October Jacqueline Pommier-Freschi Tel: +33 (0)

Transcription

1 October 2018 Jacqueline Pommier-Freschi Tel: +33 (0)

2 1.ENKO IN SHORT ENKO, a revolution in the world of running Today, Running is very popular all around the world. However, everyone knows that it causes traumas on joints. After having reached a certain age or weight, many running fanatics give up on their sport and start cycling and swimming in preference. It is the unfortunate reality. Running shoes you can find on the market do not reduce vibrations, nor cushion strides enough. Even worse, their performances do not last. Classic soles made of supple material end up by subsiding. As they do not play their role anymore, the shoes become useless. ENKO, The world s best cushioning That is why, on a market focused on design and lacking big innovations, the ENKO running shoe is a real technological breakthrough. Designed and manufactured by the French start-up company ENKO, this running shoe is using an exclusive, mechanical and configurable cushioning system: a double patented sole, made of more than 50 parts and including a set of springs, matching runner s bodyweight. Thanks to this revolutionary sole, the ENKO running shoe cushions shocks better than any other shoe in the world. 2

3 Preserve your health while running with ENKO The ENKO running shoe has unique and sustainable qualities: Incredible vibration and shock reduction at each impact on the ground, energy restitution, adaptability to all types of strides, a record lifespan without changes in performance In short, it allows leisure runners to practice their sport without damaging their health. It can also help them to re-start running. ENKO frees runners so they can keep their passion alive. ENKO, a French success story The ENKO running shoe is a 100% French innovation. It has been designed and developed by Christian Freschi, a mechanical engineer and a running enthusiast. This shoe is the result of 12 years of R&D and tests. It is made in France, in Castelnaudary (near Toulouse), and sold by the start-up company founded and managed by Christian Freschi and his wife Jacqueline Freschi. ENKO, awarded at the 2016 Las Vegas CES Launched in 2015, with a limited budget, the ENKO running shoe quickly caught the interest of running fanatics and increased its notoriety thanks to social networks. It has received several prizes. In particular, it has been awarded a prize at the 2016 Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show in the "Fitness, Sports and Biotech" category. Thus, ENKO became one of the 30 most innovative start-ups of the year. Only available online for US$372 (299 ), the ENKO running shoes are used in more than 50 different countries. 3

4 2. RUNNING MARKET Running and Health Running is booming worldwide 4

5 An activity with an impact on health Running is paradoxical. You can practice it to stay fit or to lose weight, even though it can damage your body. You can run for pleasure, despite it being the cause of unbearable pain. What can we do? How to reconcile running pleasure with good health? The most important point in a running shoe: the cushioning quality When you are running, each time your feet land on the ground, your body gets a shock. If the soles of your shoes do not absorb shocks, or if they are worn out, you are putting your health at risk. Pain and bad posture can result. The repeated shocks damage the body: joints, tendons, ligaments (of the knee and back in particular). It generates micro-traumas leading to more severe pathologies, such as herniated disks, lumbago, tendonitis, sprain These can make a runner give up his sport. To preserve your health, it is important to use shoes with a good cushioning. Shoes manufacturers focused on design Running shoes manufacturers are very creative in terms of design (shape, colour, materials ) and marketing (partnerships, advertising and sponsorship ). Despite that, they never have been able to provide a technical solution, to cushion impacts caused by running in an efficient and durable way, nor taking the runners weight into consideration. Classic running shoes cushion shocks with foam, gel or even air. These materials, even if they provide good cushioning, get worn out easily and do not fully cushion shocks. Result: The cushioning of classic running shoes is not efficient after km of running. Thus, it is necessary to change shoes regularly to renew and keep a good cushioning to avoid energy waste. In addition, classic running shoes do not make cushioning differences between runners of 45 or 105 kg. Whatever their weight, runners get quite similar shoes. 5

6 3. THE ENKO RUNNING SHOE When the foot is touching the ground, the energy is completely lost. Why is ENKO revolutionary? ENKO allows everyone who loves running to be able to practice this sport The ENKO running shoes have been developed for men and women of all ages, running for pleasure, who are looking to maintain good health. Their main purpose is not to improve performance during competition, but: - to improve physical fitness, - to prevent pain and injuries, - to make it more comfortable to run, - to get back into running after a surgery or a pregnancy - to run in spite of having pathologies directly linked to running or being overweight. The ENKO running shoe is an innovative, high technology product. Its patented double sole required 12 years of R&D. It is made of more than 50 different parts. That is the reason why we consider this shoe is a technological prowess. 6

