If a group of Georgia Tech graduates has their way, a bike-sharing program developed on campus will someday be available throughout Atlanta, providing commuters with a low-cost and flexible transportation alternative.
Founded in March 2010 by Kyle Azevedo, Siddharth Doshi, Koji Intlekofer and Yuriy Romaniw, viaCycle aims to make bikes available for communal use without the pricey infrastructure that has plagued similar programs in other cities. Since the launch of a six-month pilot program at Georgia Tech in November, the ATDC member company has quadrupled its fleet to include 40 bicycles and racked up more than 450 users.
“We’ve been thrilled with the amount of people signing up,” said Azevedo, the company CEO. “The bikes normally get used a couple times a day, but we expect that to pick up as the weather improves. We obviously want this pilot program to succeed so we can turn it into a long-term, sustainable business.”
It works like this: the bicycles contain a mounted electronic lock system and GPS connection that allows registered Georgia Tech students, faculty and staff to reserve a bike. Unlike many other bike sharing programs that require specialized bike racks or kiosks for payment, viaCycle users can lock or unlock a bike simply by proving their user information through a text message or phone call. The technology allows administrators to limit the usage area and provides detailed trip tracking. ViaCycle worked with Georgia Tech Parking and Transportation Services and the City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability to launch the pilot program.
The startup began as a research project back in 2008, when viaCycle founders applied for – and lost – a $100,000 Ford Foundation grant. A year later, they revamped their bike sharing proposal and submitted another Ford application, this time for a $50,000 grant. They won that prize.
“We sat down and designed a bike sharing system from the ground up that really improved on the drawbacks that were out there, in terms of the costly infrastructure,” said Azevedo.
So far, the five-member viaCycle team has operated solely off of winnings from grants and business competitions. But as they turn their attention to the future, Azevedo said they will begin looking for investor financing and continue utilizing ATDC resources and networking opportunities. They are currently discussing bike sharing programs with Atlantic Station and Midtown Alliance.
“In the past few years, we’ve seen this model of collaborative consumption take off in the business world,” said Azevedo. “Atlanta actually has a very strong and passionate cycling community, so I think bike sharing could be really successful here.”
In recent months, Innovolt has expanded in staff size and market reach, secured licensing agreements with several prestigious Fortune Global 500 companies, and debuted a new brand and streamlined website. And if company leaders have their way, the Atlanta-based startup will see even more growth and success in the new year.
“2012 is poised to be another year of growth for Innovolt,” said Jeff Spence, president and COO of Innovolt. “We are looking at ways to expand globally and further penetrate OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).”
A 2009 graduate of ATDC, the company provides patented electronics protection for hundreds of millions of dollars of installed systems, mainly in the commercial and industrial markets. Innovolt’s core technology is the brainchild of company founder Deepak Divan, a faculty member at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech. While working in the ATDC lab in 2006, he developed a microprocessor-driven system to proactively recognize potential power disturbances that damage electronics. In other words, the technology protects electrical equipment not just from lightning, but from routine power disturbances such as sags and surges that cause equipment fatigue.
The young company is now licensing its technology in markets ranging from consumer electronics, medical technology, cable and satellite, to HVAC and control systems. A burgeoning client list includes top Fortune Global 500 firms Ricoh, Toshiba, Konica Minolta, Katun and ECi OMD.
With an affordable, functional technology that applies to a wide range of industries, Innovolt anticipates even more client growth in the near future.
“We expect to see continued expansion into the cable, medical, cloud and appliance market-segments, which will have a significant impact on financial growth in the months to come,” said Spence.
The new year is already shaping up to be a good one for Kishore Eechambadi and Raj Mehra of ATDC member company The Coupon Doc. The Atlanta-based duo is packing their bags and heading to Chicago to join the inaugural class of Healthbox, a new business accelerator focused solely on healthcare.
In September, The Coupon Doc founders connected with Healthbox program organizers at an ATDC-sponsored networking event. On Monday, the startup will join nine other hand-picked companies at the three-month program, which includes $50,000 in seed capital, healthcare-specific learning and networking opportunities, and an “Investor Day,” where participants will pitch their businesses to a targeted group of health-focused investors.
