A University of Hawaii Manoa mechanical engineering student is hoping to launch a new business to market his product called Airfoil, a unique ballpoint pen inspired by engineering design in aviation, through the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter.
“[It’s] a supercool ballpoint pen like you’ve never seen before,” 19-year-old Grant Takara told PBN in an email.
Thus far, his creation has raised about $8,000 with 30 days still to go, the Kalani High School graduate said.
Takara, who is owner/founder ofMasterstroke, a company that specializes in premium writing instruments, says that what sets Airfoil apart from its competitors is its redesigned body.
“Most pens have a plain tube, [but] Airfoil utilizes curves, has depth, structural strength and is easily recognizable from common pen designs,” he said. “It’s crafted from titanium, aluminum, stainless steel and 24-karat gold. Best of all it sells for just $59, significantly less than other high-end pens.”
With Kickstarter, project creators such as Takara set a funding goal and deadline. If people like a project, they can pledge funding to make it happen, although funding on the platform is all-or-nothing, as projects must reach their funding goals to receive any money.
To date, about 44 percent of projects have reached their funding goals, Kickstarter said.
Since its launch in 2009, more than 5 million people have pledged $937 million, funding 54,000 creative projects.
Takara’s Airfoil, which has a goal to reach at least $50,000 by Feb. 7, hopes to become one of these successfully-funded Kickstarter projects.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2014/01/hawaii-college-student-using.html
