What started as a small part-time business out of the trunk of his car has now led Wyoming resident Zach Green all the way to the White House.
Green, a volunteer Wyoming firefighter, founded his business, MN8 Foxfire, six years ago after realizing that photo luminescent technology could keep firefighters safer in dark, smoky conditions. Today, his company, which manufactures photo luminescent products that can be applied to clothing, tools or walkways and exits, has more than 15 full-time employees and its products are used by more than 65,000 firefighters in 25 countries
On Oct. 13-14, Green was invited to the White House to talk about his business and how he might help the federal government save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions with this technology. The invitation was a follow up after Green attended the Global Entrepreneurial Summit in Silicon Valley, California this summer where he mingled with entrepreneurs from around the world. The GES was founded in 2009 by President Obama as a way to promote global entrepreneurialism.
While at the summit in July, Green met with U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith who expressed a strong interest in using Green’s Foxfire products in federal buildings nationwide.
“She literally stood in a dark closet with me and saw what our products can do,” says Green. “She was impressed, and said our products could save the government money and reduce pollution through lower carbon dioxide output.”
That encounter led to Green’s Washington invitation and the chance to work with U.S. officials to place Foxfire egress signs in federal buildings. He also recently landed a valuable contract with Kroger to replace electric exit signs in their stores and buildings with his photo luminescent Foxfire signs. Green says his technology can save companies like Kroger $70 to $120 per sign per year in energy costs.
“It’s like a dream,” says Green of his business growth. “I started out of my car in Wyoming and now here I am going to the White House.”
He says he plans to continue to pursue more business with large companies and local and national governments where his products can provide increased safety at a fraction of the cost of conventional emergency lighting.
“I want to light up the world one exit sign at time,” he says.
