Our StoryAfter years in the global corporate world and co-founding many VC-backed technology start-ups, Jean Francis (JFK) and Tony wanted to measure the rest of our careers by maximum impact on the world we leave our children and grandchildren.
To start, we wanted to work on this solution with our families. Family-owned and operated means solving problems together with some of the most important people in our lives. So we selected, creating distributed renewable energy at economic parity with coal-fired power plants as the "impossible" task we set out to conquer. After three (3) years of brainstorming, Jean-Francis believed it could be done. And given his track record of revolutionary technology transformations over a 45 year career, we were all willing to bet on him being able to do it. For five (5) more years, the team labored to resolve challenge after challenge. A few years back, the National Research Council Canada saw what JFK had accomplished and signed on to help fund the final stages of development to assure that this technology became available to the world. |
The 3P Windstation Objective |
The 3PWindstation delivers on every objective:
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Why Alternative Energy and Why Family? |
Our faith does inform these decisions in major ways. First, we were given a unique and beautiful planet of which to be stewards. Also, those of us who live blessed lives have an obligation to help our fellow man where we can. With 18% of the world still living in darkness, we have unfortunately not done a great job of either.
We would hope that the family part would be self-evident, but unfortunately again, the world has largely abandoned the concept of commitment to family. As successful entrepreneurs, we know about commitment of a sort. We just want to make sure that strong family bonds are nurtured and developed in whatever we do. |
UPower Values
- Integrity: Every interaction internally and externally must be at the highest level of honesty.
- Loyalty: We live in a microwave / disposable society. People who can be counted on through thick and thin are far too rare. If one of us sounds the alarm, we all come running.
- Value Creation: In every transaction, the customer MUST be better off after the interaction than before.
- Customer Focus: Our customers must be thrilled by doing business with UPower. If we cannot thrill them, we will graciously decline to make that sale.
- Social Impact: Whether it is energy independence for farmers in developed nations, inexpensive clean energy worldwide, or initial energy for a village in a developing nation, UPower's goal is to maximize our impact for good.
- Family: Supporting families is a core value for UPower. We believe that we operate best in cohesive teams where every member is honored and valued for their different contributions.
- Quality: Everything put in the field will stay in the field, period. If not, see value #4.
- Respect: Treat others with dignity, respect, and sensitivity. Appreciate the value of different experiences, perspectives, and ideas. We don't have to agree to be respectful.