Springfree trampoline by Mason Shannon

Early 1990s -1999: First Prototype Formed (Entrepreneurship and Capital)

shamas04 — 2025-02-20 22:29:02 UTC

Determined to innovate trampolines into a safer product his kids can use, he began prototyping. After about 10 years of experimenting with ideas, Keith Alexander released his first prototype. Using seed funding from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, he was able to support his initial research and design costs.

2003/04- Company formed and first commercial sales (Labor and Capital)

shamas04 — 2025-02-20 22:44:33 UTC

After a couple more innovations, launch and early market entry showcases, and academic conferences, Keith publicized it. In 2003, Springfree Trampoline officially launched and began to sell trampolines commercially.

2006- Steve Holmes joins as key investor (Capital)

shamas04 — 2025-02-20 22:54:43 UTC

Steve provided significant influx of capital, as well as strategic guidance and support. Steve began to take on a bigger role within management tasks and provided a network, having similar experience beforehand with consulting, management, and leadership.

2007/08-Partnership with Costco/Steve Holmes takes CEO role (Capital and Entrepreneurship)

shamas04 — 2025-02-20 23:07:59 UTC

Seeing that Costco refused to sell trampolines because they were too dangerous, Keith Alexander took the opportunity to branch them into his innovative design. Starting in Costco Canada, they began to gain bigger traction in nearby markets, and the brand recognition began to grow. Steve Holmes took on the role of CEO in 2008 with his experience and expertise, keeping Alexander for help with technical development and innovative thinking.

2010-Springfree in Retail Stores (Land and Capital)

shamas04 — 2025-02-20 23:12:50 UTC

Springfree continues to grow and appears in other major retailers beyond Costco, growing their reputation even more. They began to sell in specialty outdoor retailers, with their huge trampolines being a staple of advertisements inside and outside of stores.

2011- Global Growth and Recognition (Capital)

shamas04 — 2025-02-20 23:18:24 UTC

The brand has started stapling its safety features, which gain worldwide recognition. Springfree promoted itself as the “safest trampoline” and began coining the term, representing itself as a brand of safety. The product is also seen as a premium brand trampoline.

2014- Cutting ties with Costco (Entrepreneurship and Capital)

shamas04 — 2025-02-20 23:24:43 UTC

The Costco CEO was worried about the image of his company when seeing huge trampolines in stores at grand openings, as he was never huge on trampolines. He decided to end the partnership, giving Springfree about a month to fulfill any last orders. They took that opportunity to maximize orders, but also to expand their name through retail by using previous customers as a “word of mouth” marketing technique.

Present- Expanding reach and innovations (Entrepreneurship and Capital)

shamas04 — 2025-02-20 23:32:11 UTC

Springfree Trampoline continues to make their product even safer, with frequent innovations. Currently they have a very broad market, and selling platforms through their website, other online retailers, specialty outdoor retailers, retail partners, even sometimes in experience centers such as malls, and more.