[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-settings":3,"blogpost-flexidrive-app-founder-interview":76},{"footer":4,"contact_form":6,"chat_widget":11,"accolades":19,"seo_social":67},{"iso_notice":5},"Wolfpack Digital is an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 14001:2015 certified company - © _YEAR_ Wolfpack Digital. All rights reserved.",{"budgets":7},[8,9,10],"Under $50.000","Between $50.000 - 200.000","Over $200.000",{"consent":12},{"greeting":13,"title":14,"body":15,"accept_label":16,"decline_label":17,"declined_message":18},"Awoo! I'm Wolfpack Digital's AI assistant. Ask me anything about our services, process, or team, and if you want a project estimate, I can point you to our AI Estimator.","Data Privacy","\u003Cp>Hi there! We would love to talk with you. 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Come back if you change your mind.",{"winnersOfList":20,"awardsList":33,"inHouseAppImages":50,"certificationsList":54},[21,25,29],{"alt":22,"href":23,"image":24},"European Awards","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theeuropeanawards.eu\u002Fpremiado\u002Fwolfpack-digital-awarded-in-the-app-development-category","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fwinners\u002Feuropean.svg",{"alt":26,"href":27,"image":28},"Webby Awards","https:\u002F\u002Fwinners.webbyawards.com\u002F2024\u002Fwebsites-and-mobile-sites\u002Fresponsible-technology\u002Fresponsible-ai\u002F275408\u002Fequality-ai-fair-and-unbiased-algorithms-to-eliminate-discrimination-in-machine-learning-models","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fwinners\u002Fwebby.svg",{"alt":30,"href":31,"image":32},"Wolfpack Digital — Gold, Digital & Creative Agency Excellence, eir business Chambers Ireland Awards 2026","https:\u002F\u002Fchambersawards.ie\u002F2026-winners\u002F","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fcb786b7ba09fce584e78fac33bc70a07.png",[34,38,42,46],{"alt":35,"href":36,"image":37},"Clutch 1000 List Reveals Top-Rated Business Service Providers of 2023","https:\u002F\u002Fclutch.co\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fclutch-1000-fall-2023","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fawards\u002Fclutch.svg",{"alt":39,"href":40,"image":41},"Clutch Recognizes the 1000 Best B2B Service Providers in its Exclusive 2019 Clutch 1000 List","https:\u002F\u002Fclutch.co\u002Fpress-releases\u002Frecognizes-1000-best-b2b-service-providers-its-exclusive-2019-1000-list","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fawards\u002Fglobal.svg",{"alt":43,"href":44,"image":45},"Mobile App Daily Award","","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fawards\u002Fmobile-app-daily.svg",{"alt":47,"href":48,"image":49},"Manifest Award","https:\u002F\u002Fthemanifest.com\u002Fro\u002Fweb-development\u002Fcompanies","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fawards\u002Fmanifest.svg",[51],{"alt":52,"href":44,"image":53},"Wolfpack Labs","\u002Fimages\u002Fhomepage\u002Fawards\u002Flabs.svg",[55,59,63],{"alt":56,"href":57,"image":58},"ISO 27001 Certification","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.qscert.com\u002Fcs\u002Fissued-certificates\u002F?certID=_7690LD367","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fcertifications\u002Fiso-27001.svg",{"alt":60,"href":61,"image":62},"ISO 9001 Certification","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.qscert.com\u002Fcs\u002Fissued-certificates\u002F?certID=_7690LBDB0","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fcertifications\u002Fiso-9001.svg",{"alt":64,"href":65,"image":66},"ISO 14001 Certification","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.qscert.com\u002Fma\u002Fissued-certificates\u002F?certID=_7690LZSGS","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fcertifications\u002Fiso-14001.svg",{"default_og_image_urls":68,"default_og_image_alt":72,"og_site_name":72,"og_locale":73,"twitter_site":74,"page_type_defaults":75},[69],{"style":70,"url":71},"og","\u002Fimages\u002Fsocial_share_preview.jpg","Wolfpack Digital","en_US","@DigitalWolfpack",{},["Reactive",77],{"title":78,"body":79,"slug":80,"featured_image_urls":81,"meta_tags":106,"reading_time":114,"title_size":115,"tag_list":116,"formatted_published_at":123,"short_description":124,"categories":125,"alt_text":127,"published_at":128,"content_updated_at":129,"formatted_content_updated_at":129,"key_takeaways":130,"faqs":136,"updated_at":149,"canonical_override":44,"no_index":150,"canonical_url":151,"publishers":152},"Interview with the Founder of FlexiDrive on automating the driving lesson industry with a disruptive mobile app","\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">We often hear successful startup stories, and we kind of assume that everything is easy like ABC. Don’t we? \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">The truth is, startup founders know best that before hitting a highway, you get on some bumpy roads and novel paths. Good thing we can learn from their experiences of taking an idea to mature business and everything in between. