Pogo CarShare Mercer Warehouse

Kieran Ryan and James Kwan, co-founders of Pogo CarShare, both went to the University of Alberta to pursue a business degree, knowing they eventually wanted to start their own company.  As the CEO and President, Kieran came up with the idea of Pogo CarShare after moving to Calgary and observing car-sharing there. He realized that no car-sharing companies existed in Edmonton and it would be a great opportunity to bring the service to the community. Thus, in October 2014, Pogo CarShare was born.

Currently, the business operates in Mercer Warehouse’s entrepreneurial hub. In early 2016, Allison Harrison, who possesses a degree in public relations from MacEwan University, was brought into the company as their marketing and communications manager. “Honestly, the feeling of community here is like no other,” Allison says about the location. “Each business is going through the exact same hurdles, so you can lean on each other when you have questions or problems. It’s such a supportive and amazing environment to be a part of.”

Co-founder Kieran believes in the company so much that he even sold his car and takes Pogo, his bike or public transportation to work every day, says Allison. Passion is what keeps the whole team going, especially when the focus is spreading awareness of the car-sharing service to the people of Edmonton. “Edmonton has always been a driving city – getting people on board with the idea is difficult to begin with because they drive their own cars,” says Allison. “Car-sharing is a new idea that is huge in places like Europe and other Canadian cities, but it’s not well known in Edmonton.  Car-sharing awareness is a challenge.”