March 31, 2016

WindiGo Turbines' product is cheaper and quicker to build and install than its solar panel counterparts. Simply put, WindiGo makes vertical axis wind turbines that make renewable energy more feasible, with a quicker return on investment and a lower capital entry cost. This innovative solution to renewable energy needs has managed to catch the attention of some high profile publications. Currently, WindiGo is in a competition for Inc. Magazine's 16 Coolest College Startups and round 3 voting ends on Friday, April 1 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The competition is a March-Madness style tournament of college startups throughout the country. Cast your vote for WindiGo here, and help bring a Drexel student entrepreneur's product closer to victory.

While WindiGo is a relatively new company - the business officially started in September - Greg Donworth, founder & CEO, and his team have dealt with their boom in publicity and exposure like seasoned professionals. Day-to-day, in between managing their marketing efforts, the core focus for the team is product development and design. "We talk to potential customers every day and they have feedback and needs and requirements we want to apply," Donworth explains. Constructive feedback is crucial to their process and goal of becoming the first successful consumer targeted wind turbine company.

There have been companies who have created similar products in the past, but due to insufficient research and a lack of consumer education, they fell short. Donworth has a plan to make wind turbines for consumers finally work. While some firms in the past over exaggerated their claims, claims they ultimately could not live up to, Donworth says, "[WindiGo] will use education as the number one selling factor. We use live time and historical wind data and target geographic regions."

WindiGo found success in competitions outside of Inc. Magazine's as well. They took home the $500 first place prize in the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship Idea Pitch Competition. A competition which had 38 total pitches encompassing 19 different majors. They also placed third in a department of energy competition at Carnegie Mellon, winning $15,000 and the People's Choice Award for their idea.

Their entrance into the Inc. Magazine startup competition has brought a ton of exposure to WindiGo, speeding up the company's efforts and providing a platform to share their idea with the world. People nationwide and even internationally have contacted WindiGo Turbines, wanting to learn more about their product. Help WindiGo take the next step into round 3 and cast your vote here by 4:30 p.m. ET this Friday, April 1. To learn more about WindiGo Turbines, visit their site WindigoTurbines.com.

Christian Larsen, Communications, Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship