JVIC & CoxHealth Collaborate to Create Critical Supplies

The global COVID-19 pandemic has hospitals around the world looking for new ways to keep patients and healthcare professionals safe.

While supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) run short around the world, Missouri State University’s Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC) has opened its doors to help. The innovation center has been working closely with CoxHealth to create PPE for healthcare workers using 3D-printing and laser-cutting technology.

From Prototype to Production

With the COVID-19 situation changing rapidly, it was important that the concept could be executed quickly. This impressive collaboration saw concepts move from initial idea to production in less than two days.

Scott Rogers, system director of Performance Integration and Innovation at CoxHealth wears a PPE prototype inside JVIC on March 18, 2020

“Challenges like COVID-19 cause organizations to look outside the box to find solutions, which is what we’re doing to help provide PPE for our local healthcare workers,” says Scott Rogers, system director of Performance Integration and Innovation at CoxHealth. “This is an exciting development that we hope will make a real difference for our staff and other health systems across the country and around the world.”

View the full video from CoxHealth on YouTube.

Prototyping Personal Protective Equipment

Using examples of existing PPE, JVIC Research Technician Jon Keeth identified a way to cut and provide the plastic face shields. CoxHealth leadership worked alongside Keeth to develop a design that would use existing and readily available PPE parts. After designing and printing nose pieces on 3D printers and laser cutting the plastic face shields, the pieces were assembled with the existing PPE parts for a finished and reusable face shield.

Each component of the shield can be taken apart and replaced separately, making them both efficient and easy to supply. In addition, each component can be cleaned thoroughly according the hospital’s stringent guidelines and used again.

“We are pleased to be able to answer the call and assist CoxHealth solve an immediate problem related to COVID-19,” said Allen Kunkel, Associate Vice President for Economic Development and Director of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center at Missouri State University. “I am proud that we were able to step up so quickly to design a solution with the CoxHealth team that will meet their needs, and can also be shared with other healthcare systems across the nation.”

Photos of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center and Research Technician Jon Keeth. Photos courtesy of Starboard & Port.

A Commitment to Innovation

Laying the groundwork for innovation and continuous improvement is no easy task. It’s one thing to be nimble and pivot quickly if you’re a startup. It’s another thing entirely if you’re an organization made up of more than 12,000 people in one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country.

The challenge doesn’t dissuade CoxHealth. Their leadership remains committed – in terms of time, money, and energy – to continuous improvement and rapid innovation. We witness it firsthand through our ongoing partnership on corporate innovation events and the Springfield Entrepreneurial & Innovation Network.

“We have been purposeful about innovation at CoxHealth. It’s very fulfilling that, thanks to this groundwork, we are at a place to help keep our employees – and many other healthcare professionals – safe,” says Rogers.

While it feels like a lifetime ago now, it was only a few months ago when they blew us away at the fifth annual CoxHealth Innovation Accelerator.

Improving Access for All

The foundation of the shields was created using supplies most hospitals already have on hand. Other pieces required partnering with the innovation center for materials, which was supported by JVIC affiliate Brewer Science.

While this work has been done right here in Springfield, Missouri, CoxHealth intends to share the designs with interested health systems around the world.

In times like these, it’s comforting to know you have a worldwide leader in healthcare in your backyard.

Kutak Rock joins efactory partner program

We’re excited to announce Kutak Rock as the most recent addition to the efactory partner program.

About Kutak Rock

More than 50 years ago, Kutak Rock’s founders set out to create a different kind of law firm — where attorneys are empowered to practice law with an entrepreneurial spirit, are committed to doing what is right for clients and are dedicated to putting high-quality legal services within reach. 

Since being formed in 1965 Kutak Rock has grown into a national law firm of more than 500 attorneys with offices across the country. Founded in finance, the firm has evolved to become one the nation’s leading business law firms.