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>As part of our mission to support entrepreneurial minds, the Wolfpack Digital team decided to share a series of interviews with inspirational entrepreneurs with whom we’ve worked. For instance, check the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fideacracy-app-founder-interview\" target=\"_blank\">interview with the founder of Ideacracy\u003C\u002Fa> from New York, who explained what it was like for him to build a new kind of social media app.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This time, we are heading towards the edtech industry and how traditional learning and education can be digitized using software. Everything started with Raymond Valentine, an Irish entrepreneur, finding the perfect moment to automate the driving lesson industry with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fflexidrive.ie\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">FlexiDrive \u003C\u002Fa>— a disruptive mobile app we helped build.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cbr>\u003Cp>\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>💡 Why did you decide to create the FlexiDrive app, and where did the idea come from?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">When I did my driving lessons, I used a family friend, so I wasn’t really aware of the issues in the industry. Fast forward a couple of years, a lot of my peers are doing their driving lessons, and the majority are sharing bad experiences with me, whether it was the long delays between lessons, lack of flexibility, and\u002For lack of connection with their instructor. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">This made me look into the industry as a whole, and I saw there had been no innovation at all in the past decade. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Websites were poor and outdated, a lot of manually matchmaking from driving schools and no automation or innovation using technology. The idea then sprung to mind when I was juggling all these issues, and a taxi drove past me. It was sort of a lightbulb moment:\u003Cem> “Getting a driving lesson, should be as simple as ordering a taxi.” \u003C\u002Fem>referencing FreeNow (EU Equivalent to Uber). \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">That is when I began my journey of automating the driving lesson industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg alt=\"FlexiDrive founder Raymond Valentine\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Flh6.googleusercontent.com\u002FFKtAeRkGKC9A_kYvgQud2miON4Z-g0iHWTx3riE-QFvFXE4WYdz--GajhidkJWIgo4DT5vRDMXkhqQn796v-3X5obiWAJjlJ6-mdy8MZfUQrsDDQ1S_pjtYY32pOngmqUIisSLiQ\" style=\"width: 269px; height: 337px\">\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\">🛣 What are the main milestones your startup has achieved so far?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">In terms of milestones so far, our beta trials were successful, and we gained a lot of experience during this time. It allowed us to get feedback from driving instructors in the industry 25+ years and feedback from our customers, which in return gave us great insight into what we needed to do moving forward in terms of strategy and development. Also, we were nominated for the \u003Cstrong>Best Use of Mobile\u003C\u002Fstrong> category in the\u003Cstrong> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdigitalmedia.ie\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Digital Media Awards\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> in 2020, which was a great experience so early on.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg alt=\"The FlexiDrive driving lesson booking app on a mobile device\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Flh5.googleusercontent.com\u002FMefDGtAbSndg_D3F_uu9ldYv1tCyHhixnkG-vq26WDyt-GWJQsCTcoshTiW4dC4__w4l-G6Slh-OV6x0cDkYzF0Lm2MAOwYyJ9Fbh0CkOQuZDqdKs7cqTQI5o2lfFDrbVssRkFFV\" width=\"404\">\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\">🏆 What are the main things that differentiate FlexiDrive from other startups, and why do you think you have succeeded in the Best Use of Mobile Category in Digital Media Awards?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Personally, I think our team is very diverse here with great experience in both B2B and B2C markets. We are also technology leaders in the space of app distribution. I believe we were nominated for the “Best Use of Mobile” category by taking advantage of an outdated industry and are boldly disrupting it with technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg alt=\"FlexiDrive app screens for booking driving lessons\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Flh6.googleusercontent.com\u002FFwW7DVbKzY-NWtBHqy8sp2ZihjtpjlCUIQXwMUmOjPUib8T0rBIH4_SQqXN7BcDr6d4BXFeEcOvrVgORYOssCUwUiPl6VXpCHovwHS5VnMvh-hiLa0iATlVw3jwGd0dk0IqpwCHa\" width=\"363\">\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\">⚡️Can you please name a few things you wish you knew before starting the FlexiDrive startup journey?