Inception (but not the DiCaprio kind)

Let's kick this off!

There are plenty of stories to tell and this blog is probably coming later than it should have, but hey, it's here now!

First, let me share a bit of the back story, before I jump into present day.

Then

One year ago, I was invited to join a private group of local entrepreneurs (Thanks, Charlie), for what would prove to be the inception point and catalyst for a remarkable journey.

Not long afterwards, another local startup-centered individual received the same invitation.  His name is Ryan Keener and it turned out that he and I have a lot in common.  We're both  PSU engineers who began our careers at corporate juggernauts (HP, Intel, GE, IR), who found ourselves driven by a unique set of passions, which oftentimes aren't easily satisfied within a "traditional" career path.

While the personality traits required of someone who is willing to leave a respected job in a less-than-competitive job market aren't quickly summarized; optimism, tenacity and a high level of risk tolerance all probably fall within the top ten.

Anyway, after a few coffee-laced chats (usually ending with either the restaurant closing or us being kicked out so other people could be seated), Ryan and I knew we had to make something happen, and it had to be soon.

Enter DeliveryCrowd. (Think crowd-sourced task completion, where smartphone-enabled drivers are connected, real-time, with businesses who need their service.  Restaurants with no delivery option, now have one; and restaurants that already deliver, now have more capacity.)

The DeliveryCrowd story essentially starts with our acceptance into the TechCelerator business accelerator.  This is where Ryan and I, with the help of our highly supportive mentors, Pam and Dick, formulated the idea and pivoted it from a good idea to a great one.

By design, each session was a challenge.  At the end of it, we would either have a better, stronger idea or we would have the clarity to know we need another idea.  Either way we would be better off.

The TechCelerator culminated with a presentation to a Shark Tank style interrogation from individuals whose success we hope to replicate.

Now

Soon after TechCelerator, we applied to and were fortunate enough to be accepted into the Millersville Software Productization Center (SPC).

The SPC is a huge deal and I still can't seem to wipe the smile off my face.  In short, we work hand in hand with some of Millersville's finest students (Bob & Logan - Computer Science; Bri & Adam - Graphic and Interactive Design; and Dan - Business and Marketing) and faculty (Dr. Schwartz, Prof. Mata, Dr. McCaskey & Dr. Irwin).

The quality and talent of the team is top notch and their dedication to making DeliveryCrowd a success is simply refreshing.

There's still plenty of work to be done in the weeks and months ahead, but DeliveryCrowd's implementation milestones are being met and our goals are within eyesight.  Wow.

If you are reading this (and have continued to this point) you are probably someone who has helped us get to this point - so thank you!  If you are here and we have yet to meet, please reach out.  We are a collaborative bunch and want to hear from you!

That's it for now; I'll keep you updated on the progress to come.

-Fran Gillott