A big cup

Sarasota engineer-turned-entrepreneur William Merritt, nearing his 80th birthday, is crystal clear about his endgame with the Laptop Butler, an invention that took eight years and at least $100,000 to bring to market.

Merritt's first goal is to quickly generate market validation for the product, a cup holder with a mesh pouch designed to protect laptop computers from spills. Then he wants out. He wants to sell it or license it to a bigger company, then pass the proceeds on to his children.

“A lot of people don't start a business when they are 78,” Merritt says, “but I got something I think will be a moneymaker for several years to come.”