The Sharma Effect
Harness Their Energy winds of Change
Four Embry-Riddle students, all from different walks of life and different parts of the globe, meet here in Daytona Beach while completing their studies at the local aeronautical university. None old enough to rent a car, they are all now part of local startup Nuovo Wind, which has designed and prototyped an innovative wind turbine that is both practical and effective – creating a tech buzz storm. The brain child of recent ERAU graduate from north India Manu Sharma, the company is comprised of four brilliant young talents whose collective energy and contagious enthusiasm could power our entire city. Brian Rieger (22) from Caliornia, Ben Eberly (19) from Pennsylvania, and Cyrus Jou (22) from Boca Raton.
The concept has caught the eye of leaders across Central Florida, is fielding cash investment offers from international governments and this month will be presented to Fortune 500 CEOs at the New York Kairos Society - where the buzz of potential investments are already being explored. Kairos, which aims to catalyze an economy of innovation by fostering top student entrepreneurs and change makers, has selected their enterprise as one of the year’s 50 most promising startups in the world. The team will make their pitch at the global summit February 3-5
With the potential of briskly being tapped by any venture group, government or corporation around the world, what can this community do to keep bright talent building their company here? Would they want to stay? Are we supporting them? Do they have access to everything they need to be successful and can we harness their energy to change our entire economy? Answers are mixed.
At the core of the issue is the need for access to quality start up assets such as legal services, basic incorporation procedures and the wind required to turn this turbine – capital. How much? Anywhere from $50,000 initially to $200,000 over the first two years, small numbers considering the million dollar potential. While there is an early conversation going on with an undisclosed local investor, those figures combined with the ingenious product and promising young entrepreneurial team to match it should spark a local bidding war.
With a newly awaked spirit of entrepreneurship growing within the student body of ERAU, a successful project such as this finding a nurturing home in Daytona Beach, could yield dozens of spin off companies and spark an interest in building businesses right here. We’ll dub it the Sharma Effect. We should take note, react quickly and recognize that making this project a local success story will send a very clear message to the students dreaming up the next big idea. Our future depends on it.
Our View | Incubation is good, Investment makes it happen. An initiative should be launched by local private enterprise, which could be potentially housed at an organization such as the regional chamber and/or its community foundation in partnership with the incubator. Our business community could contribute to a fund that provides initial seed money for one or more new bright companies each year, right here. Put together an advisory board of seasoned corporate leaders to advise, negotiate a minor stake and work with them to grow. Reinvest returns over time into the program and while others wait for companies to move here, we harvest a new crop of businesses.
check out : Growing at the Speed of Flight