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Firstly, I believe I was very naive when starting this business. As this is my first startup, I expected things to run smoothly, which was not the case. We hit numerous unexpected roadblocks along the way, but the ability to adapt and overcome them is what will separate us in the long run and help towards our vision. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">I am happy we experienced these issues, as this has helped develop a lot of skills in the business world, as well as in my personal life. I believe key factors when building a successful start-up is an original idea, a solid team, a viable business model, and robust execution. One thing that is also crucial, but often forgotten is timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg alt=\"FlexiDrive app interface connecting learner drivers with instructors\" height=\"488\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Flh6.googleusercontent.com\u002F21_PLTrCg1sYKR6VY047GYqXQpf_jCGc8KcKLqQtiUX7TuKHQrQEHCKPYWM30SdJyuDqE9tzG_TjVq7BHO5kXHVgc8RC5wTkPmtdVkhAyCUTKtfcbcxcOIR0JYsi2pzWKiGdgRzE\" width=\"367\">\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\">🚙 Where is FlexiDrive heading to, and what are the plans for the future?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">We want to be the first truly nationwide driving school in Ireland, completely automating the driving lesson industry. Without giving away too much information, we have plans in place to tackle the main issues surrounding the instructor shortage, the long delays, and the tedious paperwork. Once we become established, we would like to enter other regulated markets in the EU and Internationally.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cbr>\u003Cp>\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Each startup story is unique, and FlexiDrive proves that finding an opportunity to innovate an outdated industry is something worth trying. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fteam\" target=\"_blank\">Wolfpack Digital team\u003C\u002Fa> is grateful for the hands-on experience we gained in the process of building the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fprojects\u002Fflexidrive\" target=\"_blank\">FlexiDrive app\u003C\u002Fa>.\r\n\r\nYou can be next! Share your startup story, or let's build together that app you’ve been dreaming about. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fcontact\" target=\"_blank\">Contact us \u003C\u002Fa>and remember to look for opportunities where nobody even considered.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\r\n\u003C\u002Fp>","flexidrive-app-founder-interview",[82,85,88,91,94,97,100,103],{"style":83,"url":84},"640","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F52\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F640\u002FRaymond_Valentina_Interview_FlexiDrive_App_by_Wolfpack_Digital.webp",{"style":86,"url":87},"768","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F52\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F768\u002FRaymond_Valentina_Interview_FlexiDrive_App_by_Wolfpack_Digital.webp",{"style":89,"url":90},"1024","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F52\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1024\u002FRaymond_Valentina_Interview_FlexiDrive_App_by_Wolfpack_Digital.webp",{"style":92,"url":93},"1366","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F52\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1366\u002FRaymond_Valentina_Interview_FlexiDrive_App_by_Wolfpack_Digital.webp",{"style":95,"url":96},"1600","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F52\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1600\u002FRaymond_Valentina_Interview_FlexiDrive_App_by_Wolfpack_Digital.webp",{"style":98,"url":99},"1920","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F52\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1920\u002FRaymond_Valentina_Interview_FlexiDrive_App_by_Wolfpack_Digital.webp",{"style":101,"url":102},"thumb","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F52\u002Ffeatured_image\u002Fthumb\u002FRaymond_Valentina_Interview_FlexiDrive_App_by_Wolfpack_Digital.webp",{"style":104,"url":105},"original","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F52\u002Ffeatured_image\u002Foriginal\u002FRaymond_Valentina_Interview_FlexiDrive_App_by_Wolfpack_Digital.webp",{"title":107,"description":108,"keywords":109,"contact_form:title":110,"contact_form:cta":111,"og:site_name":72,"og:type":112,"og:locale":73,"twitter:card":113,"twitter:site":74,"twitter:creator":74,"og:title":78,"twitter:title":78},"FlexiDrive