Venture Concept 1

In recent years, technological development and cultural changes have lead our society to complete dependence on energy and electricity.  Nearly everything we do and use requires energy, and this does not come without a cost. Currently, a vast majority of our energy is provided by the combustion of fossil fuels. This process releases carbon dioxide and various other pollutants into the atmosphere which can build up and lead to global warming. Scientists warn that if we do not change our current energy system, sea levels will rise, climates will change, and many animals will die.  These facts aside, the acquisition of oil can also be extremely dangerous and harmful. Because oil is a limited resource that can theoretically run out, wars have been started over it’s acquisition. While our country can not produce infinite fossil fuels, the sun, wind, and other resources are constantly running and can be harnessed to produce electricity.  For these reasons I have decided to create an entirely self sufficient automobile. 

With large scale commercial projects, household power can make a relatively simply transition to a primarily renewable system.  Transportation, however, has been intrinsically linked to oil and fossil fuels for decades.  With the purchase of a car, there is an implicit cost of filling your tank multiple times a month.  Despite recent downward trends in gas prices, these cost still add up and can be extremely expensive. This creates an opportunity for a car that does not require such expenses. Rather than requiring external fuel, my car design would include a solar panel on the hood of the car that can collect energy to be stored in a battery and used to run the car. In a sunny place like Florida this can be extremely effective, allowing people to drive without the input of fossil fuels. Additionally, once the car is set in motion, a wind turbine will be utilized to collect wasted energy from the kinetic energy of the car’s motion.  This will allow the car to sustain power and speed for long trips. When conditions are less favorable, this will be extremely useful as the energy of motion will create this no matter what the conditions.

Such a product would have a massive client base and would be guaranteed to succeed. Anybody who drives would be able to see the benefits of driving such a car.  Over time the gasoline savings would male this car the clear choice for any consumer looking to cut back on their gasoline spending.  While the car may be expensive to purchase, such savings can justify a high upfront cost. This unique advantage allows my product to stand aside and above all other cars, including current green options like Tesla and Prius.

Becoming the first to market self sustaining automobile will be a huge advantage.  The savings and environmental benefits are undeniable and few will be able to refuse.  This will set the stage for major success among a range of demographics.  Those who are less concerned with the environmental benefits will still be able to see the long term financial motives. Additionally, the environmental motives become more and more relevant by the year.  Such a universal client base leaves the ceiling for such a concept extremely high.

In theory, this idea sounds fool proof. However, the technology is extremely new and primitive.  Creating this concept will require major research and development costs.  Current solar panels must improve their efficiency before this concept can be considered viable.  The best way to hit the market immediately would be to offer interchangeable parts that can be swapped once the technology improves.  This will discourage people from waiting until the technology develops to make their purchase.  Instead they would be able to make the purchase now and easily upgrade if a new model comes about. This would also create a major revenue stream.  Between these options the company is bound for success.

Ideally, this self sustaining automobile will revolutionize the transportation industry. Consumers will immediately feel the benefits of their independence from gasoline.  In just a few short months the savings will be extremely significant.  Such tangible results will create a product that essentially sells itself. My staff will see this and be extremely passionate about the product they are selling.  It will be easy for them to sell because they will simply outline the facts and let the consumer make the educated decision. Such a passionate work force will be a reliable asset when it comes to sales.

Looking for Opportunity

1. In today’s society there is a massive fundamental need for energy and resources. As we continue to pump oil and deplete our natural resources, this need will be harder and harder to fulfill.  This leaves an opportunity for clean and renewable resources to help meet the energy demands of the developing world. While start-up costs may be high, renewable resources like solar and wind energy can produce energy for years to come with little to no maintenance or fees.  This makes them a safe long term investment for any business or residence looking to reduce their energy bills over time. While people may be skeptical, the government and private banks offer various financing options that make the instillation of solar panels relatively inexpensive and simple.

As I pursue a minor or dual-major in sustainability studies, it is clear that this is an important opportunity for me.  I have always been passionate about the severity of global warming and I understand that without a transition to renewable resources, the developed world as we know it will face extreme environmental threats. This is transition is not only the smart environmental decision, but it also has extremely beneficial and far reaching financial benefits.

2. Today, less than 1% of the Earth’s water is readily drinkable.  Mllions of people across the globe lack clean water, and often die early due to waterborne illness. Even In america, it is becoming harder and harder to supply our societies demand for clean water.  Climate change and over pumping have caused us to deplete our underground aquifers. Because water is essentially for life, an opportunity has opened for an efficient water purification and desalination technology.  This would allow us to produce theoretically infinite water, not only for the convenience of the united states, but also for the health and prosperity of developing countries. As a sustainability student, this is another issue that resonates with me. 

3.  Recent regulatory changes have opened and entirely new and thriving industry. Namely in Colorado and a few more states, medical and recreational marijuana have opened massive entrepreneurial opportunities. Even in states where cannabis remains illegal, it is still prevalent and there is a significant black market client base.  When regulations nation wide begins to soften, there will be a huge unmet customer need for marijuana.  I think this market will be extremely easy to exploit as demand will start high and people will begin to support cannabis businesses instantly.

My sister actually lives in Denver and has already begun to see the financial benefits that come with legalization. Tax revenue brought in through the cannabis market is funding schools and infrastructure across the state. Additionally, as the legal market begins to consume the underground market, violent crime is down.  To me, this opportunity is massive and self evident. The only thing restricting it’s potential is government regulation.

