For enthusiasts restoring classic vehicles, from a vintage 1979 Honda sedan to a powerful 1969 Indian motorcycle, the quest for authentic, hard-to-find parts is a common challenge. Effingo, founded by Caleb King, is tackling this issue head-on with an innovative approach: utilizing a 3D metallurgic printer to produce these elusive components on demand, including crucial parts like the Accelerator Car Part. This groundbreaking method promises to significantly reduce both the cost and time traditionally associated with automotive restoration endeavors. King’s pioneering business concept secured the top prize of $2,500 at the UGA Entrepreneurship Idea Accelerator Demo Day on April 10, held at Studio 225, marking a significant step forward in the future of car part sourcing.
“As vehicle parts age, their availability diminishes, making them increasingly rare and considerably harder to locate,” explained King, a psychology student at UGA, to the panel of judges at the UGA Entrepreneurship pitch competition. He emphasized the critical need within the auto repair sector for solutions to this growing problem. “The crucial question is the extent of desperation among auto repair shops to overcome this parts scarcity, and the answer is profound. Effingo emerges as a game-changer, offering a significantly faster and more economical alternative compared to conventional parts suppliers, especially when seeking specialized components like an accelerator car part for older models.”
The $2,500 prize will be strategically invested in acquiring 3D object scanners. This acquisition will empower Effingo to digitally capture parts for printing directly, eliminating the current need to travel to an Atlanta-based lab for scanning. This advancement will streamline the production process and enhance efficiency, particularly beneficial for creating intricate parts such as an accelerator car part with precise specifications.
Leveraging the capabilities of 3D printing, Effingo is initially focused on supplying trim and various non-structural auto components. These parts, while essential for restoration projects, do not necessitate rigorous structural integrity testing, allowing for a quicker market entry. However, the Demo Day judges, experts in business and economics, recommended a strategic progression for Effingo. They advised that the next pivotal step should involve expanding into industrial-grade materials. This expansion would enable Effingo to produce parts, including critical components related to the accelerator car part system, that can undergo comprehensive safety and quality assessments, broadening their product range and market reach.
“Looking ahead, we believe your primary focus should be on the development of industrial-grade materials. This is crucial to ensure that the parts produced, including potentially structural elements or components integral to systems like the accelerator car part, can be rigorously tested for both safety and overall quality,” advised judge Christian Dyer. Dyer, an economics student at Terry College and founder of a nonprofit organization, also expressed a personal understanding of the challenges faced by vintage car owners, being a proud owner of a 1979 Honda himself.
The UGA Idea Accelerator program, a four-week intensive workshop, plays a vital role in nurturing student startups like Effingo. The program pairs UGA student entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who provide guidance in crucial areas such as customer discovery, financial literacy, and investor readiness. The UGA Entrepreneurship Program facilitates this growth through two cohorts of entrepreneurs each semester, fostering a thriving ecosystem of innovation.
To date, the program has awarded over $87,500 in startup funding, contributing significantly to the development of nascent businesses. It has also assisted 748 aspiring entrepreneurs in refining their business concepts, providing invaluable resources and mentorship.
While Effingo was recognized as the most immediate beneficiary of the Demo Day prize money, the judges also acknowledged other promising ventures. NB Coaching, an app-based fitness coaching service developed by UGA philosophy student Nathan Brown, secured second place. NB Coaching offers support to individuals using weight loss medications, guiding them in developing sustainable healthy habits to prevent weight regain. Embark, a carpooling application designed for college students, presented by management information systems student Venusha Buwaneka, earned third place, showcasing the diverse range of entrepreneurial talent at UGA.
The overarching mission of the UGA Entrepreneurship Program is to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among students and equip them for future leadership roles in the business world. UGA Entrepreneurship Program accelerators are accessible to both UGA students and members of the Athens community, fostering a broad spectrum of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Effingo’s success highlights the program’s effectiveness in supporting student-led ventures and driving innovation in areas like automotive part solutions, potentially transforming how enthusiasts source even specialized components like an accelerator car part for their restoration projects.