Kutak Rock in Springfield, MO

Kutak Rock’s Springfield office opened in July of 2018. Locally, their team has been engaged with the efactory and has a passion for assisting entrepreneurs.

The opening of the Springfield office added to Kutak Rock’s strong presence in the Midwest. Other Midwest offices include Kansas City; Wichita, Kansas; Omaha, Nebraska; and Fayetteville, Rogers and Little Rock, Arkansas. The firm also has offices across the country – spanning from California to the District of Columbia.

Kutak Rock’s Springfield offices occupy the former JQH Hotels & Resorts headquarters, spanning 12,000 square feet on the top two floors of the Hammons Building.

Let’s be partners

Our partner program is designed for organizations that want to support entrepreneurship and innovation in southwest Missouri. Partners receive valuable annual benefits in exchange for their support of the efactory.

Interested in learning more about what it means to be a partner? Contact us today to learn more. There’s always room at our table.

Missouri-Made Product on the Front Line in the Fight Against Coronavirus

As global Coronavirus cases surge, nations lockdown, and travel decreases, StepNpull global sales explode.

Springfield-Based StepNpull Leads the Fight Against Coronavirus

A Springfield-based company that aims to reduce the spread of germs and increase accessibly has seen interest and sales surge exponentially in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic.

StepNpull, a foot-operated door opener that mounts to the bottom of bathroom and interior doors, has seen steady growth since it was invented by founders Mike Sewell, Ron Ely, and Kelly Coddington in 2007.

We’re proud to call the StepNpull team members of the efactory family. The team moved into an office here in the building shortly after we first opened our doors. Since growing up and out into the community we’ve been cheering them on with both hands in the air, since their genius product leaves both hands free.

Responding to COVID-19

However, nothing could have prepared them for the spike in demand as the COVID-19 virus has traveled beyond Wuhan, China to the rest of Asia, Europe, Africa, The Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific nations.

Before the global pandemic, the product had already made it into offices of big names like Boeing, Coca-Cola, Ford, Facebook, Google, Walmart, St. Jude Research Hospital, NASA, and six branches of the U.S. Military.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, government agencies, healthcare facilities, tech giants, and universities have scrambled to create more sanitary facilities. Organizations that have flocked to the StepNpull innovation include The University of Iowa, Central Florida, California Santa Barbara, Syracuse, and Clemson University. Major companies include The Spaceship Company, Bayer, Nissan, Wawa, and Walgreens.

StepNpull door openers have also recently been installed in the Missouri Capitol building in Jefferson City, Missouri

Meeting Increased Demand with a Missouri-Made Product

“We have been hit with an overwhelming amount of demand for the product. It’s everything you dream of as a small business owner, but we need to make sure we are responding accordingly. We have looked at every part of our supply chain and we’re ramping up manufacturing to thousands of units a day in coordination with Missouri-based manufacturer.” says co-owner Mike Sewell.

The Missouri and American-made product is viewed as a cost-effective and simple solution that can be quickly implemented to prevent the spread of germs and increase accessibility in public facilities.

StepNpull is made from 70% recycled aluminum and can be installed onto any commercial door in five minutes.

“The social media response to our product has been the most interesting. People are tweeting to companies, to Piers Morgan, and even to the President, demanding the installation of StepNpull in all public facilities. Someone even started a Change.org petition to install our product in every McDonald’s location.” says Digital Marketing Manager Nick Simmonds.

Luckily for StepNpull, the team was thinking ahead. Before the outbreak, owners had established relationships with distribution partners in The United Kingdom, Slovenia, Australia, Hong Kong, and South Africa.

All distributors are also seeing increased interest and sales due to the global implications of the COVID-19 virus.

Contact StepNpull

If you’re still opening your doors with your hands, place an order for a StepNpull today.

For more information visit www.StepNpull.com or www.stepnpull.com/stepnpull-vs-coronavirus. For interviews, call Digital Marketing Manager Nick Simmonds at (618) 719-4472. Find products videos and more on YouTube.

