When Taiwo Oyewole set out to take on theft with Vuga Tech, he wasn’t originally thinking about vehicles.
“A friend of mine and I had looked into property theft with jewellery stores, and we were alarmed at the rate at which it was happening,” Oyewole said. “Especially in Kitchener, which has had a reputation for a safer environment.”
The idea started with loss prevention for jewelry stores and home owners. But the more Oyewole and his co-founder explored options, the more they ran into questions around liability, especially for store owners. So they pivoted to a bigger target: auto theft.
“We said, okay, let’s target a much larger market, which is the vehicle segment itself,” he said.
Flatten the curve of car crime
At first, Oyewole says they tried to redesign an earlier concept for cars but hit a wall.
“At first, we tried to redesign an earlier concept for cars, but we hit a wall. Then, another iteration came, and we asked, 'How many ways can you immobilize a vehicle?' There’s electronic immobilization, and there’s also mechanical immobilization. The tires are just one way to mechanical immobilization, and they are needed for the vehicle to move
His research led him to central tire inflation systems, used in military vehicles and farm equipment. But they were far too complex.
“We only need to deflate the tires,” Oyewole said. “The only other way thieves can get away is to come with four spare tires to be able to get the car away, or come with a tow truck.”
“That was a critical question. If we puncture the tire, we’re damaging people’s property. Our goal is to prevent loss, so we found a way to safely deflate tires without damaging the tires while ensuring the safety of the vehicle occupants and other road users. That’s where our innovation comes in through our proprietary design and technology.”
Lessons from the lab and life
Oyewole is no stranger to startups. As an advisor and coach, he’s worked with more than 200 entrepreneurs over the past three years across different accelerators and programs.
Before Vuga Tech, Oyewole launched several ventures, including a power inverter company, a marketing agency and an IT outsourcing company. He says he’s had as much success as he’s failed.
“That combination has helped me create a balance so I can sift through what’s important and what’s not really important,” he said. “For me, the most important question is always who’s the customer and why would they buy.”
Vuga Tech currently has a working prototype proven in a lab setting.
“We’re inching closer,” said Oyewole. “We need to get a test facility, a testing partner, create a test plan, and get a vehicle in a regulated environment. Working with accredited partners and providers gives us credibility and validation.”
Real talk, real feedback
Oyewole isn’t interested in empty praise.
“I’m always on the hunt for negative feedback,” he said. “Because it’s easy to get blindsided if everybody says, ‘Oh, it’s a good thing.’ I need to know why someone might say it won’t work or why they won’t use it.
He’s quick to remind others that no solution fits everyone.
“It’s different things for different people,” he said. “And over time, you get to appreciate everybody’s perspective.”
Marketing to microchips
Oyewole’s background blends marketing, tech and psychology.
“My first degree is in psychology,” he said. “I’ve owned a power inverter company, selling power inverters and solar panels. I’ve owned a marketing agency. I have one or two startups that are still in stealth mode.”
Persistence, he says, is what ties it all together.
“‘No’ doesn’t mean ‘no’ to me,” he said. “It just means ‘no’ from that person. That’s it. So I keep moving on.”
A boost from Bootcamp
Vuga Tech took part in the Communitech Startup Bootcamp and pitched at the showcase event in June.
“I think it’s been a phenomenal experience,” Oyewole said. “I came in knowing exactly what I wanted.”
He was deliberate in how he used the program, seeking out just the right conversations.
“One of the co-founders [of another company] outlined where I need to go, and I’m genuinely convinced that his advice has saved me about 24 months in development time.”
Beyond connections and advice, Bootcamp helped build a strong founder network.
“We meet regularly, bounce ideas, brainstorm, pick each other’s brains,” he said. “They help you see clearly how to conserve your energy. It’s not necessarily because they’re subject matter experts, but it’s a fresh perspective.”
Building from the ground up
Oyewole’s approach shows in how he talks about building a company.
“It’s not just, ‘Oh great idea, go build it, take it to market,’” he said. “Then it’s going to fall flat on its head.”
Instead, he spends time speaking to lawyers, tech experts, insurers and future customers so he can fine-tune everything from compliance to user experience.
“People want to see that there’s been some careful thought,” he said. “From the user experience, the various use cases, and even the impact on the perpetrators of the crime.”
A community with traction
The support from Waterloo Region’s tech ecosystem has been important in Oyewole’s journey as an entrepreneur.
Vuga Tech is a tenant at the Communitech Hub, where Oyewole has found both community and practical support.
“From the staff to the advisors, and the tenancy staff here has been phenomenal as well,” said Oyewole. “It’s been a very great community to be a part of.”
“My recommendation to other entrepreneurs is to always be clear about what you want,” he said. “Because the community can only deliver on what the community has the capacity to deliver.”
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