Burlington Free Press

With millions of iPods sold each year, Vermont's innovators and entrepreneurs are developing ways to cash in on Apple's success. Roughly 42 million iPods have been sold since their introduction in October 2001, and more than 2,000 accessories are made specifically for the high-tech music device, according to Apple Computer Inc. Ben Kaufman, a 19-year-old freshman at Champlain College, founded Mophie Inc. and is responsible for 11 iPod accessories.

After gaining recognition for creating the Song Sling, which allows an iPod to be worn around a person's neck, Kaufman won the backing of Vermont investors who funded his recent trip to the Macworld Expo in San Francisco -- bringing his ideas to the national stage. Costing between $20 and $40, the Relo line-up includes a splitter (allowing two people to listen to one iPod), an extra battery pack (allows for 30 more hours of play time) and an FM transmitter (which allows an iPod to be played on any radio). The iPod reviewer iLounge.com, which is not affiliated with Apple Computer, honored Mophie's "Relo" line with one of 13 "Best in Show" awards presented this year. "It's been madness ever since," Kaufman said.

Linckia Development of Williston, a concept-to-market venture development company, is one organization that has taken note. Family and friends funded the development of the Song Sling, Kaufman said, but the next 10 products of the Mophie's "Relo" line are being rolled out with help of several investors at Linckia. "I don't think I can come up with a market that is this competitive and growing this fast," Kaufman said, estimating there are at least 200 companies developing iPod accessories. Big market/little gadget CNET, which covers emerging technology, reported iPod accessories sales topped $850 million in 2005, not including Internet sales. Chuck Wobby, Linckia's chief financial officer, first learned of Kaufman's Song Sling from Middlebury-based Fresh Tracks Capital, a venture capital firm.

"Fresh Tracks said, 'Here's a kid with a great idea and wonderful market, but he needs some help,'" Wobby said. "What he had was a great idea, but he really didn't have a business infrastructure or sales and marketing department."

Several managers of Linckia independently invested money -- Wobby declined to say how much - in Kaufman and his ideas. And Linckia is providing Mophie customer service and administrative help, including sales and marketing expertise.

"In return for equity (in Mophie) we will provide support and guidance," Wobby said. "He's a kid with a great idea. But he's 19 years old," he said. "He's not familiar with VC firms, budgeting and cash flow. Those are the things we do."
Kaufman stresses that Mophie, which is an amalgam of the names of his two Golden Retrievers, Molly and Sophie, is not just an iPod accessory company.
"We're a product development firm that's dedicated to nothing more than innovation." Mophie is located in Burlington and has 12 or 13 employees, three of whom work full time, Kaufman said.

By Dan McLean Free Press Staff Writer

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