4.  My final opportunity actually relates back to the first point I mentioned regarding energy.  The market for energy is clearly massive and it will be no easy feat to meet demand.  This causes some people to want to expand drilling efforts by oil companies.  However, recent tragedies like the BP incident may convince people otherwise. Recently, president Obama signed into law major restrictions on off shore drilling.  This will confine oil companies to their current places of operation and limit their supply.  As they begin to deplete their resources, people will need to look elsewhere to meet their energy demand.  This opens up a market, particularly in the transportation sector, for energy that does not come from oil and fossil fuels.

Right now there are very few options for electric transportation. However, a car that runs entirely on solar energy would save customers huge amounts of money in the long run.  Especially when supply of oil is low and gas prices begin to rise, such a vehicle would allow its owner to be completely independent of gas prices, avoiding the long term costs of filling and refilling a gas tank.

Forming An Opportunity Belief

Recently, the parking garage located behind my apartment complex has been closed for renovation.  This has caused major difficulties for local businesses and residents.  I believe that stores and restaurants located within the Livingston Town Center apartment complex have seen decline in business in recent months due to the scarcity of public parking.  This has forced workers and shoppers to park in residential spaces blocking roads and causing disturbance.

In this scenario residence, business owners, and local shoppers are all directly affected. However, I chose to focus on business owners to see how they have been affected and whether they have experienced a decline in customers or any frustrated customers due to parking availability. I have recorded interviews with 3 local business owners and uploaded them to a Soundcloud playlist here:

https://soundcloud.com/zach-schaeffer/sets/forming-an-opportunity-belief

After discussing this issue with multiple owners and managers it is clear that the parking renovations have indeed caused issues for Town Center businesses.  The closed garage had limited parking opportunities for employees and store goers alike.  This is generally in line with my original hypothesis and I think creating more parking would certainly be considered a legitimate opportunity.

Identifying Local Opportunities

PARCC GLITCH TESTS LOCAL SCHOOLS

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CAC9E933AC93A0?p=AWNB

•   During my senior year at Millburn High School the board of education enacted a new series of standardized tests, the PARCC tests, that would replace teacher administered finals.  As a lazy senior a was thrilled with this new policy because these tests were not calculated into grades and tended to be far easier than tests composed by Millburn teachers. From an educational perspective, however, this largely eliminates student's incentive to study and master the material.  

•   Because fewer students see the reasoning for the tests, more and more have begun to utilize the test refusal or opt- out clause presented by the PARCC association.  The school system looking into ways to provide incentives for students to participate as they are important for school and teacher evaluations.

•   The burden of this problem falls more on the upper level school officials, the board of education, and on the teachers.  With many students choosing to opt out of these finals, results from these test can be extremely skewed.  This makes teacher evaluations far more difficult while boosting student grades.

SHE SEEKS TO REDUCE STUDENT STRESS

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CD1ACA2A73FB20?p=AWNB

•   Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford University's Graduate School of Education, and the lead author of "Overloaded and Underprepared: Strategies for Stronger Schools and Healthy, Successful Kids" recently visited Millburn High School to discuss the effects of stress and sleep deprivation.  While Millburn has been praised as one of the top public schools in the country, students often complain about the extremely competitive and rigorous work environment.

•   With so many smart and driven kids coming out of each graduating class, competition for placement in higher education has never been more intense.  Students are forced to load their schedule with rigorous classes and extracurricular in order to stand out from the crowd.  Pope argues that this mindset is unhealthy and actually leads to a decrease in performance quality and many mental heath illnesses.

•   This problem largely falls on high school students who are pushing themselves to their physical and mental limits on a regular basis.

TOWN SPLIT OVER SCHOOLS - INSTITUTES WANT SPACE AT MHS

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CD1AD566AB5A60?p=AWNB

•   The Millburn Board of Education has been deliberating over whether to rent out high school classrooms to private institutions like a Chinese school for weekend and summer classes.  The proposals outlined by two different Chinese language institutions are larger than any the school system has received.

•   While the potential revenue from this programs can be significant for the school system there has been concern over the increased traffic and availability of parking.  Particularly with church services going on at the same time up the street, it may make it difficult for residence to get in and out of down town.  This would also require the school to pay utility and custodial costs during weekend hours.

•   Much of the negative aspects that the board is considering revolve around the town's residence.  They are worried this traffic increase and decrease in parking will hurt commuters and local businesses.

Gentrification and “tiny houses”: big problems

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CD29A93995E1E0?p=AWNB

•   This article describes the construction and renovation of properties surrounding the University of Florida campus.  The author argues that efforts to maximize the physical land while maintaining historical structures has resulting in huge rent and gentrification in the area.

•   As more students look for convenient housing surrounding campus, prices have inflated driving lower income, local families out of the area. This disturbs the authenticity and character of local neighborhoods.

•    Increasing rent prices hurt any resident looking to buy or rent a home close to the UF campus. It also hurts business owners who are forced to pay inflated prices and face a shrinking clientele base as people are unable to afford convenient housing.

Students in Fletcher living with mold, no comment from UF officials

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15C5D7BF016AA3F0?p=AWNB

•   In Fletcher Hall and across the University of Florida campus students have been facing problems with mold. Particularly in Fletcher hall, rooms, clothes and bedding have become overrun with mold. The University attributes it to the climate and old historical buildings but has yet to offer a solution.

•    The mold has become a significant problem for residents, spreading to personal belongings like clothes and bedding. This can result in significant health and respiratory issues.

•   Residents of Fletcher hall were the main people affected by the outbreak.  However, the article mentions the possibility of mold in other residence halls.