My Solution

Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to complete the previous two exercises so I'll just be writing about my idea.

The Problem:  The success of new Augmented and Virtual Reality hardware and software is extremely dependent on market development, but with cost being a high barrier to entry, most people will remain without any exposure to these systems and the market will struggle to expand.

My solution: Create an innovation hub, of sorts, which will bring together various companies and technologies on this industry.  The hub will be located in a major metropolitan area, and will contain both work spaces for companies, and showrooms open to the public for easy demonstrations of both existing and in-development software and hardware.  This will raise awareness and increase exposure to the technology, and also provide avenues for companies to beta test their in-development products and receive real time feedback from a large number of customers.

Looking for Opportunity

1: Regulation:  Increasing legalization of Marijuana

Information regarding this issue is widely available through any news source.  Anytime a product moves from being illegal to legal there is going to be massive opportunities throughout the supply chain and in adjacent industries.  The prototypical customers are numerous and diverse.  The opportunities are not without complications, due to differences among states and the continued illegality on the Federal level, but for those located in the right markets the opportunities can be relatively easy to exploit.

My wife's parents recently moved from Germany to Colorado, and have become increasingly interested in getting involved with the marijuana industry.  I also worked with a woman who went on to co-found the organization Women Grow, which is the largest collective of female marijuana growers and promoters in the world, so I've witnessed the tremendous potential of entering this industry.


2. Trend:  Massive, increasing investment in VR



According to TechCrunch, more than $1.1 billion was invested in Virtual and Augmented Reality technology in the first 2 months on 2016 alone.  Reports even indicate Apple might be developing its own entrant into the field, which would greatly bolster an industry which already includes the likes of Google, Microsoft, FaceBook, Samsung, Sony and HTC.  The available opportunities exist not only for the produces of hardware, but also for developers, film and music producers, writers, manufacturing, government/military applications, and numerous industries that are likely to begin incorporating this technology into their fields and future plans.  Exploiting these opportunities with require a certain level of technological sophistication, but for people possessing these skills the number of opportunities available is vast.

I've had a lifelong interest in technology, electronics and the video game industry, so the resurgence of VR/AR recently has long been on my radar, and I've watched the process unfolding.


3.  Regulation:  EU to Make Publicly Funded Scientific Research findings Publicly Available

In an article from Engadget, the author discuses a recent decision by the European Union to make a majority of research papers and scientific data, which have been either partially or fully funded through public money, freely available to the public.  This greatly levels the playing field in many industries, where previously larger companies had greater access to expensive information regarding scientific advances, social and demographics data, etc...  This can be readily useful to people of any field or industry, and will be incredibly easy to exploit.

I subscribe and keep up with many scientific journals, so the prospect of having easier access to this information is very exciting to me.


4.  Trend:  Revolt Against the Open office Environment

NPR recently profiled a trend that has been occurring in which office workers are rejecting the open office format, and seeking a return to walls and private spaces.  Ultimately the trend is becoming towards more varied office environments, in which open and communal spaces are interspersed with private areas where workers can experience a more secluded, quiet space.  I believe this provides a great opportunity for office planners, as the increasing prominence of a new office format will lead to increasing interest from businesses looking for experts in layout and design of their office spaces.  The typical customers will be businesses with a significant number of office workers and dedicated office space.  As the trend is still in it's early stages, it's easily exploitable by anybody with experience of knowledge of the industry.

I work in an office, and have experienced a strong need to seclude myself during certain projects, but have also experienced a strong disconnect from my coworkers when I lacked the option of working alongside them.

Identifying Local Opportunites

With Gym Still Closed, Local Climber Left Hanging

In December 2015, the owners of the Gainesville Rock Gym were forced to close after discovering critical flaws in the building's foundation.  Their insurance company has still given no word on whether they will cover the cost of repairs, or opt to just cut a check for the value of the building and walk away.

In the meantime, the community of rock climbers that has developed in Gainesville is left without a dedicated climbing facility, and there's no word on when or even if this gap will be filled anytime soon.

County to Consider Fixes to Funding for Arts Groups

Disputes have arisen between local artists, the Tourist Development Council, and other local organizations regarding issues of funding allocation and autonomy.  A change in the system used to award money to artists and groups had led to a funding surplus of nearly $179,000, of which more than $100,000 was allocated to pay for international artists to create murals in downtown Gainesville.

Local artists have taken issue not just with the project itself, but the lack of opportunity for the local artists to have access to these funds.  Since the change in how funds are allocated, many artists and organizations are now finding themselves underfunded, and struggling to get by.  Local artists also seem to lack a strong voice in the decision making process, which tends to be handled at the county level.

ASO: Another Skimmer Found at Gas Station Near I-75

Skimming is a means by which criminals are able to obtain a person's credit or debit card information by acquiring the data when a card in run through a card reader controlled by the criminal.  These devices are often placed on pumps at gas stations, and while attempts have been made to make skimmers easier to detect, the systems in place are woefully inadequate.

When gas stations are found to be unsafe, it hurts their image and can lower sales.  Additionally, customers are at great financial risk when their data is stolen, and are in need of better solutions for preventing these breaches.

Trees Down, Power Down after Storm Blows Through

A storm caused power outages for 4,000 Gainesville residents, many of them being without power for most of the day.  The outages were caused by trees falling onto power lines.

Above ground power lines offer significant vulnerabilities, particularly in areas with many trees and high likelihood of storms, i.e. Central Florida.  This causes problem for citizens, local governments, and local utility companies alike.

No Buyers on Horizon, Owners to Develop Newberry Road Site

Parkwood Alachua Land Investments has been struggling since 2014 to sell a 31-acre property approved for traditional neighborhood development.  This type of development requires the incorporation of commercial and residential sites into a neighborhood, and can complicate the development process by requiring differently specialized developers to coordinate on plans.  After failing to sell the property for two years, despite substantial price drops, the owner is going to begin development themselves.

Those in need of housing are currently hurt by the two year delay on this development, and the owner is holding a large piece of land from which they definitely need to recoup their investment.  This may depress prices and lead to opportunities for business owners once the commercial properties have been developed.

Working at a startup

I've been working at a small business specializing in Apple products for the past five years, and have been fortunate enough to not only witness, but also contribute to, the growth and success of this company.  I work directly alongside the owner: an entrepreneur who started his first company at the age of 18, and has always been determined to be his own boss.

He's now 34, and started this company at the end of 2010.  I began working there the following summer, and there's been a very close group of us who've been around ever since.  We've each taken on greater responsibilities as the size of the company has grown, and we've been able to rely on each other to get things done.  It's allowed me to see how critical it is to find the right people to sustain a company longterm, and weather the good times with the bad.

My time at this company is drawing to a close, as I move on to a new chapter in my life.  I know I'm going to miss it greatly, and hope to always retain the invaluable lessons I've learned as I move on to new projects.

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