Reimagining RV maintenance | How one Knoxville founder is modernizing an old-school industry
"We want to see that customer happy, and if we can create that experience through a better inspection, through a better process, through sharing information, that's our goal,” said Cochran.
How many times have you been on an RV trip only for an issue to arise with the unit? If you aren’t an RVer, that scenario likely sounds like a nightmare.
Robert Cochran, the founder of Vinny, believes he has the solution. Vinny is a digital platform designed for RV inspections, providing inspectors with an intelligent tool to streamline their workflow.
Identifying a disconnected network
Cochran’s expertise is rooted in decades of hands-on experience. He entered the service industry immediately after high school and later spent 10 years working at a dealership. In 1996, he launched his own company focused specifically on RV parts, accessories and service.
With his deep industry knowledge, Cochran identified a significant opportunity for optimization. While RVs are constantly being repaired, he noticed a lack of connectivity among technicians. Despite the repetitive nature of most maintenance issues, there was no centralized network for problem-solving. Vinny fills that gap by allowing for seamless information sharing.
“The fact that that information is not getting shared quickly just puts the other technicians at a disadvantage,” he explained. “Once they have that information, they can do things better, faster, and get customers back on the road quicker. We want to see that customer happy, and if we can create that experience through a better inspection, through a better process, through sharing information, that’s our goal.”
Leveraging Knoxville’s startup ecosystem
RVing is a classic American pastime, but Cochran admits the industry can feel a bit dated. He views that as an opportunity for modernization, with Vinny serving as proof of what’s possible.
“The RV industry is just a little less technology-driven. Everybody says they’re 20 years behind the automotive industry—maybe more,” said Cochran. “There’s opportunities for us to go places that we just haven’t been before.”
Cochran credits the Knoxville startup ecosystem for providing the support necessary to dream big and revolutionize the space.
“Look at the 121 Tech Hub. There’s just a great support community here,” he noted. “Honestly, Knoxville just feels like a big, small city. It’s easy to connect with folks. People are open to that. There’s a great startup community here.”
Follow Vinny to track the latest developments in RV tech.
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