7 A revolution in 5 points The cushioning of the ENKO running shoe is: 1. Reducing shocks when the foot impacts the ground 2. Matching runner s weight 3. Fitting every type of stride 4. Giving back the energy collected km full cushioning quality guaranteed 1 ENKO protects the body with its exceptional cushioning system The ENKO running shoe cushions the impacts caused by running on 25 millimetres, where classic running shoes only cushion strides between 3 and 5 mm (sole compression). With the ENKO running shoe, impacts are smoother. The stride becomes more fluid. That is the reason why the ENKO running shoe decreases joints pain and injuries risk while running. It protects the body and avoids being forced to give up running. 2 ENKO is the only shoe fitting runner s weight The ENKO running shoe is the only one fitting your bodyweight. You do not only choose your shoe size and colour, you also select the cushioning level corresponding to your bodyweight. ENKO offers 7 different levels of cushioning, corresponding to 7 weight ranges from 45 to 115 kg. It works by 10 kg brackets. Thus, each runner can run with fully custom shoes. This is an ENKO worldwide exclusivity... 7

8 3 ENKO suits all types of strides: Overpronator, supinator and neutral There are 3 types of runners: the overpronators, the underpronators (or supinators) and the neutrals... However, there are runners who do not know their stride type, and not all manufacturers adapt their shoes to the 3 strides styles... Thanks to the linking arm of its double sole, the ENKO running shoe is suitable to all types of runners. It naturally corrects overpronation and underpronation. Thus, with the ENKO running shoe there is no need to ask questions... 4 ENKO gives the energy back to help runners run further The 2 springs of the cushioning system softly give you back all the energy from your previous stride, when you are lifting your heels to do the next one. Thus, the ENKO running shoe is a racing assistance It reduces energy loss and tiredness and it helps you push forward. This way, the ENKO running shoe allows you to run longer with a most efficient stride. 8

9 5 ENKO lasts longer The ENKO running shoes' lifespan is much longer than that of "classic" shoes. The cushioning system is able to make more than Km, with no change in its cushioning quality. This is 5 to 6 times more than a «classic» running shoe, which you have to change after 300 to 400 km. To keep your ENKO shoes in a good shape, you only need to clean them with water and to replace the studs of the sole, using the spanner provided, when they start to be worn out. 9

10 ENKO running shoe product information sheet 19 sizes: UE 37 to 47,5 US 5 to US 13 7 weight ranges: 45-55, 55-65, 65-75, 75-85, 85-95, , kg Replaceable springs: chrome steel - 3 colours Upper shoe: 5 colours Upper sole: polyamide Lower sole and cushionning system (Polyamide, chrome steel, titanium, Nylatron, carbon fiber, Teflon ) Replaceable studs: polyamide and polyurethane Weight: 380 g in size 42 Delivered with 6 spare studs and a spanner. Only available at Guarantee: 3 years, cushioning system km In one click, you switch from walk to run mode A lever allows you to switch from walk to run mode. On the walk mode, you can use the shoes for your everyday activities. On the run mode, the cushioning system is engaged, and the ENKO shoe is offering its exceptional cushioning and energy restitution qualities. 10

11 4. THE ENKO COMPANY ENKO, a running start-up French shoes ENKO is based in the south of France (near Toulouse). Design is French. Research and production are fully made in France, in its workshop. The upper shoes production is outsourced outside France, because there is no supplier for this part in France anymore. The 50 parts sole is fully made in ENKO workshop. By completely controlling the conception and production process, ENKO is able to provide high quality products. Sustainable shoes ENKO is concerned about company social responsibility. It has chosen to manufacture its shoes in France to control its production, but also to support local employment and to reduce its carbon footprint. All its products are made in recyclable materials and the shoes are shipped in reusable fabric bags. Awarded innovation and know-how Due to its innovative and highly technological characteristics, the ENKO running shoe has been awarded several times since its launch. In January 2016, ENKO got an award at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronic Show, in the "Fitness, Sports and Biotech" category. This event is the world's most popular tradeshow for technological innovation in consumer electronics. The ENKO running shoe was one of the 200 best innovations of the year A few months earlier, it got an "Observeur du design" award. Since December 2017, ENKO is "French Fab" approuved. 11