Meet Cody Cox, Regional Small Business Consultant

Meet Cody Cox

There’s a new face around here! Through our partnership with the Missouri Small Business Development Center and MU Extension, we’ve grown our business consulting team.

Cody Cox has joined the team as a Regional Small Business Consultant focused on helping business owners start and grow their businesses.

Cody previously worked as a consultant in the veterinary industry. As the former owner of a veterinary practice appraisal and brokerage business, he’s familiar with the concerns of small business owners and knows how to help them find solutions.

With a degree in Business from Drury University, Cody is a self-proclaimed “numbers guy.” He likes to help people understand profitability, and feels strongly that everyone should have the opportunity to open a business. His main goal is to teach business owners to work smart and reduce their stress levels.

Learn More About Cody

We love some Q&A! Learn more about Cody below.

What do you like to do in your free time?

“I love to ride bicycles. I have a lot of different kinds. I have a new e-bike (with battery-powered assist) that is super fun. I ride them all—gravel, road, mountain bikes, all of them. I’ve been riding since I was about 14.”

What is your favorite or dream vacation?

“I think I took it! I went to Alaska for two weeks, and would love to go back for an entire summer. I want to drive up through the Canadian Rockies in a van, and live day-to-day—really immerse myself fully in the experience. Alaska is amazing.”

What type of business are you most excited to be working with?

“I’m not sure there’s a type—I worked exclusively with veterinarians for a long time, so I’m excited to be exposed to a variety of businesses through this opportunity. I’ve been looking for new stimulation and I’m excited to add diversity where I’m not doing the same thing every day.”

We’re Ready to Help You Grow

Cody is only one of the dedicated business consultants at the Missouri Small Business Development Center at the efactory. Meet the full team and view the training calendar, too!

Meet Sandra Smart, our Technology & Commercialization Business Consultant

Expanding Our Staff Team

Our staff team has seen some exciting changes lately! We’ve welcomed a new Accounting Specialist and created an entirely new business consultant role.

A grant from the Missouri Technology Corporation has allowed the efactory and Small Business Development Center to create a brand new staff position – a business consultant who will work closely with entrepreneurs who are exploring technology and product commercialization.

Meet Sandra Smart

We didn’t have to look far to find the right person for the job. Sandra Smart has been a full-time Regional Business Consultant with the Small Business Development Center since 2017, so she knows what it takes to help businesses grow.

She has now transitioned into the Technology & Commercialization role, where she’ll work closely with early-stage, technology-based entrepreneurs. She’ll help entrepreneurs assess the feasibility of business ideas, access early funding sources such as federal SBIR/STTR programs, and explore angel or venture capital investment. 

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to travel, golf, go to concerts and sporting events, and spend time with family.

What excites you the most about this position?

I’m super excited to be able to focus on providing assistance to tech companies in our area, connecting faculty and companies with innovative technology to federal grants and contracts through the SBIR/STTR program, and being a part of the continued entrepreneurial growth in Springfield.

What’s your dream vacation destination?

There are lots of destinations, but I’ll go with a relaxing one – Bora Bora – I love white sand beaches, clear blue waters, and the sound of the waves.

Meet Kim Dixon, our Accounting Specialist

Meet Kim Dixon

Internet, meet the newest member of the efactory staff team!

Kim recently join our team as an Accounting Specialist. That means she’ll be busy keeping all the finances and accounting in order here at the efactory.

Kim may be new to the efactory but she’s definitely not new to Missouri State. She previously worked in the Office of Student Engagement and knows all the ins and outs of university life.

We tackled the easier stuff in the official interview and saved the really hard questions for the blog post. Read on to learn more about Kim.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Free time….What’s that?? 🙂 In the rare event this actually happens, my first and foremost passion is hunting. Outside of that, you could find me catching up on one of the many books awaiting on Kindle, or if the weather is great I could be outside working on some landscaping project, or kayaking, or biking. Or trying out new eateries.

