Where
are you from originally?
I’m
from the Chicago area but allergic to cold winters. Love Austin.
What
university did you go to?
I
got my BSc. degree from the University of Manchester (England) in 1981 and then
worked in industry for 10 years before going back to Johns Hopkins for a PhD.
in materials science.
What
is the idea behind your startup?
Basically,
for all sorts of reasons, and today more than ever, people would like to be
able to have a hot meal or drink anywhere and anytime. There’s strong market research to prove
it. But while others have tried, there’s
never been a self-heating packaging technology that offered all the performance,
safety, and cost characteristics needed.
That’s what we bring.
What
need does it fulfill?
Our
technology gives brand producers of packaged food and beverage the means to
make their products available to consumers.
It goes beyond the convenience of microwave ovens to create new dining
opportunities: desktop or dashboard dining, freshly heated meals in a lunchbox,
etc.
What
exactly does it do?
We
have invented and patented a compact, very efficient, and safe heater that fits
into the base of a package and allows a consumer to push a button and have hot
food or drink in 2 minutes.
Who
is it for?
Convenience
and mobility are designed into all sorts of new products, not just food and
beverage because consumers want it. Our
technology is the wireless or untethered app for eating out.
What
was the most challenging aspect of starting up?
Raising
funds for an early stage product concept.
It’s easier now that we are funding commercialization and have active
customer interest.
What
is the next step for you and your business?
Our
business model is licensing so we’ve already begun the process of transferring
to a manufacturer and we’ll continue to work with them as they scale to high
volume. Also product technical support;
along with our packaging partners, we’re working with food & beverage
brands who pay us to customize the product to their specific requirements.
What
advice do you have for entrepreneurs?
Put
a lot of thought into the team you need to accomplish the business objectives.
The right team is what will make it successful. Network a lot.
What
resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?
Every problem you encounter has been met before so we’re
very fortunate to be based in central Texas where there is an active
entrepreneurial community to engage with.
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