simmered on the backburner of possibility until Push began to harness the full complement of support services available at EMU.
EMU Jumpstarts Entrepreneurs “Eastern’s program showed us how to transform an idea into
a marketable reality,” says Push, who worked with mentors Phil Rufe, a technology transfer coordinator at EMU, and Celeste Stachurski, a doctoral fellow in Eastern’s Offi ce of Research Development and Administration. The collaborative result was a sophisticated business plan and functional prototype. “Phil helped me in many ways, including obtaining
provisional patent applications on the helmet’s technology,” says Push. “Celeste helped me fi ne-tune the product’s target audience and develop marketing and distributions strategies.” Both mentors also helped him secure a $2,000 grant from
Eastern’s School of Engineering and Technology and College of Technology to produce a helmet prototype for the 2014 Michigan Collegiate Innovation Prize (MCIP), a state-wide competition. More than 80 teams from 16 colleges and universities in Michigan applied for the MCIP. Push and Coleman were among 23 teams that made it to the semi-fi nals. Eastern is currently conducting a survey to gauge
student interest in entrepreneurship and innovation, specifi cally the potential for student business start-ups, engagement in entrepreneurial education, and the start-up
support services needed to commercialize a product or service. The results will help Eastern collect the data necessary to further develop and nurture an innovative and entrepreneurial culture at the University.
ZC5 Designs The University’s entrepreneurial assistance, combined
with their own initiative, helped Push and Coleman create ZC5 Designs. The company is designed to make, market and distribute the helmet as well as conduct research and development for clients. The co-inventors expect their company—and product—to offi cially launch in a year, Push says. Judging from business trends, the duo has tapped into an
emerging market. According to Forbes business magazine, the rise of wearables for consumers is going to be one of the “key growth areas” in mobile technology. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, anywhere
from 22 million to 28 million wearable devices will ship in 2014, a 50% to 80% increase from 2013. “It’s very exciting to be at the forefront of wearable
technology, to take something created for generic uses and alter it enough to create something entirely new,” says Push. “It’s going to take a lot of work, late nights and experimenting, but I’m confi dent success is on the horizon.”
The Measure of Success Part of that success may be
monetary. “Our profi ts for the four years after we launch are dependent on many factors, including funding and distribution. But I’m hopeful when I consider the market size,” says Push. In the United States alone, 5.3 million motorcyclists ride an average of 1,800 miles per year, and there are 148,000 daily riders, he says. “If we can seize that very specifi c
market and sell the system for about $900, then we are looking at a market worth $133 million,” Push says. “If you factor in all of the other applications, such as snowmobiling, ATVs and non-daily riders, then the market is worth billions.” But the ultimate success will not
be defi ned by profi ts alone, he adds. “If this helmet saves lives, we will
consider it a success.”3
Eastern | SPRING 2015 23
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