Founder Interview | Wolfpack Digital","Raymond Valentine, founder of FlexiDrive, on automating the driving lesson industry with a mobile app, the milestones so far, and lessons for founders.","flexidrive, startup founder interview, driving lesson app, edtech, disruptive mobile app, wolfpack digital","contact us","send message","article","summary_large_image","3 min",32,[117,118,119,120,121,122],"FlexiDrive","mobileapplication","EducationApp","DrivingIndustry","AutomationApp","IrishStartup","Apr 21, 2020","Raymond Valentine, founder of FlexiDrive, shares how he set out to automate Ireland's driving lesson industry with a disruptive mobile app, and what he learned along the way.",[126],"mobile-development","Portrait of FlexiDrive founder Raymond Valentine next to the title Interview with the founder of FlexiDrive","2020-04-21T12:31:04.000Z",null,[131,132,133,134,135],"FlexiDrive is an Irish edtech app founded by Raymond Valentine to automate the driving lesson industry.","The idea came from peers' bad experiences with delays, inflexibility, and poor connection with instructors, plus a decade without innovation in the sector.","The guiding vision: getting a driving lesson should be as simple as ordering a taxi.","Early milestones include successful beta trials and a Best Use of Mobile nomination at the 2020 Digital Media Awards.","The founder credits an original idea, a solid team, a viable business model, robust execution, and timing as keys to startup success.",[137,140,143,146],{"answer":138,"question":139},"FlexiDrive is a mobile app that automates the driving lesson industry, connecting learner drivers with instructors in Ireland. It was built to remove long delays, inflexibility, and outdated manual matchmaking from the sector.","What is FlexiDrive?",{"answer":141,"question":142},"FlexiDrive was founded by Raymond Valentine, an Irish entrepreneur. Wolfpack Digital partnered with him to build the app.","Who founded FlexiDrive?",{"answer":144,"question":145},"Wolfpack Digital built the FlexiDrive app for founder Raymond Valentine. See more on our \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fprojects\u002Fflexidrive\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">FlexiDrive project page\u003C\u002Fa>.","Who built the FlexiDrive app?",{"answer":147,"question":148},"FlexiDrive aims to become the first truly nationwide driving school in Ireland by fully automating the industry, tackling instructor shortages, long delays, and paperwork, before expanding to other regulated EU and international markets.","What are FlexiDrive's plans for the future?","2026-07-06T12:24:00.805Z",false,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fflexidrive-app-founder-interview",[153],{"id":154,"author":155,"short_description":156,"role":157,"avatar_urls":158,"cover_urls":166,"linkedin_link":44,"instagram_link":44,"x_link":44,"meta_tags":185,"last_published_at":187,"same_as":188},4,"Valentina","Startup world stalker and innovation hunter, former chess player with a soft spot for history of art. ","Marketing Specialist ",[159,161,164],{"style":101,"url":160},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Favatar\u002Fthumb\u002FValentina_biciuc_marketing_specialist_at_wolfpack_digital.webp",{"style":162,"url":163},"medium","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Favatar\u002Fmedium\u002FValentina_biciuc_marketing_specialist_at_wolfpack_digital.webp",{"style":104,"url":165},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Favatar\u002Foriginal\u002FValentina_biciuc_marketing_specialist_at_wolfpack_digital.webp",[167,169,171,173,175,177,179,181,183],{"style":83,"url":168},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Fcover_image\u002F640\u002FValentina.webp",{"style":86,"url":170},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Fcover_image\u002F768\u002FValentina.webp",{"style":89,"url":172},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Fcover_image\u002F1024\u002FValentina.webp",{"style":92,"url":174},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Fcover_image\u002F1366\u002FValentina.webp",{"style":95,"url":176},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Fcover_image\u002F1600\u002FValentina.webp",{"style":98,"url":178},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Fcover_image\u002F1920\u002FValentina.webp",{"style":101,"url":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Fcover_image\u002Fthumb\u002FValentina.webp",{"style":162,"url":182},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Fcover_image\u002Fmedium\u002FValentina.webp",{"style":104,"url":184},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F4\u002Fcover_image\u002Foriginal\u002FValentina.webp",{"title":44,"description":44,"keywords":44,"contact_form:title":110,"contact_form:cta":111,"og:site_name":72,"og:type":186,"og:locale":73,"twitter:card":113,"twitter:site":74,"twitter:creator":74},"website","2020-08-28T08:56:32.000Z",[]]