COLUMBUS, Ohio (COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST) — Archie Scott III, working in his first job as a mechanical engineer, was seeking entrepreneurial inspiration when he passed a laden tractor-trailer on the freeway.

The flatbed was carrying concrete temporary highway dividers – but only nine, because they’re so heavy. After some market research, Scott had the idea for the product he would patent to start his own company.

Asynt Solutions LLC raised $1.29 million to build lightweight, corrosion-resistant and flexible traffic barriers from fiber-reinforced polymer, which the startup will soon test with a handful of state highway departments. After starting the company in Dayton, Scott moved about a year ago with his fiancee to Columbus, where he’s looking to establish manufacturing capacity.

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