NEW RIVER VALLEY (WSLS 10) - A company founded by two college dropouts doesn't sound like a smart investment. Especially when cofounder Lou Cirillo describes the early days.
"It was (cofounder) Caroline (Pugh) and me and a handful of friends along with some pizza and beer," he said.
Recommended Videos
But Cirillo and Pugh have a come a long way in the last 2 1/2 years.
Their 3D scanning company VirtualU scans a person's body to get exact shape and measurements, while also providing essential information like height, weight and body mass index.
The innovative technology is already in a gym in Washington D.C. and it's getting nationwide attention.
"It's always a great thing to be recognized with some of those things because it puts us on the map," Pugh said.
Entrepreneur Magazine named her one of the 15 female entrepreneurs to watch in 2015, an honor that speaks of the woman and the business.
"It gives customers, new investors or potential clients even more trust and endearment toward the actual mission of the company," Pugh said.
It's also giving students at Virginia Tech an example of a successful, home grown business.
"They're a huge inspiration in showing that instead of just talking about it, go do it," said Derick Maggard, the executive director of the school's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. "(Get them to) have a hands on experience by building and creating your own company."
VirtualU plans to expand up and down the east coast in 2015, adding 70 locations.
It's an ambitious goal for a company that a long way from pizza and beer.