Ben Werner and Eric Sandozwho helm Goleta’s Multimode Technologies, are seeking local investors for the Dagne, a low-cost, ultra-efficient commuter vehicle designed run on six kilowatts of energy per day. The three-wheeled two-seater is designed to be not just street-legal but freeway-worthy, with “brisk pickup” and substantial cornering performance, said Werner, who intends to retail it for about $18,000.
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A Santa Barbara patrons group for the Haitian microloan program Fonkoze raised enough in contributions$35,000, combined with $30,000 from the Haitian administrationto open a branch this winter in the northern Haitian town of Jean Rabel, population 3,300. The start-up funds can operate the branch for a year. Fonkoze Santa Barbara is now focused on raising $50,000 to fund the branch’s literacy training program.