Jon Rehwaldt noticed that Fort Wayne needed a community for creators and innovators to bring their ideas to life. He wants to build a community space that would house equipment and personnel so qualified individuals can reach prototype and testing, taking their products from ideation to reality. He can use a micro-grant from Fortitude Fund to identify partners for this venture, evaluate a pilot program, and identify next steps to guide and grow the program.
3D printers have been around for a few years, but Daniel Hart discovered that the ones available lack innovation when it comes to the consumer market. He would like to create a line of printers that are easy to use, high-quality, and low cost, making them usable for just about anyone. With a micro-grant from Fortitude, Daniel can invest in new parts for his products.
The Build Guild was formed to provide a working space for creatives, DIYers, and builders of all kinds to bring their ideas to life. Abraham Parra helped create this community so anyone could create in a space well-stocked with tools, machinery, and equipment. With a micro-grant through Fortitude, The Build Guild can invest in social media marketing that will grow their community.
With 21 years of experience as an interior designer, Melissa Hall knows all about the complex process of procuring large samples from flooring companies to present to her clients. After starting her own design firm over four years ago, she decided she wanted to take the initiative and create a simple, time-saving app for interior designers so they can obtain flooring samples without all the hassle. Using a grant from Fortitude, she will be able to fund trips to Chicago and Georgia where she can pitch her ideas to some of the largest carpeting manufacturers in the world.
As someone who loves to learn, invent, and build, Matt (24) recognized that Fort Wayne needed a well-equipped and staffed research lab for people like to him to bring their ideas and concepts to life. Whether it’s electrical, engineering, or technological, the research lab would give students and companies a place to work on projects. Through the Fortitude Fund, Matt can purchase equipment, advertise the program, attract clients, and maybe even begin the first research project.
As an arts entrepreneur, Kurt (26) created SoundWalk–a mobile app that gives listeners an immersive audio experience as they walk through public spaces. Artists compose music or narratives that are geotagged on a map within the app, allowing the listener to experience unique art of various kinds produced for wherever they are. Using the micro-grant, Kurt will be able to fund at least one fictional narrative production, geotagged locally in Fort Wayne.
Karly Wolfcale, 17, is adopting an entrepreneurial approach to finding a new pet through an innovative app she calls PETinder. The app will also be a platform to sell products or advertising. Karly’s potential for success has already been recognized with a 5th place award out of 50 entries in the statewide DECA competition. The Fortitude Fund grant enables building out the software and content.
Mitchell Skees, 18, is helping smaller restaurants compete with the large chains through his mobile ordering company 3B Apps, which he began when he was 16. His younger brother Connor heads technical development and programming. Mitchell is excited about plugging into a community of entrepreneurs and mentors. With the Fortitude Fund grant, Mitchell is building out his platform for Web and Android use.
Dylan Caldwell, through virtual reality, is turning everyday objects into your personal music studio! Percussion Lab has applications from gaming to music therapy. Dylan is using the Fortitude Fund grant to acquire 3D models to implement as Percussion Lab objects. Dylan is eager to tap into the Fortitude Fund community for greater experience.
Frank Yang set his sights on the world from Huntington County with his Upward Language Company, which is designed to become the premier edutainment social platform for English language learners. With a proprietary distribution channel, the app has gamification, competition, and built-in virality. Frank is using the Fortitude Fund grant to conduct market research, establish regional offices, and register a legal presence in China.
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