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ETEC 522 – Ventures in Learning Technologies
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A3: Nano Interactive Paper

By tina gordon on November 28, 2015

As a grade 4/5 teacher I see my students struggling with basic printing skills.  As a parent of teenagers, I see so much reliance on technology that by age 16 my son struggled to fill out his job application.  We are on the verge of an epidemic crisis involving fine motor skill development.  Basic pencil paper tasks are becoming increasingly difficult for our youth.  As a solution to this problem I have created “Nano Interactive Paper”, a reusable, solar powered, affordable product that reinforces basic printing and writing skills.

My venture pitch is very “basic” in terms of media production as I wanted to follow the criteria set out in the venture pitch videos to avoid animation, etc.  However, I look forward to your feedback on whether or not, without the animation component, it is enough to capture your attention.

ELEVATOR PITCHYouTube Preview Image

VENTURE PITCH  YouTube Preview Image

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6 Dec Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

Review - The Nano Interactive Paper was a very cool venture pitch. I love the sci-fi aspect of the technology. While I think your timeline for the technology is way too soon, I’m sure you were just playing around with it for the project. Very neat idea none the less. I really like the way you laid out the problem in which you are trying to solve. Although, I think that for a cutting-edge product that this, releasing only one model to begin with is probably better than going all-in with four variations. I don’t recall seeing much information on your user demographic. While I can see kids of all ages using it, narrowing down your market would have been helpful. Your breakdown of the manufacturing costs and msrp is welcomed but I think you are not including a huge amount of overhead that should be associated with your product. Marketing, development, support, etc, are all things that need to be accounted for.

6 Dec
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Patrick Conlan @pconlan

Review - The Nano Interactive Paper was a very cool venture pitch. I love the sci-fi aspect of the technology. While I think your timeline for the technology is way too soon, I’m sure you were just playing around with it for the project. Very neat idea none the less. I really like the way you laid out the problem in which you are trying to solve. Although, I think that for a cutting-edge product that this, releasing only one model to begin with is probably better than going all-in with four variations. I don’t recall seeing much information on your user demographic. While I can see kids of all ages using it, narrowing down your market would have been helpful. Your breakdown of the manufacturing costs and msrp is welcomed but I think you are not including a huge amount of overhead that should be associated with your product. Marketing, development, support, etc, are all things that need to be accounted for.

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6 Dec Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

REVIEW: Tina I have to say I am so glad someone is thinking about developing the fine motor skills of children. Developing fine motor skills is more than just about getting kids to print their name, it's also about ensuring they have steady hands so that our future surgeons, mechanics, dentists etc. can do their job well. This is something that I would definitely invest in on that reason alone and is also a point that I would recommend to be included in your venture pitch. One thing I really liked about your product is that the paper templates featured lined paper, blank paper, and sheet music to be used in various educational contexts. In addition to Nano Interactive Paper Products offering a solution to a legitimate problem I like how you incorporated environmental friendliness as a part of your product development as company social responsibility is a great selling point to investors. You have a great product here.

6 Dec
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ivana @ivanapet

REVIEW: Tina I have to say I am so glad someone is thinking about developing the fine motor skills of children. Developing fine motor skills is more than just about getting kids to print their name, it's also about ensuring they have steady hands so that our future surgeons, mechanics, dentists etc. can do their job well. This is something that I would definitely invest in on that reason alone and is also a point that I would recommend to be included in your venture pitch. One thing I really liked about your product is that the paper templates featured lined paper, blank paper, and sheet music to be used in various educational contexts. In addition to Nano Interactive Paper Products offering a solution to a legitimate problem I like how you incorporated environmental friendliness as a part of your product development as company social responsibility is a great selling point to investors. You have a great product here.

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4 Dec Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

Hi Tina, I feel like I saw sheet music paper that plays notes when you write them in some sci-fi story once, maybe an old episode of Star Trek or something. Very futuristic! While I see the appeal in Nano Interactive Paper, I have a couple of concerns. Could it really be as thin as real paper or would it be more like the thickness of a plastic placemat (which is how the circuit board in your pitch seems to be)? If it's that thin, it could rip, and as we've seen with the latest incarnation of Canadian currency, that which claims to be indestructible really isn't so. My other concern is your pain point. While there is the case of your son, and some of our colleagues below have echoed your concerns, I've never noticed this problem in my 12 years of teaching. Of course, some kids have bad handwriting, but that has always been the case and I don't know if this can be blamed on digital technology. I used to teach ESL to Koreans who were always on devices, yet had beautiful printing skills. I don't teach high school, though, so I suppose if they are typing all the time in high school this could be the case, but could you back up this claim with any solid research?

