Ryan Gessner competed in the Proof of Concept Competition, and his idea could be used to benefit troops fighting in wars around the globe.  His entry was built around an idea for a wireless communication network for soldiers helmets that uses both sound triangulation technology and pressure as the mode of communication between a mobile device and an end user. Such technology has the potential to be useful in military settings; enabling soldiers to quickly determine the location of their enemy’s gunfire. “I learned that just because an idea makes perfect sense to you, people won’t understand it or believe it is feasible unless you really spell it out for them. I underestimated the amount of background information and market analysis that was required."

Ryan’s passion and determination were essential to his success in this year’s competition, as it was his second attempt with a new idea. “When someone who knows more than me beats my idea down and says that it won’t work because of reasons a, b, and c, I developed my persistence...because I knew the idea was good, I just didn’t sell it well enough the first time around.”

Ryan won’t be continuing to pursue his idea in the immediate future, as he is headed to grad school, but did speak to one of the competitions judges about the militaries use of such an innovation. “It’s nice to know that I’ve got an idea in my back pocket that I can pull out if nothing else goes well. For now though, I’m not ready to put it all on the line for the idea.”  We’re sure that grad school will provide lots of opportunities for Ryan’s creative mind to innovate new solutions to old and new problems alike.