Client Hall of Fame – Hartman EW, Inc.

Hartman EW, Inc.
Allegheny County
www.hartmanew.com

Bruce Hartman came to the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center with a patented idea for a common problem – capping off drain pipes and keeping a road from erosion over time. Armed with his patent and a good deal of research, Hartman approached the SBDC to assess his business plan and assist in the development of prototypes for his “endwall.”

Consultants saw the immediate potential within Hartman's solution. Springboarding from Hartman's research, the Duquesne SBDC performed a market analysis for his endwalls. This analysis directly impacted the focus of Hartman's business plan and gave Hartman a more comprehensive industry perspective.

While Duquesne consultants reviewed Hartman's plan, the engineering of the endwalls was directed to the Pennsylvania SBDC Network's Engineering Development Services at Bucknell University. Utilizing the perspective gained from consulting with Duquesne, the Bucknell SBDC finalized Hartman's product design and considered the most efficient process for manufacturing the endwalls. With access to engineering students, materials and process, the Bucknell SBDC created a rapid prototype of Hartman's endwall, giving Hartman the opportunity to better market his product to potential investors.

Naming his business Hartman EW, he has identified, pursued and earned investor support for his endwall concept and design. Since working with the SBDC, Hartman has left his position at PennDOT to pursue Hartman EW full-time.

Hartman is currently working with a SBDC consultant on writing a business plan for his second round of funding. Hartman EW is another example of an entrepreneur who is moving from an idea to a profitable business.