Founder: Thomas Conrad, 21
Business: Vetro Gaming
What it does: Sells refurbished Gameboys and Gameboy modification kits
Founded: May 2020
No. employees: One
Website: vetrogaming.com
Twitter: n/a
LinkedIn: n/a
Instagram: @vetro.gaming
For Thomas Conrad, it’s all about the nostalgia factor. He wants gamers to be able to tangibly feel what they felt playing video games in their childhood. Conrad’s business, Vetro Gaming, enhances the late '80s and '90s Gameboys with modern technology with the intention of preserving the original console.
In the retro gaming community, using an original console is a frustrating venture. There are lots of technology gaps that Vetro Gaming closes through refurbishments and modification kits.
The more popular way of closing the technology gap is selling modification kits so that customers gain the satisfaction of tinkering with their own Gameboy. These modification kits primarily focus on making the Gameboy’s screen backlit, like an iPhone, so that the gamer does not have to position their Gameboy to catch the light.
Vetro Gaming also sells pre-modified Gameboys that Conrad refurbishes himself.
Conrad, a senior at Wake Forest, says the pandemic served as a catalyst for the retro gaming community, because people were dusting off their old Gameboys to experience it anew. Since launching in the summer of 2020, Vetro Gaming has been revenue positive and has currently made about $50,000.
At Wake Forest, Conrad has been involved with the Center for Entrepreneurship and participated in Deacon Springboard, a program that provides mentorships to young entrepreneurs. He has also been a part of Winston Starts and is currently in the Launch Lab 101 program at Launch Greensboro.
Conrad hopes to expand Vetro Gaming through other modifications, such as Bluetooth capability and speaker improvements. In addition, he is also in the process of testing a new service in which customers mail in their Gameboy and then Conrad refurbishes and sends it back to its original owner. Following his graduation from Wake Forest, he plans to continue with Vetro Gaming as well as seeking a marketing or consulting career.
How or where do you like to connect with like-minded innovators?
I have been able to connect with peer entrepreneurs through Wake Forest University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. Students have access to valuable professors, mentors and programs that guide us as we collaborate and share ideas. Winston Starts has also been a great place for me to connect with entrepreneurs during my internship there, and I have recently started my journey with Launch Greensboro’s Launch Lab 101 and Growth startup accelerator programs, where I am excited to continue meeting like-minded, innovative entrepreneurs.
How would you rate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Triad?
The Triad has an outstanding ecosystem for entrepreneurs with a strong support system of high-quality startup accelerators, incubators, investors and mentors. I have been impressed by how much Wake Forest and other local colleges and universities are integrated within the local entrepreneurship community. A large network of alumni choose to stay in the area to grow their startups, and that says a lot about the quality of resources available.
What’s one way that it could be better?
Not everyone outside of the Triad knows about the great resources the community offers. Consequently, there is a limited amount of funds available for founders seeking to raise capital. I believe that continuing recent initiatives that promote economic development in the area through entrepreneurship, like Winston Starts and Launch Greensboro, are what's needed to create a snowball effect that brings in and retains not only entrepreneurs, but also capital and investors.
How likely is it you will stay in and grow your business in the Triad?
I am excited to see what the future holds and where opportunities take me. I don't yet know where I will end up post-graduation, but I do know I can’t go wrong staying in the Triad. There is no shortage of opportunities for young entrepreneurs like myself to find high levels of success in the area, and I have already found amazing support through Wake Forest’s entrepreneurship center, Launch Greensboro and Winston Starts.
