Frank Heidinger of HALEVAI on Marine Conservation, Electric Boats, and the Power of Marginal Gains

Mar 21, 2024

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Frank Heidinger believes that lots of small improvements over time can create a huge impact, and he’s using that concept to electrify the recreational boating industry, responsible for 1% of global carbon emissions.

Frank is the founder and CEO of HALEVAI, a cutting-edge company making high-performance, fully electric recreational boats that will reduce the industry’s environmental footprint, shorten supply chains, and bring more manufacturing jobs to the U.S. A hospitality industry veteran and lifelong ocean advocate, Frank shares how prioritizing customer experience, committing to incremental improvement, and embracing a “We Will” vision of the future can truly make all the difference.

Hear Frank talk about the idea that led him to launch HALEVAI, combining materials sciences, design, and engineering to build boats, and the exciting future for (water-based) electric vehicles.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Frank Heidinger on energy, hospitality, and the natural environment

00:39 Conor Gaughan introduces Frank and HALEVAI

04:10 Brooklyn beginnings, creating experiences, and sustainable hospitality in the Maldives

13:58 The idea for electric boats, initial obstacles, and developing a design

20:30 The recreational boating market and marginal improvements

29:10 Pitching to investors, the spirit of innovation, and creating impact

36:30 Sustainability in luxury, open sourcing, and prioritizing customers

41:22 Frank’s vision for a sustainable future and where to learn more

45:43 Wrap up and end credits

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