Building a business in a traditional industry takes patience, resilience, and a clear vision for change. Ray Valentine, founder of Flexidrive, is doing exactly that by bringing technology and structure to how people learn to drive.
Flexidrive is a platform connecting learner drivers with quality driving instructors while making the learning journey simpler, clearer, and more accessible. As the company continues to scale, Ray and his team are focused on expanding instructor coverage, improving their technology, and building partnerships that add real value for new drivers.
We spoke to Ray about the business, the challenges of scaling a multi-sided platform, and his experience being part of the WorkIQ community.
Can you tell us a bit about what your company does and what you’re currently working on?
Flexidrive is a platform that connects learner drivers with quality driving instructors and makes the whole process of learning to drive simpler and more transparent. Traditionally, finding an instructor can be hit-and-miss, with long waiting times and little structure. We’re building a system that helps learners book lessons easily, track their progress, and feel more confident on the road from the earliest stage of their journey. Right now, we’re focused on scaling, improving our technology, onboarding instructors in new locations to expand coverage, and building partnerships that add real value for new drivers.
What problem does your business help solve, and why is that important to you or your clients?
Learning to drive is a big life milestone, but the system around it can be frustrating and outdated. There hasn’t been much digital innovation in the space. People struggle to find available instructors that suit their needs, lessons can feel inconsistent, and there’s often no clear roadmap for progress. We bring structure and accessibility to that process.
For learners, it reduces stress and uncertainty and gives them a clear, familiar journey they can follow. For instructors, it helps them manage their business better and keep their schedules full. Driving isn’t just a skill, it’s independence, access to work and education, and confidence.
What’s one of the bigger challenges you’ve faced recently as a business?
Balancing supply and demand is always a challenge in a multi-sided business. When demand grows quickly, you have to make sure quality stays high and instructors aren’t overwhelmed. We’re building strong data insights into the platform that help us plan and turn that challenge into an opportunity. Another challenge has been growing a consumer business while being resource-constrained. It forces you to be creative and disciplined. In hindsight, that’s helped us build a very capital-efficient and focused company.
Is there something about your company or the work you do that might surprise people?
People often don’t realise how big and regulated the driving lesson market is. It’s a very traditional industry, but also a highly recurring one. When you bring data and technology into a fragmented space like this, it opens up the possibility to build something much more connected and scalable. That surprises a lot of people.
What are you most proud of in the business so far?
Honestly, getting this far with limited resources in the early days. We spent years testing and refining the model before scaling. It took longer than I expected to gain traction, but I’m glad we stuck with it.
I’m also proud of the instructors who trust the platform. Knowing some instructors run a big part of their livelihood through our system is something we take seriously.
What made you choose WorkIQ as your workspace?
We wanted a space that felt professional but also flexible and supportive for a growing startup. WorkIQ gave us that balance. The support network here was also a big factor. When you’re a small team, being surrounded by people who’ve done it before or are building their own businesses gives you a real advantage at an early stage.
How have you found WorkIQ and the community since being based here?
I’ve loved working here. The support and conversations with other founders genuinely help with decision-making and perspective. What really stands out is the in-house team. They go out of their way to support businesses, make introductions, and open doors where they can. It doesn’t feel transactional, they actually invest in your journey and want to see you grow.
Connect with Flexidrive and the WorkIQ Community
If you’re interested in learning more about Flexidrive, connecting with Ray, or exploring how the platform is modernising the learner driver experience, we encourage you to reach out and follow their journey.
At WorkIQ, we’re proud to support founders and growing businesses like Flexidrive by providing flexible workspace, a strong support network, and a community designed to help businesses grow and scale. If you’re looking for a workspace that connects you to opportunity, community, and real business support, WorkIQ is here to help.
- How Flexidrive is transforming the learner driver experience
- Meet Claudia Walsh, Stylist and MUSE Jewellery Founder
- Protected: Turning information into Engagement – The We’re All Guilty Of… drip at WorkIQ
- Flex Advisors Joins WorkIQ, Bringing Clarity to Financial Planning
- Meet Pablosec Solutions at WorkIQ