Print
Entrepreneurs

2015 CEA Winner In Emerging Company: Elite Innovations

By Neil Cotiaux, posted May 8, 2015
Andrew Williams, founder/CEO | Year Founded: 2014 | No. of Employees: 4 (Photo by Mark Steelman)
Elite Innovations, Wilmington’s new maker space, bears little resemblance to the shop class taught by The Fonz on Happy Days.

More than Shop 2.0, the new facility provides entrepreneurs and inventors with an opportunity to share ideas, access cutting-edge tools, develop prototypes and get introduced to manufacturing, marketing and intellectual property experts as they bring their dreams to market.

Andrew Williams, Elite’s CEO, aims to improve the odds of success for his clients by giving them the advice and equipment they need to craft, launch and sell a better product.

Housed in a 6,000-square-foot space on South 18th Street, Elite charges a monthly membership fee of $25 for individual inventors and $50 for teams and small businesses. Once inside, they’re given access to 3-D printing, metal fabrication, vinyl cutting, soldering and other equipment to build their creations, with Williams alongside to offer advice, tweak prototypes and – as projects progress – open doors to manufacturers, distributors and attorneys.

To date, about 50 people have signed up as members, and Elite generally has at least 20 projects
open at any given time.

Van Jackson Sr., a local contractor, has spent months perfecting a truck-bed extender that will haul lengthy equipment to work sites without having it drop to the ground.

“Everyone that has seen it likes it and wants one,” said Jackson, who is working with Williams on manufacturing and marketing and expects to begin selling his product in late summer.

Williams is also consulting with Charles Hawley, a retiree who conceived an air-powered driver to enable builders to thread hex nuts more quickly.

“He’s a clever guy, a smart guy,” Hawley said of ex-Marine Williams.

It was his service in Afghanistan that prompted Williams and a friend to design TacLace, a “pull, cinch and wrap” boot-lacing system now sold in every Navy and Marine Corps Exchange.

He’s also collaborated with inventor Clay Skelton on OrigoSafe, the first contract product at Elite. An ignition interlock system prohibits texting while driving by locking up a driver’s phone in a docking station so it can’t be held or viewed, a safety measure attractive to commercial fleet owners and the parents of teens.

“The TacLaces and the Origos of the world more than keep us afloat,” said Williams, who also offers CAD and quadcopter-building workshops to round out revenue.

With business taking flight, Williams plans to bring several existing contractors in as employees over the next several months to maintain the company’s momentum.

City officials say Elite plays a major role in keeping the local entrepreneurial community robust.

“They provide a unique opportunity in the community that’s not been replicated,” said Roger Johnson, assistant to the city manager for development. “It’s a very collaborative atmosphere.”
 
For more info about the Coastal Entrepreneur Awards, click here.
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Mel profilephoto

Grasshopper Lawn Care and Services Accepting New Monthly Clients

Mel Beasley - Wide Open Tech
Mikestonestreetcropped 862150530

How to Get the Most out of Living in a Community Association

Mike Stonestreet - CAMS (Community Association Management Services)
Mikeharrington carolinaretreats 2

Fall Vacation Rentals and Rising Cost of Real Estate

Mike Harrington - Carolina Retreats

Trending News

Group Planning Indoor Skydiving Facility On Eastwood Announces Updates

Staff Reports - Mar 21, 2023

Possible Writers Strike Could Be Felt In Wilmington Film Scene

Jenny Callison - Mar 20, 2023

Former County Commissioner Woody White Appointed To UNC System Board

Jenny Callison - Mar 22, 2023

City Takes Next Steps Toward Possible Purchase Of Thermo Fisher Building

Staff Reports - Mar 22, 2023

Oklahoma Onion Burgers Planned For The Pointe

Miriah Hamrick - Mar 22, 2023

In The Current Issue

Info Junkie: Hoop Morgan

Book and media recommendations from Info Junkie Hoop Morgan, founder of The Forte Institute....


Brunswick Rides Wave Of Tourism Boost

This spring, new TV advertisements for Brunswick County’s island beaches will run in markets across the mid-Atlantic region, including citie...


Swinging Big With Custom Golf

Cameron Lee sees a lot of parallels between golf and life: You have to make good decisions, evaluate risk versus reward, be smart and be hon...

Book On Business

The 2023 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments