Interview with Dana Rušinová, funding manager at AgeVolt.
1. History of the company at a glance
AgeVolt has been developing innovative solutions for cost-effective electromobility since 2019 and was awarded the European Commission’s “Seal of Excellence” in 2020. Thanks to its own HW and SW development, its solutions have already become established in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Lithuania and Kenya, where they are used by clients from retail, real estate, delivery, facility management and public administration.
2. When, why and with which product/service did you start thinking about expansion?
We started to consider expansion after the validation of our 360° solution for cost-effective EV charging, which allows us to operate charging without being tied to a public charging service provider, the so-called CPO, which is a competitive model also abroad. The first opportunities arose in countries with rapidly growing e-mobility, where the market was looking for smart and cost-effective solutions.
3. What are the specifics of the territories?
Individual markets vary in their level of electro-mobility, regulatory environment and level of infrastructure, with Kenya, for example, combining rapid growth, openness to technological innovation and strong demand for innovative EV charging solutions.
4. Which products/services are the most successful in your export portfolio and why?
The most successful export product is a comprehensive charging solution for electric vehicles. It consists of the MyAgeVolt cloud platform for charging management, fleet management and other services, and AC and DC charging stations according to customer needs, with AgeVolt – Slim and Wallbox One, Double being the preferred AC stations. AgeVolt solution is gaining traction due to its modularity, scalability and low operating costs that make e-mobility cost-effective compared to traditional CPO models.
5. What are the most common obstacles you encounter when exporting?
The most common obstacles are different regulatory requirements, long approval cycles, cultural differences in business negotiations and logistics in supplying HW to distant territories.
6. How do you assess the competition in international markets and how do you differentiate yourself?
Competition is particularly strong among CPO-centric solutions, but AgeVolt differentiates itself with a democratic charging model without being tied to a CPO and a platform that combines the key components of charging – charging station, EV, power source and payment method – into one cost-effective and user-friendly ecosystem.
7. How have your export activities changed in recent years in the context of the challenges?
We have focused on markets where electro-mobility is a strategic priority and have moved to a partnership model that allows for faster expansion with lower capital intensity.
8. How do you manage the risks associated with exporting?
We manage risks by diversifying markets, carefully selecting partners, contractually protecting IP, and gradually verifying technological compatibility before deeper market entry.
9. Do you have partnerships with local entities? How do you choose your partners?
Yes, we work with local partners, such as Manyur Technologies in Kenya, who have a strong technical background and knowledge of the local market. We choose partners based on expertise, reputation, complementarity and ability to bring customers in the target segment.
Thank you for the interesting interview.