Venture for America Company Spotlight with NuLabel Technologies located in Providence, Rhode Island:
NuLabel Technologies, Inc. is an adhesive and printer hardware technology company developing innovative label platforms to help companies cut cost and reduce waste. NuLabel has developed patent pending liner-free label technology that uses an activateable adhesive to eliminate the need for the liner.
One of the founders of Nulabel, Max Winograd, tells us more:
1. Tell us about Nulabel Technologies.
NuLabel began as a Brown University engineering project dedicated to solving the liner problem.” As the two-semester project came to a close, Ben Lux a polymer chemist, Mike Woods an engineer, and Max Winograd a political science major, saw a chance to start NuLabel and invent an innovative solution that changes the way the world uses labels. NuLabel participated in Betasprings inaugural program in 2009. After Betaspring, NuLabel worked out of the Rhode Island Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RICIE). In the summer and fall of 2010, NuLabel raised over $1.5 Million from angel investors. In March 2011, NuLabel relocated to a 4,000 SF R&D Facility in the Knowledge District in Providence and has since hired 10 new full time employees to accelerate the development of its liner-free label solution. Since then, NuLabel closed a second round of financing and is gearing up for field tests with some of the largest end users of labels in early 2012.
2. Name a fun fact about NuLabel Technologies.
We have a bunch: Every Tuesday during the spring, summer, and fall is BBQ Tuesday where we grill lunch for the whole team in our courtyard. During the winter, every Tuesday is Bagel Tuesday. We screened Office Space in honor of Labor Day Weekend, and team members surf with our accountant bright and early on the weekends. Our mantras are: “It Takes What It Takes”; “Fly Low, Fly Far”; “Prove Yourself Wrong”; and “Have a Vision. Be Demanding.”
3. What does your ideal Venture Fellow look like?
Our team consists of very entrepreneurial engineers and chemists. We are looking for problem solvers who thrive under the challenge of developing an innovative technology to solve a problem that has persisted for 80 years. For a mechanical engineer, a background in Solidworks and designing electro-mechanical systems are the most vital skills. For an electrical engineer, a background in Altium and circuit board layout and assembly are the most vital skills. And for a chemist or chemical engineer, a background in polymer chemistry, adhesives, coatings, and polymer analysis are great experiences to have.
4. What is the daily office routine like?
Our lab is grand central station at 7:30AM, but we don’t have an official start time. We’re here early and work late, and we bring in dinner for anyone that stays past 6:30PM. The adhesive and engineering teams have weekly rundown meetings to go through projects and discuss any updates on product development.
To find out more about Nulabel Technologies:
Web: http://www.nulabeltechnologies.com/
Twitter: @NuLabel