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System to make people, property more secure
By Barbara Connors, RCC
Micah Anderson, 22, proves that great ideas can come from a simple need, and can achieve success through a strong network. The seed for his idea came while he was still in high school, and looking for a good car alarm to protect his prized '72 Chevelle Super Sport. "I couldn't find a car alarm that impressed me," Anderson said. "I thought why wasn't there a car alarm system that could send you warning of an intruder to your cell phone, even when you were miles away from your car?"
After high school and while on a waiting list to be accepted to a program to become a full-time fireman, he began working on his vision for a new security system. Thanks to the ready availability of Bluetooth technology, which allows for a secure information exchange between devices like personal cell phones, computers, GPS receivers and digital cameras, he turned his vision into something bigger -- a system with the capacity to communicate warnings to individual people during a threat.
With the media coverage of the shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007 and Northern Illinois University in 2008, his technology seemed to grow in relevance. "All of my life, I wanted to be a fireman to save people's lives. I realized with technology like this, I could save lives on a much larger scale."
Small Business Incubator Turns Vision to Reality
The incubator for Anderson's work for the past two years is EIGERlab, a part of Rockford Area Ventures that focuses on helping start-up businesses in order to increase the knowledge-based economy in the Rockford area.
In 2007, Anderson launched M.A.S.C. Technologies at EIGERlab and now he's preparing to unveil his security system that would warn people of the location of potential danger and how to get away from it. Installed in public facilities, the system would send a message to an individual's cell phone, and show a location map and color-coded circle of the 200-yard danger zone surrounding the intruder or other security threat.
The same technology also could help police, special weapons teams and other first responders by streaming information to live surveillance monitors mounted on their weapons, giving them what they needed to "neutralize" the threat.
Anderson said he has a three-year nationwide coverage plan to get his system into schools, shopping centers, justice centers, government facilities and other public areas. "My number one [personal] goal is to get the system into the new Spire building being built in Chicago." At 150 floors, the Chicago Spire stands in 2011 to become North America's tallest free-standing structure and the world's tallest all-residential building. Dominating the Chicago skyline it's a natural potential target.
Building a Support Network
Anderson said he had a lot of people to thank for turning his idea into a reality. Number one was his grandfather Edwin I. Wilson. "If it wasn't for my grandfather, I would not be where I am today." He also credited Ken Hendricks and Keith Irons. "Ken Hendricks has mentored me with advice and pep talks since 1989 when my grandmother Nancy Wilson first started working for him at ABC Supply Company. He helped me a lot with my vision more than anything." Hendricks helped him find a good patent attorney, Chicago-based John Bretscher, who happened to have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and computers.
After patenting his concept, Anderson said Hendricks introduced him to Keith Irons. "Irons welcomed me into the EIGERlab and went out of his way to assure our success." Anderson also credited Rockford Area Ventures President Tom McDunn with giving him direction. "Tom spent many days in a conference room with me, going over my material." He helped connect Anderson with the right people.
"I would also like to thank Ryan Moyer, the vice president of M.A.S.C. Technologies, who has put forth a tremendous effort into helping me build my company from day one," Anderson said.
"I would like to share one piece of valuable advice with anybody willing to take it for what it is worth. Half of success comes from a strong network of mentors. Build your network to its fullest potential and never be satisfied with it. Along the way you can achieve unbelievable success in any industry by finding others interested in pursuing your ventures."