4 Dec
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rrto @rrto

Hi Tina, I feel like I saw sheet music paper that plays notes when you write them in some sci-fi story once, maybe an old episode of Star Trek or something. Very futuristic! While I see the appeal in Nano Interactive Paper, I have a couple of concerns. Could it really be as thin as real paper or would it be more like the thickness of a plastic placemat (which is how the circuit board in your pitch seems to be)? If it's that thin, it could rip, and as we've seen with the latest incarnation of Canadian currency, that which claims to be indestructible really isn't so. My other concern is your pain point. While there is the case of your son, and some of our colleagues below have echoed your concerns, I've never noticed this problem in my 12 years of teaching. Of course, some kids have bad handwriting, but that has always been the case and I don't know if this can be blamed on digital technology. I used to teach ESL to Koreans who were always on devices, yet had beautiful printing skills. I don't teach high school, though, so I suppose if they are typing all the time in high school this could be the case, but could you back up this claim with any solid research?

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3 Dec Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

Nano Interactive Review Nano seems like a very interesting product. The pain point is clearly identified and definitely of major concern. Although it is said that the product market is based on facts, none are actually presented. How large is the target market? The product is very clearly presented. There is a timeline, a clear asking investment and a division of how the funding will be used. The cost of a class set is mentioned yet I would like to know the target audience. Will be product be sold to school boards or to individual parents or both? Is it only to be used in younger years or is this also 16 year-olds would employ? The pitches provide a realistic growth strategy and details where the product will be sold. As an investor, I would also like to know whether the nano circuits are being produced in partnership, bought or produced by another division of the company. Although a team is not presented, the founder seems engaging, professional, knowledgeable and confident. I can see how many individuals would purchase such a product and as an investor I would definitely look in your venture in further details to invest. Well done!

3 Dec
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danielle couture @dcouture

Nano Interactive Review Nano seems like a very interesting product. The pain point is clearly identified and definitely of major concern. Although it is said that the product market is based on facts, none are actually presented. How large is the target market? The product is very clearly presented. There is a timeline, a clear asking investment and a division of how the funding will be used. The cost of a class set is mentioned yet I would like to know the target audience. Will be product be sold to school boards or to individual parents or both? Is it only to be used in younger years or is this also 16 year-olds would employ? The pitches provide a realistic growth strategy and details where the product will be sold. As an investor, I would also like to know whether the nano circuits are being produced in partnership, bought or produced by another division of the company. Although a team is not presented, the founder seems engaging, professional, knowledgeable and confident. I can see how many individuals would purchase such a product and as an investor I would definitely look in your venture in further details to invest. Well done!

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2 Dec Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

I wasn't appointed to your venture, but I felt that this is a great idea! I have some grade 6 students that can barely print their name, so it is definitely applicable for my classroom. Is this ready to go or is this just an idea that needs to be developed further? Another possible feature could be that the sound function lets the student know when their letters have moved away from legibility. Good idea!

2 Dec
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lanehardy @lanehardy

I wasn't appointed to your venture, but I felt that this is a great idea! I have some grade 6 students that can barely print their name, so it is definitely applicable for my classroom. Is this ready to go or is this just an idea that needs to be developed further? Another possible feature could be that the sound function lets the student know when their letters have moved away from legibility. Good idea!

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2 Dec Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

FEEDBACK: Hey Tina, great pitch, very thorough. I liked how your product has so many positives, from helping writers of different ages and abilities, to being environmentally friendly. Your personal connection was a great touch as it speaks to your desire and passion as the founder. One question I have is about the "incredibly rare earth magnets." This sounds very expensive to me, and while it is great you are able to recycle them now...what happens when your product blows up and has crazy demand, or there is a shortage of recyclable hard drives. Do my profit margins dive proportionally to magnet availability? Overall it was a strong pitch and a great idea.

2 Dec
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Caleb @poolec

FEEDBACK: Hey Tina, great pitch, very thorough. I liked how your product has so many positives, from helping writers of different ages and abilities, to being environmentally friendly. Your personal connection was a great touch as it speaks to your desire and passion as the founder. One question I have is about the "incredibly rare earth magnets." This sounds very expensive to me, and while it is great you are able to recycle them now...what happens when your product blows up and has crazy demand, or there is a shortage of recyclable hard drives. Do my profit margins dive proportionally to magnet availability? Overall it was a strong pitch and a great idea.

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2 Dec Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

Hi TSLEARN (Troy).... Thank you for your review and pointing out a similar product, the "Sony Digital Paper". A review of that product can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASgPvi0y4ww While there are SOME similarities, where the big difference lies is in the interactivity. The Sony product is simply a write-on tablet surface. Mine is "interactive", sounding out letters and sounds, which greatly reinforces literacy skills. The Sony product is FAIRLY thin.... but again, not as thin as mine and not solar powered. You do bring up a good issue with regards to the noise factor. I neglected to cover this with the "bluetooth wireless headphone option". Excellent point!! As for your offer to use your imaginary money to fund my imaginary product... you're ON!! I know your great business sense... and we could really make this happen!! :) CHEERS! -T.