If you could have any one super power, what would it be?

I would like to have Samantha Stephens’s magical powers (Bewitched), specifically, I would use it to zap people who are rude! 😄

What are 3 things on your bucket list?

I’m a pretty simple gal, so my bucket list is simple too. My first desire would be to own a plot of land to hunt on…100 acres would be nice…with a log cabin or a pole barn home,  2) to harvest an elk and a bear,  3) to learn how to be a taxidermist.

Which fictional character would you most like to meet in real life?

The Cookie Monster….I can relate to him.  

Work With Us

Want to be part of the efactory team? We’re currently looking for an Operations Assistant to help us with everything from events to maintaining critical coffee supply levels. It’s the perfect gig for Missouri State students!

Great Southern Bank makes naming commitment to support the efactory

The local bank makes a naming-level gift to support entrepreneurship and economic development.

A Commitment to Entrepreneurship

The efactory is excited to announce that Great Southern Bank has made a naming commitment in support of the efactory and our expansion project. This generous gift will support the efactory’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation, support entrepreneurship, and grow businesses in southwest Missouri.

The physical space to be dedicated is located on the first floor of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. The room houses the efactory accelerator for thirteen weeks each summer and two strands of the GO CAPS program during the school year.

“The efactory is a vital resource for the growth and development of entrepreneurs and business owners in Southwest Missouri,” said Great Southern Bank President and CEO, Joe Turner. “We are proud to support their continued efforts in driving entrepreneurship and workforce development in our region.”

Great Southern Bank has a rich history of supporting the Springfield community and Missouri State University. The bank has been a member of the efactory’s partner program since 2015 and has assisted dozens of client companies through programs and services.

A Home for Growth & Innovation

The efactory accelerator program was launched in 2016. The program is designed to provide early-stage companies with capital, specialized programming, and introductions to follow-on funding. The program has invested in 17 portfolio companies, with applications for Cohort 5 opening December 1. Great Southern Bank has also made recent investments in the seed capital fund that invests in efactory accelerator portfolio companies.

The efactory also serves as the host location for two strands of the GO CAPS program. Students in the Business & Entrepreneurship and IT & Software Solutions strands work on real-world projects and job shadow with professionals at the efactory.

“Great Southern Bank is a great example of a Springfield success story. They have been amazing partners to work with and we truly value everything they do to assist startup companies. Our community is better because of Great Southern Bank. We are honored by their commitment to entrepreneurship and workforce development.” Rachel Anderson, efactory Director

About Great Southern Bank

Great Southern Bank was started in 1923 with a $5,000 investment. Today the bank has more than $4.9 billion in total assets and serves more than 150,000 households.

Headquartered here in Springfield, Missouri, Great Southern Bank has more than 1,200 dedicated associates and operates 100+ offices in eleven states across the country.

Great Southern is committed to helping make the communities they serve better places to live, work, and do business. The bank takes seriously their privilege and responsibility to provide services and capital to help communities grow.

About the efactory

It’s our mission to make Springfield, Missouri the best place in the country to start and grow a business. We serve entrepreneurs through office space, coworking, training events, business consulting, and more.

We believe in hard work, determination, and good ideas. Since opening our doors, efactory programs have:

• Assisted over 970 companies
• Created over 1,700 jobs
• Helped clients secure more than $78 million in capital and equity
• Helped clients secure more than $20 million in research and grant support
• Graduated 17 companies from the accelerator program
• Maintained a full lease occupancy rate with 45+ clients and 140+ employees since 2017

The efactory is proud to be part of IDEA Commons, Missouri State University’s vision to create an urban innovation park that includes residential, retail, commercial, and entertainment facilities supported by multidisciplinary university programs.

Mercy becomes efactory partner

Nothing makes us happier than a new partner. We’re excited to share that Mercy is the latest addition to the efactory partner program.

About Mercy

The Mercy health system’s heritage dates back more than 185 years.

