Early Life and Education
JoeBen Bevirt's journey began in the Last Chance community in Santa Cruz County, California. His name was inspired by a character in Ken Kesey's novel, 'Sometimes a Great Notion'. Bevirt's early interest in engineering was evident from his high school years, where he built one of the world's first full-suspension mountain bikes. He graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1991. He pursued his passion further by earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.
Rise to Success
Bevirt's career is marked by a series of successful ventures. In 1999, he co-founded Velocity11, which developed robotic laboratory systems for life sciences research. The company was acquired by Agilent Technologies in 2007. In 2006, he founded Joby Inc., a consumer products company that created the Gorillapod flexible camera tripod. However, his most significant achievement came with the founding of Joby Aviation in 2009. His vision was to create an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, aiming to revolutionize urban air mobility. Joby Aviation went public in 2021 through a SPAC merger.
Key Business Strategies
Joby Aviation's strategy centers on developing and operating an all-electric air taxi service. Bevirt's approach involves integrating advanced technology, securing strategic partnerships, and obtaining necessary certifications. The company's focus on sustainability and quiet operation, using electric propulsion, is a key differentiator. Key partnerships include Toyota and the U.S. Air Force, bolstering production capabilities and technological development. Joby plans to launch commercial operations as soon as 2025.
Philanthropy
While specific amounts are not readily available in the search results, Bevirt has been involved in various initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and societal impact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bevirt co-founded SummerBio to provide affordable PCR tests.