Not a bad opportunity for an early-stage startup like The Coupon Doc. Launched only six months ago, the company aims to provide an easy-to-use, centralized repository that gives consumers access to manufacturer discounts on prescription and OTC medications.
“Healthbox is very well-connected in the healthcare industry, so we want to make the most of those connections and raise enough capital to make The Coupon Doc a sustainable venture,” said Eechambadi, who previously conducted microfinance work in India and was a strategy consultant at Deloitte. “We think there is a huge untapped market for the product that we’re offering.”
The idea for the startup came about in the spring of 2011, when Mehra – whose family worked in the pharmaceutical industry – saw an opportunity to provide consumers with a more direct and accessible route to discounts. The site, which is still in beta testing, will allow individuals to search for medicine and find all available coupons and discounts as well as a cost comparison to its competitors. In addition, users will be able to view forums and reviews for other medicines and search by conditions ranging from the common cold to diabetes and epilepsy.
“Most pharmaceutical companies rely on doctors’ offices to pass on discounts, so consumers are really isolated to what the doctor prescribes and are uneducated on alternative medications, prices and associated discounts,” said Eechambadi. “Our site will save consumers money on their prescriptions and OTC medications, as well as give them the opportunity to interact with others to share knowledge and experiences.”
After their meeting in September, The Coupon Doc had to beat out hundreds of applications from 26 states and eight countries before being named one of the 10 finalists for Healthbox.
“I give full credit to ATDC for giving us the chance to interact with Healthbox staff,” said Eechambadi. “This is an amazing opportunity.”
December 15, 2011 by
kateFrustrated by statistics revealing how few people follow the dietary advice of their health care providers, Jiten Chhabra began researching ways to address the problem. A physician with a master’s degree in human computer interaction, Chhabra took a unique approach – one that focused on providing on-the-spot nutritional decision support at cafeterias and restaurants. Following three years of research and IT development at Georgia Tech, his solution became a reality. Usable Health was launched in early 2010, providing menu-personalization software to generate diner loyalty.
“Data showed that our menu personalization application can help people make better eating choices, while also making restaurant operators more money,” said Chhabra. “That is when I knew there was a sustainable business here.”
Usable Health provides an in-restaurant kiosk system – called a SmartMenu – that will customize meal recommendations based on the customer’s nutritional goals. An interactive computer screen displays a detailed description of each item on the menu, including photos and details on all nutritional content. The technology then lets guests tailor each meal to meet their dietary goals by offering a series of recommendations based on their nutritional preferences. For example, if someone is looking for a low-carb or high-protein meal, the SmartMenu will produce a list of on-demand suggestions.
Currently, 22 restaurants feature the self-service kiosks, including Tin Drum, a quick service establishment, and the Fresh To Order fast casual restaurant chain. Most locations are in the Atlanta area, but as more restaurants strive to meet new federal nutritional guidelines and provide a healthier dining experience, Usable Health is seeing increased interest in its SmartMenu technology. The ATDC member company hopes to expand into other restaurants and major nationwide chains in the near future.
“Right now we are busy with product development and in forming channel partnerships,” said Chhabra. “Web and mobile apps are coming up in collaboration with our partners as well. An upcoming SmartMenu feature I am looking forward to is diner recognition, which learns a diner’s ordering history and makes recommendations based on that. It is kind of like how Netflix makes movie recommendations…but better.”
Torn between the Kindle and the Nook? Or whether WordPress is a better blogging platform than Drupal? ATDC member GetComparisons aims to take the pain out of your decision-making process by providing a one-stop-shop for product comparisons.
Launched in late April, the free service allows consumers to sign up and search the site for existing reviews or request or create a comparison of their own. Comparisons show how many times the product has been viewed and the number of positive and negative ratings it has received, along with a detailed explanation of the pros and cons. It’s much like Amazon’s review section, but with the added functionality of feedback, blogs, forums and ratings.
“People research product comparisons all the time, but they often have to sift through various sites to find what they’re looking for,” said GetComparisons founder Akshay Arabolu. “This provides one platform that allows users to easily find – and discuss – meaningful comparisons.”
