FOUNDER OF THE MONTH
MEET THE FOUNDER
REVIVER
BY Russell Nichols
How much would you pay to never have to step foot in the Department of Motor Vehicles again ? For less than $ 25 a month , Neville Boston , founder and chief strategy officer of Reviver , is working to make that dream come true .
With digital license plates , his Granite Bay-based startup seeks to transform the automotive industry by turning cars into smart machines .
“ Every year , you ’ ve got to renew your registration , but this is technology that hasn ’ t been updated in decades ,” Boston says . “ We saw an opportunity to develop technology that would take us into the 21st century and beyond when it comes to compliance .”
Renewing registration digitally is only the beginning . The high-tech plate can be personalized or deliver emergency messages . Reviver plans for the plate to also serve as a virtual wallet to pay for tolls , parking and gas . The possibilities are endless , but authorization needs to be approved by each state . So far , Reviver has started selling its plates in California and Arizona , and the plates are legal in several other states . The cost for a four-year subscription for a battery-operated plate is $ 19.95 a month , and a wired plate is $ 24.95 a month .
PHOTO BY TERENCE DUFFY
My backup name for the startup was ................................................... SmartPlate EnerDapt . a sportscaster . If I could have any other job , I ’ d be .....................................................
The book that best represents my approach to business would be ..... ...................................................................................................... “ How to Win Friends and Influence People ” by Dale Carnegie .
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failure , which drove me . My biggest fear about launching was ...........................................
If I could give my younger self a word of advice , that would be .... focus , and take nothing for granted . ...............................................................................................
HOW IMPORTANT IS COLLABORATION WHEN IT COMES TO COMPLIANCE ? “ This is truly a public-private partnership in which we understand the importance of working with state governments to come up with smart , innovative solutions that solve real problems .”
WHAT HAS BEEN A KEY TAKEAWAY FROM THESE PARTNERSHIPS ? “ If you engage and bring people in as partners , you have an opportunity to really do something special . They will feel ownership in the product and be willing to move it forward .”
For more on Reviver , read Russell Nichols ’ Startup of the Month column at comstocksmag . com .
102 comstocksmag . com | September 2021