It began with an Irish woman named Catherine McAuley, who wanted to help poor women and children in Dublin, Ireland. In 1827, she opened the first House of Mercy in Dublin, intending to teach skills to poor women and educate children. A few years later, Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy, the first religious order not bound to the rules of the cloister. By the time Catherine died in 1841, there were convents in Ireland and England, and in 1843, the Sisters of Mercy came to the United States.

In 1871, they traveled to St. Louis and throughout the Midwest, forming what is now known as Mercy.

Today Mercy serves millions annually. The system was named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2016-2019 by IBM Watson Health.

Mercy includes more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty hospitals, 900 physician practices and outpatient facilities. The system is made up of more than 45,000 coworkers and 2,400 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Let’s be partners

Our partner program is designed for organizations that want to support entrepreneurship and innovation in southwest Missouri. Partners receive exciting annual benefits in addition to the warm fuzzies that come with supporting the efactory.

Interested in learning more about what it means to be a partner? Contact us today to learn more. There’s always room at our table.

The Arc of the Ozarks joins efactory partner program

Nothing makes us happier than a new partner. We’re excited to announce The Arc of the Ozarks as the most recent addition to the efactory partner program.

About The Arc of the Ozarks

In 1959, a small group of parents recognized the need for services for children with developmental disabilities. A support network was built for these children and their families, resulting in the 1964 establishment of The Arc.

Today, The Arc of the Ozarks serves individuals with a variety of disabilities. Services include residential, education, dual diagnosis, medically fragile, day habilitation, therapeutic recreation, advocacy, autism services, employment, and psychological counseling.

Their vision? “To be a leader in service delivery for persons with disabilities by providing an array of supports and services to integrate them into their communities and to enhance the quality of their lives.”

Let’s be partners

Our partner program is designed for organizations that want to support entrepreneurship and innovation in southwest Missouri. Partners receive exciting annual benefits in addition to the warm fuzzies that come with supporting the efactory.

Interested in learning more about what it means to be a partner? Contact us today to learn more. There’s always room at our table.

Mentorship designed for entrepreneurs

The efactory and Missouri Small Business Development Center at Missouri State University are excited to launch a new mentorship program to assist local entrepreneurs.

Through the program, founders and small business owners will gain access to some of our community’s most experienced owners and business leaders.

Experienced experts

Today’s business owners are looking for honest advice and practical feedback. Our curated group of business mentors have diverse backgrounds, a wide range of skill sets, and understand what it’s like to be a business owner.

They’ve built brands, launched products, and scaled operations. And now they’re sharing their expertise with us.

Meet the mentors

We’ve gathered a great group of mentors for the program’s pilot run. Additional mentors will debut after the new year.

Meet the nine pros who are helping us kick things off.

Dan Cobb

An experienced entrepreneur who has built, scaled, and successfully exited multiple healthcare technology companies. Learn more about Dan.

Tamara de Wild

Legal counsel with an eye for innovation. Learn more about Tamara.

Luke Kuschmeader

A serial entrepreneur who has most recently built and grown an internationally recognized product line. Learn more about Luke.

Chris Lazzaro

Technology pro. Adjunct instructor. Startup founder. Revolutionary. Learn more about Chris.

Jordan McAdoo

Community building, event facilitating, app developing, remote working powerhouse. Learn more about Jordan.

Teresa McGeehan

From being a 16 year old crew member to owning 19 McDonald’s with 1500 employees across the state. Learn more about Teresa.

Scott Rogers

Helping our region’s largest employer innovate from the inside out. Learn more about Scott.

Jeff Schrag

It’s about more than beer. Schrag has owned and operated multiple business with ties to media, retail, and hospitality. Learn more about Jeff.

Jim Wilson

What happens when an M&A attorney decides to open a bar? It’s bound to be interesting. Learn more about Jim.

Thanks to our supporters

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Missouri Technology Corporation, a program of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.