STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Rafe Lapham had an idea for a better pooper scooper.

Genevieve Chase invented a tastier, quick fix instant coffee for G.I. Joes and backpackers.

The two were among 16 local entrepreneurs who pitched their ideas to potential customers and investors this week at the Ketchum Innovation Center’s Startup Showcase.

Latham pedaled antiques in Ketchum antique fairs before he and his wife moved here in 2005 from New Hampshire. He and Martha Andrea set up Kearsarge Lodge Antiques in Bellevue and Lapham tinkered around with a number of inventions, including a sports capsule designed to hold sunglasses that he sold to Uvex.

He invented the Scoop D Doo three years ago, patented it and registered its trade mark in the United States and Canada. But he has yet to build a full size prototype and create a video illustrating the ease and efficiency of the product.

“I do a lot of bending down between cleaning up after three horses and four dogs,” said Lapham, who hopes to market his product through Amazon, eBay, DogTV and doggie trade shows. “You just push this up to the poop, tilt it forward to pick up the deposit and tilt the handle back for the doo to fall into the bin. And you’re ready for the next load.”

Coffee is big among those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq--more than 70 percent of military troops drink coffee, said Sgt.  First Class Army Reservist Genevieve Chase, who served in Afghanistan. But the coffee served up in MREs tastes awful, she added.

Chase came up with “Not Joe Coffee,” blending together a concoction of sugar, creamer and instant coffee. She packaged it in biodegradable packages for a nine-day training trip for climbing Denali in Alaska. A portion of the proceeds of the fair-trade organic coffee will go towards non-profits providing outdoor adventure programs for war veterans.

“I named it ‘No Joe Coffee’ because not every G.I. is a Joe,” she said. “It’s so convenient. When you’re waking up in freezing cold temperatures, all you want is a hot cup of coffee quick. Mine was ready in an instant whereas the other women had to spend time putting theirs together.”

Timmi Ryerson offered an overview of her Smart Property Systems, which specializes in full service property management software. The company automates the time-consuming tasks of property management, including tenant screening, bill collection, accounting and advertising. And it is about to be the first to market in the sector with graph database technology.

Conrad Cassner showcased his carbonic heat, which uses infrared to heat objects rather than the room. It is less expensive to install than hydronic and wire mat systems, he said.

Spencer Brendel launched his PlayHard GiveBack snack foods and energy bars made of nuts, seeds and dried fruit with the Ketchum-based Wild Gift program for young entrepreneurs.

“We’re selling mostly through hotels in places like New York, Florida and New Jersey,” said Brendel. “The next step is the sports stadium market as a healthier alternative to nuts and beer.”

Jon Duval, who oversees KIC, said the showcase was designed to provide a less formal open house for community to see what local entrepreneurs are up to.

“We hope they can make connections with customers, partners, mentors, investors,” he said, adding that he hoped to have a similar showcase next year.

The showcase was sponsored by Zions Bank, which is the No. 1 small business lender in Idaho.

“We sponsored something similar in Boise,” said Tracy Groll, regional president for Zions Bank. “Helping small companies like this helps both the banks and the companies so it’s a win-win.”