Economics student Jamie Thornton loves motor racing. So much so, that he has turned a passion project into a business by creating a Remote Control (RC) company called Zebon Ltd.
Jamie: In my first year I joined University of Birmingham Motorsport Club (UBMRC) and quickly found a passion for motor racing. Zebon Ltd spawned from this interest in motorsport.
Having experienced the great expense that motorsport entails, I wanted to create another way for me to race competitively and cheaply. Another major goal, perhaps a bit further down the line, is to reduce the barriers to entry into motorsport, promoting equal opportunity for racing drivers.
The business is exploring a new avenue for remote-control cars, combining technologies used in
the hobby-grade drone industry with remote-control cars. The business aspires
to innovate in the RC car space and create a new way for motorsport enthusiasts
to express themselves.
“I have a target to start selling the product on the market before the end of 2023”
I have received support from the university for my idea and I have attended events run by the B-Enterprising Team.
The start-up programme, Let’s get this Start-Up started provided me with lots of thought
exercises to make sure that I’m going down the right path and that I have a
sound business plan. I also received funding through the B-Enterprising Start-Up Fund. I have also been to multiple meetings/presentations about intellectual property
which have been very informative.
What are the best aspects of starting a business? Never ending
learning, there are always new challenges that require new skills to solve. For
example, I have had to learn various aspects of electronics, CAD, 3D printing
and coding, as well as exercising business and finance related skills.
The more difficult aspects of start-up. I would say when feeling particularly uninspired, self doubt can begin to
creep in and make moving forwards difficult.
Having to explain the idea without having a product to show for it has been a
bit monotonous, however this will become easier when I am selling the
product(s). The business venture also takes time which is difficult alongside my degree!
Name one thing you wish you knew when you started…
answer as I am grateful for everything I have learned so far and all of the
challenges I have experienced have been necessary for me to develop my business
and learn. However I do wish that I knew about the support on offer at the university a little sooner than I did.
lot if you set your mind to it. I’ve developed many new skills from the process
of designing my own product. Also intellectual property rights have been an eye opener (and a
mouth-shutter!).
Added by Bob Lee
Jamie is pictured on the first image (Black helmet, No 37) racing for Birmingham at Buckmore Park
