Today we’d like to introduce you to John McDonough.
Hi John, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I invented and built the first Rocket Ball game in my basement in late 2021 out of a kid’s pool table. I filed a patent application shortly after. In 2022 I built a tabletop version out of wood, that would set on any table. It was 30 pounds. In August of 2023, I brought that prototype to Gen Con in Indianapolis. The world’s biggest game convention. 65 gamers played over 500 games on it. Surveys showed 75% found Rocket Ball more fun than air hockey or foosball. 90% wanted one for their homes. When I returned to Moorhead, I started Rocket Ball LLC with funds from myself and my wife, Lois. I then brought the prototype to Applied Engineering in Fargo. They designed it in plastic and aluminum. I assembled 5 prototypes using mostly 3D printed parts. I brought them to many events over the next couple of years while searching for angel investors. The molds to mass produce Rocket Ball were very expensive. In August of 2025 I brought in a few family members for some investment money and received regional state loans from MMCDC and WCI this past February. We now have molded parts, and rent a small assembly facility in Barnesville MN. We have now built almost 50 games,and sold 40 of them. Sales include to nursing homes, retirement community centers, bars and families for their kitchen tables. We currently have enough parts to build 200 games. We changed Rocket Ball LLC to a Delaware C corporation to make it easier to attract accredited investors. We are now Rocket Ball Inc. We may be looking for more investors in the future to purchase 10 percent of our shares. We are now entering some major Expos and conventions over the next year.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. All of our extra funds were going into the business and finding funding or investors was and is very difficult to do. Plus there have been many adjustments and part upgrades to get to the game we are currently assembling. I am also currently working 45 hours a week as a maintenance technician at the Federal Courthouse in Fargo.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been an HVAC mechanic since 1986, with my past 20 years as a maintenance technician at the Fargo Federal Courthouse. I have invented a few things over the years, but none with the potential of Rocket Ball. It’s a fast, fun game for all people ages 5 and up, that can be played anywhere.
What does success mean to you?
I am definitely not there yet. I never had any real children. My inventions are my kids, and they are very expensive and time consuming to raise. I would say Rocket Ball is a toddler almost in kindergarten. Success for me at this point, will be the ability to work full-time on Rocket Ball.
Pricing:
- $249.99 on our website www.rocketball.fun
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rocketball.fun
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BbizXWkKc/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/VbHQFSF2M60
