Richard Neumann

	Richard Neumann
	Ventures

	DIGITAL PRINTING/FLEXIBLE PACKAGING: In 2003, launched PrintQue a revolutionary idea based on the latest in digital web presses being introduced into the high-end label industry. The need was integrate the printing, with finishing and digital (laser) die cutting. The problem was that none of these systems was integrated by a single manufacturer. This required we design a proprietary software and hardware interfaces that would allow these systems to be physically connected and controlled so as to operate as a single unit. We pushed the system upstream to manage the image files through the process and the shop floor and order processing. To the end user this became a plug in application to programs like PhotoShop and Quark. The company launched at the tail end of dot-com bust, which corresponded with a collapse in the industrial printing market. Although the concept is still cutting edge and the talk of the recent GaphExpo, finding a suitable venture backer has been difficult.

	INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING: In 2005, I followed a life long dream of publishing and launched Stone In The Surf Press. I raised the private funds necessary to launch the company and brought two titles to print. The company is scheduled to launch two additional titles in the first quarter of 2007. During the development of the marketing, ecommerce, distribution, fulfillment and opening the international markets, we discovered a large market of authors facing similar difficulties. This spawned the development of iPubKit a service dedicated to providing the essential nuts and bolts for the entrepreneurial author/independent publisher. The company is set to launch in the early part of 2007.

	FILM & TELEVISION: In 2005, I developed Valley of the Moon Romances a video romance novel concept. The idea attracted the attention of Kendal Jackson Vineries. The idea was to create a series of romance novels in video format that would be as available to the general public on DVD or download as the common romance novel. Romance novels make up 60% of the fiction sold in America each year. This represents a market of $1.7 billion. From this concept came a request to pitch the idea in a slightly different manner. I then created In Search of the Next Great Romance Novelist, a series concept for a reality-based show that would pit writers and actors against each other to see who could create the most compelling romances. This concept is still under consideration by several production studios. After a recent trip to Japan, I realized that the concept of Valley of the Moon Romances would fit well into the emerging content market for cell phones. Japan is operating on the next generation of phones. When the US adapts to the G3 platform, an opportunity will exist to be a unique content provider. I am working with several multi-media delivery companies to develop this idea. Another concept is for Amazing Kids Rooms, a derivation on the “home improvement” show. This show would create unique and creative rooms for children with special needs or terminal illnesses. Each episode would combine students from local high schools and colleges with industry artists to transform a very special child’s room. This concept is also under consideration.

	COPPER RECOVERY: In 1995, COGNIS a technological Incubator for the Henkel Company was successful in commercializing one of its seven technologies. The process named MECER was developed to recover copper and enchant from printed circuit board manufacturing processes. The business was in its early stages with several working units in the field. In 1996, Henkel announced its decision to close down non-core divisions such as COGNIS. I assembled a group of employees that were key to the business, prepared a business plan and solicited backers. We were successful in locating a backer and submitted a bid to Henkel to purchase the MECER business. Henkel chose not to sell any portion of COGNIS at that time.

	BIOREMEDIATION ENHANCEMENT PRODUCTS: In April of 1993, Grace / Sierra made the decision to discontinue marketing and sales support of its MAX BAC controlled release nutrient for use in bioremediation, but would continue to produce the product for an outside sales and marketing firm. I pulled together the marketing manager for bioremediation, a former Grace / Sierra executive and a financial analyst to determine if it was possible to form a company to sell enhancement products. We determined that this was a large market in which there is no established distribution network for enhancement products. This is a slow growth market that would require generating $3 million of seed funding to carry the company through its early years before a break-even level of sales could be reached. A business plan was made and presented to seventy-five venture capital firms, private investors and corporations. This venture is being successfully run by the former Grace / Sierra executive.

	EXOTIC HARDWOODS: In a search for alternative and more valuable crops to raise on our family farms in Kansas we came across black walnut. Research showed that black walnut is a native to that region of Kansas and is one of the few woods, which has an escalating value, exported in high quantity, and is sold by the pound vs. board foot. We worked closely with the Kansas department of Forestry in Hays and established a test plot of several acres with 1,200 trees. The success of this venture has prompted us to begin expanding our timber lot by two to three acres each year. The first harvest of wood is expected to be in the year 2010.

	RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: In 1988, concerned about the economic conditions in rural Kansas we set out to find a way to bring businesses into economically depressed areas. The approach was to create local entities, which could purchase active businesses from other parts of the country and relocate them. We worked with local Economic Development Agencies and Dr. Jack McCullick, Dean of the School of Business at Fort Hayes State University to develop a proposal for a Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the USDA. Our proposal received endorsement from Governor Mike Hayden, Senator Bob Dole, Congressman Pat Roberts and the Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce, Harland Priddle. Funding was available for less than 10% of the proposals submitted and our proposal went unfunded. Despite the lack of grant funding we strongly believed in our idea. Using a model which I developed we selected the most ideal company from the hundreds we reviewed and prepared a presentation to local investors in Rush County, Kansas. Due to exceptionally poor economic conditions and the problems of managing a proposal such as this from half way across the country it was difficult to generate the local support necessary to make this a success.

	AQUACULTURE: I took an interest in Aquaculture as the new and upcoming source of food for the world. Research into seafoods harvested from California Fish and Game studies showed that Abalone had a history of declining natural supply and increasing demand and price. A pilot farm was built and specimens collected locally. We were able to artificially create the environment, which promoted breeding and were successful in raising abalone to the juvenile stage. The project was abandoned due to the massive amount of fresh kelp, which has to be made available for food.

	AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN: During the gas shortage and increase in price per gallon in the late 1970s, I formed a small company to design and build a lightweight, high mileage or alternative fuel commute car. Our design criteria required that the car hold two adults, six bags of groceries, be able to accelerate, maintain 45 mph, and achieve close to 100 mpg. The prototype chassis achieved this with the use of a small displacement alcohol engine and an infinitely variable transmission to optimize engine output and speed. It was determined that the vehicle would be marketable when gas reached the then projected two dollars per gallon. The fall of gas prices and the increasing safety demands by the Department of Transportation led us to disband the company.

	PUBLISHING / PRINTING: In 1973 I completed a training course in photo-offset printing at the San Jose Regional Vocational Center. With that training, I was able to land a job with a publishing company, R&E Research Associates. In 1975, with the help of R&E I opened my own company printing short run books and service manuals. At its peak, the company employed me, on full-time press operator running two high-speed presses and one full-time plus several part-time collators. In 1976, I sold the business to one of my largest customers, Trend Data in Sunnyvale and devoted my time to completing a four-year business degree in three years at San Jose State.

	MOVIE MEMORABILIA: My first business venture was born in 1971 out of my love of old books and movie memorabilia. For several years, I sold rare books, movie posters, stills and other collector’s items through a mail order catalog, conventions and trade shows.