Harper , Beckstead , and Howlett demonstrated their new design to various footwear companies with little success .
Footwear companies started a company called Altra Footwear in 2009 , partnering with Pulse Labs , an engineering firm at Brigham Young University , and with contract manufacturers in Asia .
Harper , Beckstead , and Howlett demonstrated their new design to various footwear companies with little success , so they started a company called Altra Footwear in 2009 , partnering with Pulse Labs , an engineering firm at Brigham Young University , and with contract manufacturers in Asia .