We Solve: DIY productsMIKE GALLAGHER and JP Prendergast are the brains behind Tuam-based start-up company, We Solve, which has developed a new ladder stabilising product called Sure Step. The unit attaches to all types of aluminium ladders, works on all surfaces and has no moving parts.

We Solve is part of Enterprise Irelands high potential start-ups programme and recently won €50,000 in equity investment in its competitive start fund awards. The company employs seven people and is manufacturing Sure Step in house. To date the project has been funded by the promoters with support from the Galway County Enterprise Board.

The Sure Step unit, on which a patent is pending, may look like something someone should have thought of before. But Mike Gallagher says that while there are existing devices on the market, they are more complex and more expensive. Our aim was to produce a simpler, safety driven solution at the right price, he says.

Both Gallagher (an accountant) and Prendergast (an engineer) have previous start-up experience and spent 15 months and around €25,000 developing Sure Step. Sales are about to start to the east coast of the US and there is also interest from UK. The unit is available here in DIY outlets. It sells at around €35.

We want to build Sure Step as a brand associated with safety and convenience and are developing it as a suite of ladder accessory products, says Prendergast. We are about to add five new complementary products to the line-up with more to come. We believe this impetus and our brand building strategy will put us well ahead of anyone that might try to copy what were doing.

Setting up has not been easy. Gallagher says they have lived on fresh air and put in a lot of sweat equity over the last 15 months. When youre on a shoestring budget costs associated with patenting and having to pay €1,500 to the ESB up front all add up, he says.

However we had great support from County Enterprise Board and our local AIB branch in Tuam. We have been also fortunate to secure some sub-contracting manufacturing from a neighbouring company, JFC. The companys founder, John Concannon, is a very experienced businessman and he has also mentored us and shared the benefits of his extensive knowledge.

To help cash flow while developing its own products the company has recently become the Irish distributor for UK company, Ambrell, which is involved in induction heating solutions.