvana has seamlessly transitioned from her career in tech and cleantech marketing to become a key player in the electric mobility space. Her mission is clear: to empower LEV brands to create value throughout the entire lifecycle of their vehicles, making electric transportation more accessible and sustainable.
A Transition Fueled by Purpose
Silvana’s entrepreneurial journey began when her co-founder shared his vision of transforming the LEV industry by making battery-powered vehicles a true alternative to gasoline-powered cars. With her expertise in consumer behavior, demand generation, and product-market fit, she was intrigued by the idea of contributing to cleaner cities through electric micromobility solutions. This sparked a journey of discovery, where Silvana and her team recruited experts and engaged with clients, ultimately developing the first vehicle lifecycle management software for light electric vehicles.
The Inspiration Behind FTEX
The idea for FTEX was born from the need to make LEVs more accessible, easier to maintain, and more enjoyable to use. Silvana noticed that many LEV brands, such as e-bikes and scooters, were marketed like traditional cars, often targeting a male-dominated market and neglecting a significant portion of potential users. More importantly, she identified a gap in how brands interacted with customers post-sale.
“At FTEX, we realized that after the point of sale, brands often ‘drop the customer,’ missing valuable opportunities for ongoing engagement,” Silvana explains. FTEX’s software bridges this gap by allowing LEV brands to maintain continuous contact with their customers, offering them education, upgrades, repair options, and recycling services. This approach not only improves customer loyalty but also enables brands to gather essential feedback for developing future products.
Scaling Success
FTEX’s growth trajectory is focused on expanding in the U.S. and European markets. The company has already delivered its solution to thousands of e-bike users, with its software being utilized by both points of sale and end users. “We’re about to scale up,” Silvana says, expressing her excitement for what’s to come. With 500 million LEVs expected on the roads by 2030, FTEX is poised to become a key player in providing seamless repair, maintenance, and complementary services for these vehicles.
Key Takeaways on the Entrepreneurial Journey
For Silvana, one of the major lessons learned through her entrepreneurial journey is the importance of alignment with customers, partners, and investors. “Attracting and collaborating with people who genuinely share the founders’ vision is crucial for growing a trailblazing company,” she notes. This shared mission has driven the company’s growth and fostered a creative synergy that allows FTEX to solve significant problems for its users.
As the LEV market continues to expand, Silvana is energized by the potential to serve millions of users with FTEX’s innovative software, offering solutions for repairs, maintenance, and other services critical to the longevity of LEVs.
The Power of Networking
Silvana credits much of FTEX’s early success to the connections made through the CWN Pathway program. Initially hesitant about the lack of direct industry contacts, she quickly realized the value of networking in Silicon Valley. “The introductions to professionals in electric mobility and relevant funds rapidly expanded our network,” she says. Thanks to these connections, FTEX has secured communication with new clients, investors, and VCs in the U.S., generating significant inbound interest.
What’s Next for FTEX?
Looking ahead, FTEX is laser-focused on scaling its business and expanding its presence in key markets. Silvana and her team are continuously enhancing their platform to provide even more value to LEV brands and their customers. By positioning FTEX as a leader in vehicle lifecycle management, Silvana is committed to driving the future of sustainable transportation forward.
With a clear vision and the right partnerships in place, Silvana Huaman is set to make a lasting impact on the electric vehicle industry, empowering brands and consumers alike to embrace the future of clean, connected transportation.
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