Unique Ideas Win Support from StartUp Worcester

Entrepreneurs with ties to QCC bring their business ideas to reality

Despite being only 14, Kayalani Antonelli already has big plans to open a youth maker space, which she hopes will expose other children to STEM opportunities and ideas.

She plans to open I’mPossible Workshop, for ages 4-15 to explore STEM activities through the use of technology such as 3D printers, lasers and wood cutting tools. With ideas such as a drop-off co-op, workshop classes and babysitter training, Miss Antonelli hopes to open the first youth maker space in Worcester this fall.

She has visited similar spots in Boston, Acton, Providence and other cities, and said they are vibrant additions to the community.

“Maker Mill in Andover is an example I would like to emulate,” she said. The Maker Mill is a community makerspace and STEM enrichment center for kids, teens and adults. The program offers drop-in programs as well as specific workshops, afterschool and summer programs. Programs range from jewelry making, Battle Bots, soldering and circuits, and coding.

“Our youth maker space will be taking the best components of current maker spaces and incorporating new innovative classes and ideas consistently,” she said.

Miss Antonelli was one of two winners of StartUp Worcester 2016 with ties to QCC. StartUp Worcester is an initiative of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Venture Forum and Running Start, to support new business while at the same time retaining and encouraging recent college graduates to grow their businesses in Worcester.

Daniel Persiantsev, 24, of Shrewsbury, sees his winning idea still evolving as well. Initially proposed as an app that would connect people with similar fitness goals, he is now looking to expand his FIT app to include virtual reality fitness classes or training.

“I am a P90X and P90X2 enthusiast. Getting in shape and becoming healthy and fit has made me a more confident person,” he said. He would like to make fitness more accessible and affordable for more people who might not have the time or money to spend in a gym.

After attending a recent event at MIT about virtual reality and learning more about the technology, he is looking to include that component in his app to expand the possibilities.

“It is amazing how the world is evolving and changing,” he said. “This could create the possibility that you could work out with anyone in the world. I think VR is the next big thing and this would fuse that concept with fitness.”

He gave the example of choosing a yoga partner or personal trainer, and then the VR allows you to see a 360-degree view of a yoga pose or certain exercise.

“Winning the StartUp is an exciting opportunity,” he said. “Worcester has a lot of resources, and a creative community. This will be a great stepping stone.”

Mr. Persiantsev graduated from QCC in 2013 with an associate degree in applied arts. He works as a consultant for a small development shop. He previously had a graffiti business, working with fonts and colors to design logos and t-shirts for teams and individuals. He said attending QCC really broadened his interest in design.

Miss Antonelli is homeschooled and came up with idea to open a local youth maker space with her sisters and her mother. Before moving to Worcester three years ago, she lived in Florida, where she was involved with an NXT Robotics team. She also is interested in VEX Robotics.

She started at QCC last fall, taking statistics, English I and II and college algebra courses. She said the teachers have been very helpful at QCC.

Since her original presentation, Miss Antonelli has expanded the idea to include STEAM sitter training for babysitters. They would be trained in how to encourage art and technology activities and receive an activity bag with STEAM ideas to use with the children they babysit. STEAM adds Art into the STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics movement.

She said she is exploring renting space from C.C. Lowell, an art supplies store in Worcester that offers art classes and special events.

“I think it is a great idea to have a contest like this,” Ms. Antonelli said of the Start Up competition. “It encourages the creation of new ideas and offers support. I am very excited to work with Start Up Worcester to support my entrepreneurship.”

Winners are awarded a full-year membership to the Chamber, The Venture Forum and Running Start. In addition to the benefits of membership in Running Start and the Chamber, both will host monthly events for the StartUp Worcester members. Events will be focused on specific topics that assist the start-ups such as seminars on product launches, networking events with venture capitalists or intellectual property attorneys, expert faculty from our campuses, and other events that support these young entrepreneurs.