# Springfree Trampoline: Keith Alexander & Steve Holmes

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2019-04-01
- Length: 1h 00m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-04-01-springfree-trampoline-keith-alexander-steve-holmes

## Summary

Keith Alexander, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Canterbury, invented the Springfree Trampoline to eliminate the dangerous steel springs and frames of traditional models. Steve Holmes, a Canadian businessman, purchased the patent from the university and commercialized the design, initially facing rejection from major retailers like Costco before securing a pivotal partnership with Costco Canada. The company scaled production by moving assembly to China while keeping key fiberglass rod manufacturing in New Zealand, eventually growing to over $50 million in annual sales and selling more than 400,000 units.

## Chapters

- [0:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-04-01-springfree-trampoline-keith-alexander-steve-holmes#t=24) Introduction: Keith Alexander and Steve Holmes
- [3:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-04-01-springfree-trampoline-keith-alexander-steve-holmes#t=198) Keith Alexander's Engineering Background and Invention
- [11:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-04-01-springfree-trampoline-keith-alexander-steve-holmes#t=688) Prototyping the Safe Trampoline Design
- [19:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-04-01-springfree-trampoline-keith-alexander-steve-holmes#t=1181) University IP Issues and Finding Steve Holmes
- [27:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-04-01-springfree-trampoline-keith-alexander-steve-holmes#t=1626) Steve Holmes Buys the Patent and Validates the Market
- [31:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-04-01-springfree-trampoline-keith-alexander-steve-holmes#t=1913) Overcoming Retailer Rejection and Securing Costco
- [39:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-04-01-springfree-trampoline-keith-alexander-steve-holmes#t=2369) Scaling Production and the Costco Crisis
- [47:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-04-01-springfree-trampoline-keith-alexander-steve-holmes#t=2834) Pivoting to Direct-to-Consumer and Growth

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Springfree Trampoline (product)
- Costco (company)
- University of Canterbury (company)
- Dyson (company)
- Jim Sinegal (other)
- Siegfried and Roy (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Concept to Market in One Year with Allen Walton of SpyGuy.com [Part 2]](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-02-18-concept-to-market-in-one-year-with-allen-walton-of-spyguy-com-part-2) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [#019 - Chairless chair, with Keith Gunura of noonee, Switzerland](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-03-29-019-chairless-chair-with-keith-gunura-of-noonee-switzerland) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [From Corporate World to Freelancing to Running a Hardware Startup with Roberto Weiser of Developpa](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-29-from-corporate-world-to-freelancing-to-running-a-hardware-startup-with-roberto-w) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [046: Bootstrapping Product Development, Stephanie Cummings & Tal Berke of Shlocker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-28-046-bootstrapping-product-development-stephanie-cummings-tal-berke-of-shlocker) (Product Startup)
- [Against All Odds: Overcoming Huge Setbacks to Sell 5 Million Worldwide](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-05-15-against-all-odds-overcoming-huge-setbacks-to-sell-5-million-worldwide) (It's Only a Prototype)

## Citing this page

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