Member of the Month: Darren Forde

Congratulations to our Member of the Month for January, Darren Forde, founder of Eco Powered Cabinets.

Darren is an accomplished design engineer, EMT and community first responder. A native of Hollymount, County Mayo, his life-saving venture, Eco Powered Cabinets, addresses the challenges of emergency medical care in remote locations.

Winner of the Three’s Grants for Small Businesses in 2023, his work continues to inspire, demonstrating the profound difference one person’s vision can make. He advises:

“Always stay focused on the purpose of your project. For me, it wasn’t about making money but saving lives and that passion resonated with others.”

Did you always envision starting a business?

Not at all. My background is in medical emergency services as an EMT, and I am also a design engineer. It all started less than two years ago when my family and I were climbing Croagh Patrick. It was a tough climb but the kids flew up. I realised how unprepared the summit was for emergencies. There was no power or medical supplies.

I had the idea of designing and patenting a multifunctional emergency unit to store defibrillators and other critical medical supplies. I designed, patented and installed the cabinet on the side of the church in three to four months. It wasn't up there for more than six months and saved a person's life.

Initially, it wasn’t meant to be a business – it was just about solving a problem. But when people saw its potential, things grew from there.

How did it then become a business?

It was a steep learning curve. I used my engineering background to design and patent the cabinet. We have offers coming in from America and Australia and recently set up Eco Powered Cabinets Australia.

Initially, offers came in from bankers and solicitors to invest, but I knew I needed a partner with the right expertise. That’s when I teamed up with Tom Varley, who has experience in stainless steel manufacturing and is good with people. He has a steady team working for him and works quietly in the background. For instance, he has organised eight more units to go to Australia this week.

We are total opposites. He knows the cabinets inside out, and I handle all the promotion and social media. Together, we have scaled production and developed the technology to monitor the cabinets remotely, which has helped streamline operations.

What makes Eco Powered Cabinets unique?

They are multifunctional and versatile. The cabinets are solar-powered and can store medications for cardiac events and allergic reactions, which are standard worldwide. They’re also connected remotely, allowing us to monitor their status in real-time. For instance, we can replace a defibrillator or battery within hours of it being used, especially in Ireland – even if it’s on a remote mountain like Croagh Patrick.

Although they are solar-powered, there is enough room in the unit to hold four to five batteries. We also increased the size of the solar panel slightly, which has improved efficiency by about 85 to 90%. This means that even on a dark or cloudy day the solar from a single battery will keep going for four days.

What challenges did you face while starting?

The biggest hurdle was managing costs and ensuring I wasn’t burdened with overheads like payroll. We solved this by outsourcing manufacturing to different companies for specific components like steel cabinets, solar panels and reflective stickers – so we could focus on assembly and distribution.

Coordinating with councils and adhering to medical standards was another significant challenge, but my background in road safety and engineering proved helpful in navigating these requirements.

How has the business grown since its inception?

Remarkably fast! Less than two years ago it was a sketch on the back of a Coors beer mat. The logo has a mountain on it and I marked out three Xs as spots for where the units needed to be located.

We started installing the units just over six months ago and the cabinets are now installed in several locations, including Australia and we are in talks for units in Canada, Africa and the US.

They’ve already saved three lives. The potential is enormous, as cardiac arrests and allergic reactions can happen anywhere, from mountaintops to highways.

Your cabinets have unique applications depending on the environment. Can you elaborate?

For mountaintops, we include defibrillators, trauma kits and hypothermic gear. For waterways, we add life jackets, throw bags and hypothermia blankets to prevent drowning deaths.

Along highways, the cabinets include fire extinguishers and tools to rescue passengers trapped in vehicles. Each unit is tailored to its environment, ensuring maximum utility.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those starting social enterprises?

Follow your passion. My goal wasn’t to make money; it was to save lives. That purpose attracted support and investors.

I’d also recommend seeking mentorship early. I learnt through trial and error, but having the right guidance can save you time and resources.

How do you see your business evolving in the future?

The potential is global. As demand grows, we’re open to localising production in different countries while maintaining design standards.

With advancements in technology, we can adapt our cabinets to serve a wider range of needs, from monitoring flood levels to tracking foot traffic in remote areas.

How is Eco Powered Cabinets funded?

We’ve been fortunate to receive grants and sponsorships. Local businesses often sponsor cabinets and their branding is displayed on the units.

Grants for community initiatives and greenways have also been helpful. For example, solar-powered cabinets eliminate recurring electricity costs, making them sustainable and budget-friendly for sponsors.

How did you come across Enterprise Nation and how did it help your business?

I stumbled upon Enterprise Nation online while researching grants and support for start-ups. At the time, I wasn’t on social media, so it was a stroke of luck. I learnt about your business funding opportunities and applied.

Winning Three’s Grants for Small Businesses was a game-changer. It allowed us to refine our designs, particularly for components like the solar panel brackets, which are crucial to the cabinet's functionality.

How did this funding help with growth?

At the time we had just started and had no money. It made the difference between getting to international markets like Australia in our first year versus taking five years to expand. The grant helped us move faster and take on challenges like adapting the cabinets for diverse environments.

I always say having organisations like Enterprise Nation onboard is vital for start-ups – whether it’s through funding or mentorship.

Given your fundraising success, what advice would you give entrepreneurs seeking funding for a social enterprise?

Don’t try to figure everything out alone. If I’d known about Enterprise Nation or similar resources earlier, it would’ve saved me a lot of trial and error. Look for mentors and organisations that can guide you. When your idea is rooted in making a real impact – like saving lives – it’s easier to attract support.

Always stay focused on the purpose of your project. For me, it wasn’t about making money but saving lives and that passion resonated with others.

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