2 Dec
1 Thumbs Up!
tina gordon @gordie70

Hi TSLEARN (Troy).... Thank you for your review and pointing out a similar product, the "Sony Digital Paper". A review of that product can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASgPvi0y4ww While there are SOME similarities, where the big difference lies is in the interactivity. The Sony product is simply a write-on tablet surface. Mine is "interactive", sounding out letters and sounds, which greatly reinforces literacy skills. The Sony product is FAIRLY thin.... but again, not as thin as mine and not solar powered. You do bring up a good issue with regards to the noise factor. I neglected to cover this with the "bluetooth wireless headphone option". Excellent point!! As for your offer to use your imaginary money to fund my imaginary product... you're ON!! I know your great business sense... and we could really make this happen!! :) CHEERS! -T.

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2 Dec Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

Hi Tina – Fantastic job! I would invest in this venture without hesitation. Your concern regarding the “basic” nature of your visuals was unfounded. I found the entire pitch to be very professional and highly compelling. The pain point of declining motor skills hits very close to home for me, as one of my three children was identified with a deficit in this area at a very young age. One recommendation that I would make regarding your description of the pain point, is to include additional information regarding the connections between writing or drawing by hand and neuro/cognitive development. Your solution of nano interactive papers is deceptively simple, but at the same time so well thought out. The comparability to real paper in terms of size makes great sense. The range of overlays also offers the user great options right out of the box. The fact that it is solar powered also makes the product highly attractive. If, as you state, this is truly the first product of its kind (tslearn’s review seems to indicate otherwise), competition does not seem to be a problem and you clearly describe the differences between your product and existing tablet technology. It is hard to argue with your ask/return numbers, and I like the way that you have compared the all in price at a “per class” level. This will be meaningful for your target market. All of this, combined with your own knowledge and experience as the CEO, make for a winning venture!

2 Dec
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Maureen Glynn @glynnm

Hi Tina – Fantastic job! I would invest in this venture without hesitation. Your concern regarding the “basic” nature of your visuals was unfounded. I found the entire pitch to be very professional and highly compelling. The pain point of declining motor skills hits very close to home for me, as one of my three children was identified with a deficit in this area at a very young age. One recommendation that I would make regarding your description of the pain point, is to include additional information regarding the connections between writing or drawing by hand and neuro/cognitive development. Your solution of nano interactive papers is deceptively simple, but at the same time so well thought out. The comparability to real paper in terms of size makes great sense. The range of overlays also offers the user great options right out of the box. The fact that it is solar powered also makes the product highly attractive. If, as you state, this is truly the first product of its kind (tslearn’s review seems to indicate otherwise), competition does not seem to be a problem and you clearly describe the differences between your product and existing tablet technology. It is hard to argue with your ask/return numbers, and I like the way that you have compared the all in price at a “per class” level. This will be meaningful for your target market. All of this, combined with your own knowledge and experience as the CEO, make for a winning venture!

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2 Dec Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

Hi Tina, Good pitch. The only recommendation I would make would be to do a better search of your competitors. Sony has a product that seems to do what you describe at a different price point. So your competitive advantage is on price and the quality of the material you are using, not features. I also wonder how 24 of these devices will sound when they are all acting in unison in a class of 24 students. Might drive some teachers mad, or perhaps there is headphone support. All and all, a really a good job. I would like to buy the 49% of your imaginary shares with an imaginary $1,000,000 and contribute an imaginary line of credit of another 2 million; as well as provide consulting, free of charge, on product development and product management strategies.

2 Dec
0 Thumbs Up!
tslearn @tslearn

Hi Tina, Good pitch. The only recommendation I would make would be to do a better search of your competitors. Sony has a product that seems to do what you describe at a different price point. So your competitive advantage is on price and the quality of the material you are using, not features. I also wonder how 24 of these devices will sound when they are all acting in unison in a class of 24 students. Might drive some teachers mad, or perhaps there is headphone support. All and all, a really a good job. I would like to buy the 49% of your imaginary shares with an imaginary $1,000,000 and contribute an imaginary line of credit of another 2 million; as well as provide consulting, free of charge, on product development and product management strategies.

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30 Nov Posted on A3: Nano Interactive Paper

REVIEW: I love the idea behind this application! You have definitely identified a viable pain point. I have personally noticed a decrease in fine motor development and it was nice to have some research supporting this notion. The championship behind the product is excellent. You have a ton of experience as an educator and a parent who personally experiences the pain point issue. The Venture pitch described the product well and I was not left wondering what the product had to offer. You have also done an excellent job of identifying expensive competitors. Its ease of use, accessibility and size are definitely sellable features. As an EVA, I would invest in this venture.

30 Nov
1 Thumbs Up!
brittany reid @breid84

REVIEW: I love the idea behind this application! You have definitely identified a viable pain point. I have personally noticed a decrease in fine motor development and it was nice to have some research supporting this notion. The championship behind the product is excellent. You have a ton of experience as an educator and a parent who personally experiences the pain point issue. The Venture pitch described the product well and I was not left wondering what the product had to offer. You have also done an excellent job of identifying expensive competitors. Its ease of use, accessibility and size are definitely sellable features. As an EVA, I would invest in this venture.

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