A former investment banker specializing in the software sector, Arabolu developed the idea for GetComparisons last year while researching different software and applications for his own potential entrepreneurial venture. Frustrated by the inability to quickly find side-by-side product comparisons, he came up with his own solution – and the startup was born. It took months of research, professional outreach and work with various web developers and designers before the site was ready to go public earlier this year.
Since the spring launch, some 1,200 people have signed up to review more than 500 products. Though mostly focused on tablets, smartphones and productivity tools, comparisons range in topic from religion to the perks of living in various cities. Now focused on the development of a stronger brand and identity, the three-person startup plans to utilize ATDC’s resources and networking opportunities as they move into their next phase of growth. They also hope to eventually move to sponsored content.
“From a product standpoint, it’s universally liked,” said Arabolu. “However, it’s been challenging because we built the product without picking a niche and we’ve since learned that the direction in which you point your product is very important. Because people are able to compare anything from religion to web servers, that lends itself to different audiences and has made it more difficult for us to grow within those communities. So going forward, we’ll be working on solidifying our brand, presence and user base.”
November 17, 2011 by
kateRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Frosty the Snowman. Chippey the Elf?
An animated special set to air on CBS next Friday could be the next big holiday classic. At least that’s the hope of the Atlanta-based animation studio behind the creation and production of An Elf’s Story.
“We believe the story will become a Christmas classic,” said Chad Eikhoff, director, producer and writer of An Elf’s Story and the founder of TRICK 3D, an ATDC member company. “We have broken some new ground with our approach to the stereoscopic 3D production, so the cutting-edge animation, original music and heartwarming story could really captivate a lot of people.”
Based on The Elf on the Shelf, the best-selling children’s book and character, the new animated feature has been several years in the making. The book was written and self-published by Carol Aebersold and her daughters, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts. TRICK 3D’s involvement began in 2007, when Eikhoff – who attended high school in suburban Atlanta with Bell and Pitts – was tapped to develop an interactive website for the book. When he learned the Aebersold family was also thinking about developing a TV special, Eikhoff and Tara Burtchaell, TRICK 3D’s Executive Producer, pitched TRICK 3D for the job with Eikhoff directing, producing and writing and Burtchaell producing.
In spring 2010, Big Canoe Entertainment was formed to develop the animated program. The production company included Aebersold, Bell, Pitts, Eikhoff and Burtchaell, as well as independent film producer Kenneth Waddell and Catherine Scorsese, daughter of director Martin Scorsese. A few months ago, CBS executives screened a final version of “An Elf’s Story.” And the rest is history in the making!
“Elf on the Shelf was one of our first clients, so when the brand took off, we were in a position to start talking about a Christmas special” said Eikhoff. “The show features new 3D animation techniques that we developed using full-set constructions, more immersive 3D cameras and a new process for stereoscopy…Most of the new holiday specials tend to be hyperkinetic and in your face with comedy and action, but with The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf’s Story there is laughter and energy, but we also focus more on telling a timeless story that has a lot of heart and character.”
The program focuses on Taylor McTuttle, a 9-year-old skeptical about Christmas. His two younger sisters adopt an elf they name Chippey, who has to help Taylor learn that “Christmas is what we carry in our hearts.” In the process, the elf loses his Christmas magic and Taylor has to figure out a way to help Chippey get it back.
An Elf’s Story airs on CBS at 8:30 pm EST on Nov. 25. DVD and 3D Blu-ray will be available the following day. Prior to the broadcast, there will be a screening of the show hosted by Wayne Brady at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre this Sunday, with all proceeds benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Tickets are available through the Fox or Ticketmaster.
Founded in 2006, TRICK 3D specializes in the creation of commercial and original entertainment, providing services including motion design, stereoscopic 3D, 3D animation and visual effects compositing. Following in the success of An Elf’s Story, Eikhoff said the company plans to continue focusing on commercial work, as well as original and creative IP in the future.
November 10, 2011 by
kateFor the third consecutive year, top executives, investors, entrepreneurs and academics will converge in Atlanta next week to discuss the rapidly changing media landscape and the trends driving that change.
