Fisher Blazes mobile banking trail with first patent

Blaze Mobile's patent is for what the Stanford and Berkeley trained industrial engineer calls a "mobile wallet."

She says, "Blaze combines the power of mobile commerce with all the things consumers love about retail shopping, watching movie trailers, purchasing tickets, points of interest with turn by turn instructions, maps, banking services and much more."

The arduous four-year process took a turn for the better when she took the unusual step of personally visiting the patent examiner in Washington, D.C. to explain her discovery.

Fisher, like Gerald Comissiong of Amarantus BioSciences in Sunnyvale and Mike Hurst of San Diego-based ChloroFill (see stories in Innovation & Equity) are among the fast-growing companies participating in the Catapult Innovation Competition's latest Patent Parlor on Saturday, June 18 at The Tech Museum of Innovation, sponsored by Georgia Aerospace and Green Energy Transportation Systems.

More than 1,000 African-Americans gain patents each year, but like research scientist Mike Molaire, who gained 57 patents while at Eastman Kodak, often see the lions share of rewards go to their employers.

As part of a day of focus on black manufacturing pioneers, which includes the premiere of A Great Day in Gaming: From South Bronx to Silicon Valley--The Gerald A. Lawson Story and two panels of black technologists plus the culmination of an eight-day teacher institute, Catapult participants will get to share their vision before potential investors, analysts and stakeholders, visibility rare for black entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, the global hub of venture capital.

"When I worked at large companies, I was always coming up with new ideas," recalls Fisher. "Some got support and went on to be successful, but I didn't pursue getting patents.

Since the 11th annual 50 Most Important African-Americans in Technology Innovation & Equity Symposium Jan. 15 in Washington, D.C., Catapult has searched for black-owned ventures with the scale to reach global markets such as veteran black manufacturers like Roy Clay Sr. with Rod-L Electronics.   By the eighth National Black Business Month in August, 50 such companies will be recommended for increased investor and market interest.

To participate in Catapult as an angel or participant, register online.