Lets try this one. I will post the whole article and we should proof read it for the staff at the paper
Plus the links do not work after a while.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsup...ry/684137.html
From small businesses a mighty Idaho economy may grow
Many business leaders hope a multitude of innovations springing from Idaho universities, small businesses and garages will give birth to hundreds of enterprises that will employ 10 to 100 people each.
Io DuPont is just such a business. Perhaps this startup that began 20 years ago in the mind of Tony DuPont, then an undergraduate engineering student at the University of Idaho, could employ hundreds of Idahoans someday.
DuPont's Boise company markets Power Cordz, lightweight synthetic strands that can replace steel cables in applications from bicycles and airplanes to prosthetics.
The cables are just the beginning, though. DuPont plans to use revenue from Power Cordz sales to pay for a prototype of the continually variable transmission that he developed in college. The transmission can change through an infinite number of gear ratios between maximum and minimum values, unlike a traditional transmission that has a limited number of gears.
DuPont thinks his innovative design will make bikes and cars 15 percent to 20 percent more efficient.
"It has the potential to revolutionize energy transmission," said John Burdekin, a consultant working with DuPont who helps focus the operations of startups. "We've introduced it to the bike industry, but we already have a letter of intent from the chairman of the board of a large Asian car company that says if we can show them a prototype in the bike industry, they will fund development for the auto industry."
Three years ago DuPont developed his business alone in his Boise garage. Today he has two full-time employees and three full-time contractors working out of the Boise WaterCooler, a business incubator at 1401 W. Idaho St. in Downtown Boise.
"Sales have doubled the third quarter to the fourth quarter. And if sales continue at their present pace we'll double revenue again. At this rate of growth we'll be completely solvent in a quarter and a half," Burdekin said. "This is the idea that will fund the real idea, a seed product that will develop revenue for the transmission, so the amount of money we need to raise is much smaller," he said.
Working at the WaterCooler will make raising a few million dollars easier because in addition to cheap office space, the building provides access to people who invest in young companies. The Boise WaterCooler was founded by developer Mark Rivers to foster development of innovative startup businesses.
Burdekin says business incubators are important generators of innovation and commerce.
"The four other companies here at the WaterCooler have all received funding," he said. "Some of the companies may incubate into success and employ 10 people, others may employ 500. And the more success that companies like Tony's have, the more talented people will be drawn to live here."
Prev
Linear Mode
