Ginni Designs

Alan and Wendy had developed a mount for flat-panel television screens, along with a patented, extendable, and retractable speaker system connected to these LCD and plasma screens. The initial goal was to raise the capital needed to complete product development, and accomplish manufacturing and sales. The disappointment and discouragement felt in the aftermath of being turned down by the Angels was part of what was dealt with in the initial counseling sessions.

“We needed mentoring. We had no help at all. We didn’t know where to find it,” said Alan Gillengerten.

Work progressed with a focus on operations, manufacturing, trade show contacts and possible product licensing. Meetings were with Alan, flying in, and once he was even driven back to the airport by his counselor Brook Cross. Everntually Alan, along with his wife Yvonne, and partner Wendy Cable all moved to southern California. This was , in part, to facilitate working with Tri-Tech and the Tri-Tech larger business community.

Tri-Tech helped this venture by keeping Alan and Wendy going through difficult times of “bootstrapping.” including relocation and second jobs. There were definitely times of little money, little validation, little hope. The tremendous persistence that Alan and Wendy have shown was channeled and sustained by regular periodic counseling. Eventually—but by no means immediately— their “ships came in.

” On the strength and “traction” afforded by the Chief agreement the client, working intensively with Brook Cross and the Tri-Tech staff, then began aggressively pursuing Angel funding. But this time it was from a position of much greater confidence and strength. The number and rigor of the practices was intensified. Alan, the main presenter, was very strong at about 80% of the key presentation points, and was just not getting it on about 20%. A memorable teachable moment occurring during a counseling session when Mr. Cross took the presentation outline out of Mr. Gillengerten’s hands and with raised voice demanded that he speak extemporaneously and convey the real power and specialness of the opportunity for investors within 2 minutes or less. Alan “got it” in that moment and shortly thereafter he achieved a real mastery of his “story” and opportunity for investors.

Alan then found himself along with partner Wendy on what could be called an “ Angel Presentation Tour.” He stood before Angel meetings in Irvine, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, and San Diego, as well as a special Tri-Tech conference in Riverside, over a period of several days. This tour did the trick and in December of 2006 the company received $500K in funding from a group of 7 Tech Coast Angels.

The story continues, as Alan and Wendy, their closest advisors in the Angels, and their Tri- Tech counselor work to place the additional licensing agreement(s) that will bring the targeted sizable return to fruition, and at the same time enhance the home entertainment experience of millions of consumers.