At 28, Maurice Sheehy is the CEO and founder of Fleet, a peer-to-peer car rental app which allows users to rent out their cars when they are not in use and enables those in need to hire a car when required, welcoming a dramatic change to the system of transportation.

“Fleet app is available on Android and IOS. We’ve had over 26,000 downloads to date and recently launched our website jointhefleet.com, which has the same functionality as the app,” says Maurice Sheehy.

“The individual can upload a car or rent a car through the website and it gives users the opportunity to browse the vehicles on offer in the area they are visiting or in their locality in the Republic and in Northern Ireland.”

Airbnb

The Wicklow-based business was launched in April 2017 and is modelled off Airbnb.

“The concept came when I was on a trip. We booked accommodation through Airbnb while going down the traditional rental route of vehicle hire. We had a bad experience of renting a car. We queued for over an hour and ended up paying double what we were originally quoted,” explains Sheehy.

“We proceeded to the Airbnb and the conversation of a peer-to-peer service arose because the owner’s vehicle was left parked in the driveway while we were there. Imagine how easy it would have been if we had of rented her car directly after the Airbnb, that’s when the market research kicked in.”

Cost

With the expensive baggage that comes with owning a motor, Fleet offers a solution to those who need a car but not all day everyday.

“Fleet gives people the opportunity to make money from their vehicle when they are not using it. Data released by AA in a recent study showed that the cost of car ownership in Ireland is over €10,000 per year,” says Sheehy.

“We’ve had people who have made €4,500 from renting out their vehicle. If done correctly and the owners are quite pro-active, they can make a bit of cash which could improve their quality of life.”

For the rural community and tourists, this modern mode of transportation may have a huge appeal.

“Our product could be hugely beneficial to the farming community who may not be using their cars all the time or may have a spare car that they could rent out to locals or tourists. The transport links around the major cities are good but if you are a tourist and you want to explore Kerry, it can be difficult to source another means of transport. We hope to provide that while also providing individuals with the opportunity to earn additional income from utilising an underused asset.”

Students

There is an age restriction in relation to those who can use Fleet but Sheehy has plans to alter this.

“You have to be 25 or over. This is something we are hoping to reduce within the next six months to 21 and over. Young individuals are interested in this, those who don’t want the hassle of owning a car but have a driving licence. Fleet gives people the opportunity to only have to pay insurance when they are using the vehicle.”

Gaining an insurance partner was the biggest hurdle for the Wicklow native.

“If we didn’t have insurance, we didn’t have a service but luckily AXA was very forward thinking and we have a partnership with them. They could see that the future of mobility is shifting and they wanted to get involved,” explains the budding entrepreneur.

“They provide fully comprehensive insurance and 24/7 break down assistance for every rental transaction that goes through the platform. The owner and the renter can rest assure that they are fully covered.”

Luck and the home farm

It takes money to start any business and a bit of luck never goes amiss.

“I grew up on a farm in Wicklow. My father had a suckler herd and we now breed thoroughbred racehorses,” explains Sheehy.

“When I was 18, I bought a mare and a foal and I got a bit lucky. The foal turned out to be quite good and I sold him in the Cheltenham sales.”

Following the sale of the horse,, Sheehy was able to start his first business.

“I opened up two gyms and successfully sold them. I then launched Fleet and to help the business I sold my house, which I originally bought from the proceeds of the sale of the horse. So it all stems from the horse.”

Young Entrepreneur

Sheehy won Ireland’s best young entrepreneur and best start-up in Wicklow and in the southeast regionals with his business Fleet, and is now in the running for the overall title.

“We’re in the finals which is on the 4 March in The Foundry in Google,” says Sheehy. “We will be competing against brilliant businesses run by young people. We will give it a good shot.”

With his business continuing to boom, Sheehy has goals set for Fleet.

“The main priority is to cement our place as the leading sharing market place within Ireland and Northern Ireland. I want to be active within the UK by the end of the year and we hope to push out to Australia and New Zealand.” CL

If you would like more information on Fleet visit Join the Fleet