New Ideas for a New Carolina

Within the last year, we have coordinated the deployment of seven plug-in hybrid prototypes in North and South Carolina including our prototype with the Plug-In Hybrid Coalition, SCE&G, Duke Energy, Progress Energy, Four County EMC, City of Raleigh, and Advanced Energy. These compliment the national deployment of 76 plug-in hybrids that are capable of achieving up to 100 miles per gallon. Additionally, our focus will shift from the kits to covert hybrids to accessories to compliment future electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Casual Informatics is an entity envisioned to produce the next generation of 'invisible technology' products. That is, information processing technology embedded into otherwise normal-looking, everyday objects. The flagship idea for the company is the 'Digital Guest Directory' for hotel rooms. Inventors usually focus on the technology itself, but turning the idea into revenue is where the rubber hits the road.

(Since winning the 2007 contest) we have formed strategic alliances with a mid-sized company for toll manufacturing who may also license one facet of our technology, and are building relationships with suppliers of key raw materials. I've met a lot of interesting people and learned a LOT of new things in the past year! My biggest advice to would-be entrepreneurs is 'Believe in yourself. If YOU don't, why should anybody else?'

The Sandlapper Foundation is a public charity whose mission is to administer funds in support of scientific, educational, and charitable efforts to increase the awareness, availability, and use of clean energy technologies along the South Carolina coast. The award gave me the 'kick-in-the-pants' I needed to formally begin the charity. It also gave our fledgling organization credibility in the eyes of partners key to our first Grant proposal. Had we not been validated by the New Ideas contest, I don't think we would have been able to pull the team together. Don't be afraid of losing... be afraid of winning. For then, what excuse do you have not to commit?

We have an alternative energy concept based on the use of solar ovens to process food products. My goals are to establish strategic partnerships to move forward.