David Lyke ‘23 has always been a problem-solver at heart. Growing up in a small town he started his first company as a freshman in high school as an IT consultant helping students, businesses, and nonprofits find their IT needs. He quickly learned the value of resourcefulness and innovation—two traits that would shape his entrepreneurial journey. Though his background is in mechanical engineering with a degree from Marquette University, David was never content with just technical problem-solving. He had a deep curiosity about business and market strategy, which led him to blend both worlds by attending the ESTEEM Graduate Program. Today, as the founder of Electric Vehicle Gear (EVG)--formerly Tangler Wrangler–he and his team are bringing practical solutions to EV owners while navigating the challenges of growing a hardware startup.

David’s inspiration came from personal experience. As an EV owner, he grew frustrated with his charging cable, which often tangled with no convenient storage solution. “I have an EV and found the pain myself, just throwing the cable in the trunk,” he says. Rather than wait for a fix, he took matters into his own hands. What started as a simple idea quickly became a viable business, due to the encouragement of his peers who pushed him to take the leap. “[My] ESTEEM peers gave me the kick in the pants to make this product a reality.” Since launching, David has remained committed to continuous iteration and learning from customers. Engaging with fellow EV owners revealed additional challenges, leading to the rebrand as Electric Vehicle Gear, a company focused on solving multiple pain points in EV ownership. “Now, I’m always interacting with EV owners to see how this pain evolves.” This expansion mindset has helped him balance focus with growth, ensuring that each product stays true to its user-first ethos.

Early traction for David's idea came from The McCloskey New Venture Competition, where Tangler Wrangler reached the semi-finals, and Race to Revenue, a 10 week accelerator program offered through the IDEA Center. These experiences helped lay the foundation for EVG’s success by allowing David and his team to analyze market sizing, refine their pitch, and test the product, giving them the momentum to stay nimble and pivot as needed. While many founders chase venture capital and rapid scaling, David has taken a more strategic approach. “We understood early that we weren’t going to 100x [in company value], so we had to be intentional about venture investing.” EVG adopted a workaround by prioritizing lean manufacturing and adaptability rather than overcommitting on inventory. “Less inventory is better for iteration. Lean manufacturing is key.”

One of the biggest lessons David has learned is the importance of execution over perfection. “There were so many points where we could have launched the product, but we focused on perfection too much and missed early sales,” he reflects. This realization has shaped his approach to business—he now emphasizes moving fast, testing ideas, and refining based on real-world feedback rather than waiting for the ‘perfect’ version.

For those looking to follow a similar path, David offers a simple piece of advice: “Drink from the firehose. Take advantage of every opportunity. You won’t realize how valuable it is until later.” Whether it be networking events, pitch competitions, or mentorship programs, he believes that fully immersing yourself is key to growth. His entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of action, adaptability, and problem-solving, proving that sometimes, the best businesses start with a simple frustration and the willingness to fix it.

Originally published by Matthew Brooks at esteem.nd.edu on March 06, 2025.