The gathering is due to FutureMedia Fest 2011, a three-day conference packed with panel discussions, workshops, keynote speeches and research demos all focused on “exploring the media’s disruptive power on people and business.” Organized by the Georgia Tech Institute for People and Technology, the event runs from Nov. 15-17 at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. This year, a number of ATDC employees and member companies will participate in the discussion.
“It’s wonderful to see that FutureMedia has acknowledged the role of startups and the power they yield in the media space,” said Nina Sawczuk, Director of Startup Services and General Manager of ATDC. “This event is a great networking opportunity for many of our members and provides a global glimpse of some of the trends impacting the media environment.”
Throughout the Fest, startup companies and researchers will present demonstrations of the latest technologies from Georgia Tech students and outside businesses. Among the speakers will be representatives from ESPN, Turner Broadcasting System, Twitter, Mashable, The Coca-Cola Company and Cox Media Group. Panel topics will range from sports entertainment and civic engagement to emergency response, entrepreneurship, advertising, gaming, television, computational journalism and the Georgia film industry.
Sawczuk will join several other industry leaders in a discussion about Entrepreneurship in a Noisy World, while ATDC Entrepreneur-in-Residence Hezi Moore leads a “Birds of a Feather” discussion on content integrity. In addition, current and graduate ATDC member companies including Scoutmob, OpenStudy, PlayON! Sports, Preparis, IdeaString, BLiNQ Media, CodeGuard, CubeVibe, Cooleaf, Digital Assent, Jigsaw Meeting, LiquidTest, Merlin Mobility, Mogley, Proximus Mobility, Regator.com, Social Fortress, Soket, TripLingo, Whisper Communications, Xsporture and Zooz Mobile will all be featured in various aspects of the event.
Last year’s FutureMedia Fest drew more than 750 attendees and was viewed online by thousands of people from nearly 80 different countries. Organizers say this year’s event is expected to be even bigger.
“There is really something for everyone in the digital, social or multimedia industry, whether student age or CEO level,” said Erin Dowdy, a spokesperson for FutureMedia. “The quality of the speakers giving the keynotes and the people on the panels is outstanding. One of the best things about it is the price point. For only $150, you can get inside the minds of these incredible innovative thinkers and businesspeople.”
To learn more about FutureMedia Fest 2011, view the schedule, and register, visit http://futuremediafest.gatech.edu/.
Want to thank the neighborhood bartender that always pours the perfect pint? Or show some appreciation for your favorite barista or hairstylist? ATDC member We&Co has designed a new location-based mobile app that lets you give a public shout out to your favorite service industry professionals.
Launched in July, the free iPhone app allows users to positively rate employees while simultaneously giving businesses the opportunity to reward frequent customers with special perks or discounts.
“This is a way to engage the employees, not just the customer,” said Jared Malan, co-founder of the Atlanta-based startup. “It’s really about empowering service professionals to build their careers while also establishing relationships with the people that visit the most.”
It works like this: Open up the We&Co app to see all of the places and service pros around you. When you have a good service experience, you can thank the person behind it. If you don’t see the individual you want to acknowledge, simply add them. In addition, you can recommend your favorite mixologist to acquaintances via Facebook or Twitter, or discover the honest mechanic your friend praises.
By quantifying an employee’s value, the app could potentially help generate performance-based staff rewards and develop deeper connections between service professionals and the customers who expressed their gratitude.
“We see ourselves as being a tool for the businesses,” said Malan. “The hope is that a personal relationship with the people at a business — not just the place or the prices — will help generate more regulars. We also provide valuable data. We can tell a business who its best employees are, as well as the best customers.”
In the months since the soft launch, service professionals have been thanked in more than 50 countries. Now focused on the startup’s website, which is in private beta status, the five-person startup plans to utilize ATDC’s resources and technology guidance as they move into their next phase of growth.
As the founder of a young, online real estate brokerage firm in today’s struggling housing market, David Lightburn is well aware of the power of a good social media campaign. To help better engage existing and potential clients, his startup – Clickscape – is active on Facebook and Twitter, sharing useful tips on technology and real estate.