12 A start-up catching attention Sports and health professionals have a strong interest in ENKO. The company is working with two top athletes for the development of its products. ENKO is collaborating with Menouar Benfodda*, a French elite runner, and Nuria Oyanguren an Argentine Ultra-Marathon champion. Even if the ENKO running shoes are not used in competition, they are perfectly adapted to top athletes conditioning, as they decrease injury risk. * Menouar Benfodda is an elite runner competing in track running, cross-country and marathon. He runs for Martigues running club, one of the best club in France. He has competed and won events in several disciplines. He is currently holding the World record of Marathon running wearing a suit. Nuria Oyanguren Menouar Benfodda, Paris Half-Marathon 2018 (1h12 14 ) Already a success story Christian and Jacqueline Freschi, founders of ENKO, used their creativity, know-how and persistence to convince running fans, but also financial and economical worlds. They found business partners to pursue their work of research and innovation, in the aim to develop their company: patent filing, purchase of equipment and production tools, facilities, recruitment They achieved to develop ENKO sales and notoriety in France and in more than 50 different countries. Today, 4 years after having been created, this small French start-up has found its place in a very competitive market. 12

13 2004 Christian Freschi starts his researches and tests 2008 First prototype of the ENKO running shoe January, 2014 Creation of the SAS ENKO by Christian and Jacqueline Freschi January, 2015 Commercial launch of the ENKO running shoe February-March, 2015 Crowdfunding campaign on the American platform Indiegogo November, 2015 «Coup de Pousse» award December, 2015 «Etoiles de l'observeur du Design» award January, 2016 ENKO is awarded a CES award in the "Fitness, Sports and Biotech" category December, 2017 ENKO gets the "French Fab" label Share capital Founders: 75% Capitol Angels: 14% GSF (11%) 13

14 5. THE FOUNDERS Christian et Jacqueline Freschi The passion of Running and Innovation shoes story began ten years before that. In 2014, Christian Freschi and Jacqueline Pommier-Freschi founded the ENKO company. However, the ENKO running A taste for innovation Christian Freschi, a precision mechanical engineer and a running enthusiast, was not able to run anymore, due to back problems (a degenerative disc disease associated to a herniated disk). Since 1987, Christian Freschi was leading an aeronautical company. Thus, he had an industrial tool for the design of mechanical parts thanks to his job. As he could not find a pair of shoes with enough cushioning to limit his pain, he decided to use his engineering skills to create a shoe that would allow him to get back into running. "I worked with all these technical tools to conceive a mechanical cushioning system able to go beyond what other running brands were offering, in terms of shock absorption." said Christian Freschi Creative and persistent Before allowing the greatest number to enjoy the shoe of his dreams, it took Christian Freschi 12 years of researches and tests, to develop a product that works properly and provides all the guarantees to users. The challenge was to find a way to put all the mechanical components into the sole of the shoe, while making sure it was still a comfortable shoe respecting runner's natural stride. Christian Freschi started his work inside the barn of his south of France farm, based near Toulouse. All his free time was dedicated to his project. 14

15 In 2008, Christian Freschi got good results and he filed a first patent in France, to try his cushioning system on other people than himself. In addition, he worked with health professionals. In 2014, he filed a second international patent. No other manufacturer did what he did. Some tried to develop a mechanical cushioning system without succeeding. Christian Freschi continued his researches until the ENKO G4.1 (the 4th product generation) was born. These shoes allowed his designer to run again without pain. 15

16 Start-up entrepreneurs The company activity started in This year, ENKO pre-sold 300 pairs of shoes via an American crowdfunding platform. The funds collected allowed the company to do a market study. Christian and Jacqueline Freschi then transformed their presentation website into a commercial one. The result being 300 additional pairs sold. Sales have steadily increased since then. The two founders share responsibilities in the company management: Christian is in charge of product development and conception, meanwhile Jacqueline takes care of administrative work, marketing and sales. Respectively aged of 61 and 58 years old, Christian and Jacqueline Freschi are discovering and learning For the love of running «I competed and ran by pleasure. At 50 years old, I got back problems. When I showed my radiographs to my sports doctor, he told me to stop running, because this sport is creating traumas and in my case it was making my back even worse. It started from here. My back was not particularly painful but my doctor advised me to swim and cycle. However, I love running too much!» Christian Freschi start-up management, fund raising, e-commerce, community management and press relations, to live and share their passion for running and innovation. Animated by serendipia «Discover things I did not intend to, makes me move forward. This notion of serendipia is driving me. I do not consider myself as an inventor, but when I start making a prototype, I see what is happening. This leads me into unique inventions configurations. I am not an artist, but sometimes I have a thought for musicians and painters, who create their artwork. For them, like for me, it is very difficult to reach a final outcome. I have tens of prototypes in mind, and I never stop thinking about evolutions for my invention. My vision is to create future according to what I meet through time.». Christian Freschi (Interview by Ysis Percq for La Croix) Media Center: Website: 16