You have to start somewhere – right? Ashley Vaughn, founder and operational strategist of Vaughn’s Consulting and creator of EVALV, wants to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. And that she is doing – starting her EVALV project with Tabor 100 and VertueLab. EVALV was a business idea she presented at a contest-like program event called the 45Camp at the Tabor hub in front of peers and judges early this year. EVALV was one of the award recipients of the 45Camp to receive grant money that has allowed Vaughn to jumpstart her business idea.

The 45Camp is a program to introduce and empower aspiring and underrepresented entrepreneurs to mainstream industry leaders. Entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to pitch their innovating startup projects. The program includes a 3-day workshop to introduce ideation and business modeling; a 10-week pre-accelerator period to focus on market research and product development; and another 10-week accelerator period for entrepreneurs to focus on socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Tabor 100’s 45Camp is in partnership with VertueLab, a local nonprofit organization accelerating and funding climate innovations that enable a just transition. It’s a partnership of a $350K investment to support Washington’s‬ entrepreneurial ecosystem.

EVALV is a project to transform the EV charging experience and provide universal, inclusive and seamless access to adapters at public charging stations. The goal is to provide EV adapters that complement existing stations for drivers to simply charge EV cars regardless of the car models’ compatibility. EVALV adapters too would work with existing charging infrastructure without the need of further hardware. Further, the EVALV program offers innovative solutions to climate challenges.

“As an EV owner, I personally encountered the frustration of running out of range in my Tesla after visiting two different charging stations listed on the map,” said Vaughn, when asked how EVALV was started. “Both stations were incompatible with my vehicle. The adapter I purchased left me stranded, exacerbating my range anxiety. This experience highlighted the urgent need for a reliable solution.”

The project is making tremendous progress in her overall business endeavor. The vision to revolutionize the EV charging experience has garnered significant interest and support from investors and partners alike. EVALV has partnered with a design team from the University of Washington, and a firm to develop the software and technology infrastructure.

Vaughn anticipates a soft launch of the project this coming November, which will be announced via website and other digital marketing platforms to point customers toward a mobile phone app they will be able to download. Customers will then test the functionality of both the hardware and software components of EVALV.

“One of the first EVALV lockers will be placed at or near a public charging station in southwest Washington, close to the Interstate-5 corridor,” announces Vaughn. The project plans to expand its footprint across major urban areas and underserved communities who have limited access to sustainable technological solutions in energy and climate.

She emphasized that business ideas are something all entrepreneurs have, and sometimes it takes a team to help you get it off the ground. Vauhn said teaming with Tabor 100 and VertueLab have been key to identifying feedback loops. It is their different perspectives that have enlightened any blockers from her line of vision.

“Failing is a part of testing during a process and it is something that will often happen. Validating your product or service offerings with people who need it most is the only way to determine if someone will buy it,” Vaughn said. “In the words of one of my favorite childhood educators – go ahead – take chances, make mistakes and get messy!”

Tabor 100 will present a $25K award to EVALV this September. Vaughn has directed the award money to be used in finalizing the software application for cell phone markets. On the front end, EVALV initially received a 45Camp $5K award from Tabor 100 several months ago. Those funds were used towards the start-up operational costs, namely resources, operations, marketing, and software expenses.

Vaughn credits Tabor 100 and VertueLab in being the catalyst to unlock her potential. “Not only did they foster an environment to be among a growing BIPOC entrepreneurial community – they also provided the tools and resources needed to move EVALV forward,” she said. “I have been both humbled and honored by this experience and can’t wait to take part in lifting others,” said Vaughn.