2024-10-24
31 分钟We explore innovative solutions for urban living and enhancing quality of life in cities. First, we meet the founder of Urby, a smart development company that blends apartment living with the hospitality flair of boutique hotels. Then: we catch up with Markus Freitag, founder of compact cargo-bike company Flinc, which is reshaping the way that Switzerland rides. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello and welcome to the Entrepreneurs on Monocle Radio.
The show all about inspiring people, innovative companies and fresh ideas in global business.
Today's program is all about innovative solutions for urban living and enhancing quality of life in our cities.
First, we'll meet the founder of a super smart development company.
There's a problem in the world where people are not connecting enough.
I think it's really important to continue to make efforts to bring us back to humanity, to have human interaction.
And so Irby was really where people would connect with each other, feel better and effectively create community.
And later we'll meet the founder of a compact cargo bike company that's reshaping the way Switzerland rides.
There are a lot of people, they went around with folding bicycles and on the other side you have like the huge cargo bicycles.
But in between there I think is the sweet spot for flink.
This is the Entrepreneurs with me, Tom Edwards, you're listening to the Entrepreneurs.
David Barry is the founder and CEO of Urbie, a real estate development company that blends apartment living with the hospitality flair of boutique hotels.
Since launch in 2014, Irby's aimed to close the gap between traditional residential life and their personalised experience of high end accommodation.
Today, Irby boasts six open properties in the U.S.
in cities like Dallas and New York, and there are nine more in active development, including in Washington D.C.
s dynamic yards neighborhood.
Beyond Irby Barry is a prominent venture investor backing lifestyle brands like Peloton.
He's also been involved in iconic properties such as New York's Chelsea Hotel and London's Chiltern Firehouse, just steps from Monacle's HQ Midori House.
I'm delighted to have David here with us today.
David, a warm welcome.