Now, as one of three small businesses featured in the SMB Social Media Makeover Forum on Nov. 8, Lightburn is hoping to build an even stronger marketing presence. During the conference, Clickscape’s social media strategy will be dissected and revamped by representatives from top Atlanta companies including UPS, CBeyond, Arby’s, ING, Turner Entertainment, Constant Contact and Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) member company Scoutmob.
“While Clickscape has many key components that make buying and selling real estate easier, we feel we need help arranging all of our puzzle pieces into one pretty social media picture,” said Lightburn. “We hope to learn how to better engage our audience on both a broad scale and an individual basis without coming off as invasive.”
Held during Digital Atlanta 2011, the Social Media Makeover Forum is a half-day conference tailored toward small and mid-sized business owners, sales and marketing managers and social media professionals. A panel of experts will help guide Clickscape, Hannah Solar and High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet through common social media strategy points, such as the best tools to use and ways to improve content, lead generation, channel integration and ROI. The idea, organizers say, is to bring seasoned industry professionals together with local businesses to share advice and best practices in real life case studies.
“We felt this was a great way to bring attention to issues of social media for small businesses, while directly helping some companies that have already accomplished a lot in terms of social engagement, but need assistance defining their strategy,” said Dan Greenfield, an event organizer and principal partner at LISTEN Interactive. “We’ve selected three companies that are engaging and have some experience with social media but need help taking it to the next level, whether the goal is lead generation or maximizing sales and authenticity. And we’ve tapped some of the biggest brands in Atlanta to help take them to the right place. The goal is then to follow the progress of these companies over the next six months and see what advice stuck, what didn’t work and why. These discussions really serve as dynamic case studies in the making.”
From networking opportunities to industry insight, Greenfield said event attendance will benefit any entrepreneur struggling with social media. As for Clickscape, the ATDC member company is hoping the makeover will help them learn how to balance authenticity and sales promotions when engaging customers.
“A good campaign can rapidly build awareness of our brand and our services in a pressure-free environment where our clients enjoy interacting,” said Lightburn. “Most importantly, it can enable us to establish a trust with our audience – something often lacking in our industry.”
ATDC members who want to attend the conference will receive a special 10 percent discount off the price by using the ATDC code (ATDCMakeover) when registering, but sign up ASAP to receive the Early Bird rate. The event runs from 8 am to 12:30 pm at ATDC Headquarters, 75 Fifth Street, NW 3rd Floor.
While flipping through resumes in search of a new accountant, Uvie Ugono found himself creating a grid – with a list of specific skills and experiences he wanted in a new employee.
Then serving as the chief financial officer for HSBC’s Project & Export Finance business in London, Ugono discovered he could best assess each candidate’s suitability by individually marking each resume against his desired checklist.
“That’s when the idea hit me,” said Ugono. “Why not create a website where you could search for candidates by specifying the skills and experience you were looking for to fulfill the role, and immediately receive a short list of matching candidates who meet that criteria, with the closest match first.”
Fast-forward two years and approximately $150,000, Ugono’s vision has become a self-financed reality. Launched on Sept. 12 in Atlanta, www.urecruitme.com is already making waves in the local job industry. Since then, more than 800 people have filled out profiles on the website, which serves as more of a matchmaking service than a traditional job board.
Visitors to the website are subject to a test that utilizes psychometric assessments to score candidates on communication levels, teamwork, resilience and the ability to lead and make crucial business decisions. Once a job seeker takes that free test and sets up a profile, companies can find them. Consider it the eHarmony of the recruitment world.
“We’ve basically reverse-engineered the process,” Ugono said. “Candidates don’t have to apply for jobs and search job boards every day. They’re found. Also, it helps reduce the time companies spend looking for quality candidates.”
Although Ugono plans to eventually expand the service to an international market, he chose Atlanta as the launch pad due to the city’s high unemployment rate, low business costs and appealing climate. He was also drawn by the presence of the Advanced Technology Development Center.
“I’m hoping that ATDC can help me secure the funding and management team necessary to take the business to the next level,” said Ugono. “Atlanta is just the starting point. The business model is applicable in practically every country in the world.”