Photo by Enxhi Myslymi/The Mirror
In collaboration with the Town of Fairfield Economic Development and Kleban Properties, Fairfield University has launched a new business incubator on Tuesday that focuses on transforming ideas into businesses.
For Jamie Ramerini ’13, inventing a Bluetooth power strip where a lamp or TV can be turned off through a phone application attracted her attention. The idea, created by Diego Mamani ’14 and Max Espinoza ‘13. came “out of pure laziness,” she said.
“They were too tired to get out of bed and turn the lights off and they wished there was a way to do that from their phones, and that was that,” Ramerini added. She joined the team after contacting Mamani about the pitch he made for his new product at Startup Day, and they advanced to the finals of the Business Plan Competition.
“I marketed myself. He knew the electric, I knew the business,” Ramerini said. “We’re seeking to make home automation affordable with a Bluetooth-controlled power strip.”
Out of 15 applicants, Ramerini and her teammate Mamani were one of three entrepreneurs who were chosen by a review board consisting of two or three professors, a former GE executive and a legal executive to become the first client companies part of the Fairfield University Accelerator and Mentoring Enterprise.
“The idea is that we want early stage companies [with] a viable idea where we can contribute our expertise to move them to the next level,” said Dr. Donald Gibson, dean of the Dolan School of Business.
FAME began during the summer when Ken Kleban of Kleban Properties approached Gibson and Dr. Chris Huntley, associate professor of information systems and operations management, about creating the incubator program. The Town of Fairfield’s Economic Development Department, along with local business, provides funding. Office space is courtesy of Kleban Properties, and faculty and Fairfield mentors give expertise and advice to the companies.
Gibson added that the incubator program is a way for entrepreneurs to access resources to create stability in the county.
First Selectman of Fairfield Michael Tetreau said, “If there’s one issue facing our town, our state, our nation, it’s jobs – and we’re doing something about it.”
Huntley said they want companies that have “local flavor … and that we aren’t going to be embarrassed about later … we’re looking for companies that have good potential for growth but don’t require millions of dollars to get started.”
Nicole Grant, economic development specialist of United Illuminating Company Holdings Corporation, which has helped provide start-up funding, said, “This was an exciting opportunity to help grow businesses and support entrepreneurs in Fairfield County.”
While the incubator is open to anyone, “at least one spot a year” will be reserved for student teams, Huntley added. “We want to provide a full path for students from the time they are freshmen to the time after graduation where they can learn entrepreneurship for real.”
Father Jeffrey P. von Arx said, “FAME is a wonderful example of collaboration of the university, the town and the community.
“We want to continue to consolidate our relationship with the town, and the university has so much to offer,” he added.
For students, FAME provides new opportunities and avenues for networking. “I know it’s such a phenomenal opportunity for the school and our community,” said Joe Wik ’15, FAME’S first intern, who will be acting as a “soundboard” for the companies. “I want FAME to be a real staple in Fairfield … and for students to get real life experience with startup companies.”
Sophomore Colbey Stabell hopes to be part of FAME in the future because, “it’s an opportunity for students to become part of something connected to the university.”
Ramerini said: “It feels amazing and I can’t believe we were selected among other applications. There are so many people pushing for us to succeed. It’s empowering.”
In addition to Ramerini and Mamani, former Fairfield student Nicole Peranick, who developed With Love From The Cupboard, Inc., and Daphne Dixon, creator of Conscious Decisions, made up the three client companies.
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