MATR Newsletter - Fri Aug 29, 2008 |
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"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." -- Daniel H. Burnham
If you're an entrepreneur looking for funding or you'd like to learn more about the process, this is an excellent opportunity to learn from the best and meet many potential funders. "Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association Assembles Inaugural Fall Forum in Sun Valley, Idaho to Showcase the Region's Premier Start-Ups" http://matr.net/articl ... .html --- If you're looking for exceptional software development talent, : "From the Big Hole to Custer’s Last Stand technology warrior, Bill Ruediger seeks next technological battle front in Big Sky Country." http://matr.net/articl ... .html
Media Accessibility
PrintingForLess
- National Federation of the Blind and Target Agree to Class Action Settlement on Website Accessibility
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Access to Web sites is critical to the full and equal participation of blind people in all aspects of modern life.
Missoula Children's Theatre
- Inc. Names PrintingForLess.com One of America's Fastest-Growing Private Printing Companies
“The Inc. 5000 recognition enforces our belief that you can exceed customer expectations while enjoying fast business growth.”
The Burton K. Wheeler Center
- “The Little Red Truck” about the Missoula Children's Theater Opens Nationally on September 5
Award-winning Documentary Film Proving to Be Big Hit with Kids and Their Parents
Come Home MontanaHighway 12 Ventures
- Melstone, Montana residents are growing their city after years of dwindling population
"L.A. is so crowded, and there is more of a community feel here," Field said. "I don't know that there is anything I miss from L.A."
- From the Big Hole to Custer’s Last Stand technology warrior, Bill Ruediger seeks next technological battle front in Big Sky Country.
If you have a software vision, company, project or idea you would like to discuss, Bill would love to hear about it.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Interview with Mark Solon on Venture Capital in the Rockies Fall in Sun Valley on Sept 9-11
Lets face it, folks that have succeeded in places like Silicon Valley and Boston are flocking to this region because it’s no longer just the greatest place to live in the world, now it’s becoming the greatest place to start a company.
Leadership Montana
- Eight Arkansas Two-year Colleges Offer Entrepreneurship Degrees
The entrepreneurship track is in line with Gov. Mike Beebe'seconomic development agenda for the state, addressing key components of entrepreneurship and small business development.
Montana Business
- How do you teach leadership in high school?
I’m hoping some of you will offer thoughts or experience. Anyone know of other programs like this? Or have experience running leadership programs for high school age students?
Montana Economic Development
- AMMTEC Ltd ASX sells interest in Missoula based Purity Systems Inc (PSI) for US$25 million
PSI, based in Missoula, Montana, is at the forefront of separations and purification technology of primary metal recovery and impurity removal from contaminated waters.
- BBB invites Bozeman, Montana Community to Take Part in Coast-to-Coast “Secure Your ID” Day, 9/20
“Shredding sensitive paper documents is an important first step, but it doesn’t end there,” said Jan Quintrall, President/CEO, BBB Serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho & Montana.
Careers
- The Rural Broadband Crisis - An Interview with Frank Odasz of Lone Eagle Consulting in Dillon, Montana
We don’t like change in our rural communities! But change is happening, with the rising oil costs, inflation, and recession. We can’t keep everything the same, but I think that we can use broadband to keep the best things about rural life.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Some early retirees have second thoughts
"Sometimes I wish I had looked for a job rather than just retiring."
- How to Create Your Own Personal Mission Statement
2008 is here and it is time to take a personal inventory to make this year your most productive year ever.
Funding and Building your Business
- Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association Assembles Inaugural Fall Forum in Sun Valley, Idaho to Showcase the Region's Premier Start-Ups
Venture Capital in the Rockies (VCIR) Fall conference will provide a venue for hundreds of venture investors, CEO's, entrepreneurs and service professionals to network and learn first hand about the venture funding and entrepreneurial opportunities that are flourishing throughout the region.
- Venture capitalists today look far and wide for start-ups - Trevor Loy and Flywheel Ventures
A new breed of U.S. entrepreneurs — not weaned on short-term IPOs and lucrative stock options — hope to grow their start-ups into larger corporations in the tradition of Dell and Microsoft, says Mark Heesen,president of the National Venture Capital Association.
Incubators and R&D
- Event Notification Compete Smart 2008 Oct. 2-3 in Missoula
Carey Hester, Director of the Montana US Export Assistance Center (US Commercial Service), will teach a session on exporting. The conference has other great content that you don't want to miss, including breakout sessions that offer tools to grow both the bottom line and top line sides of your business
- SBA encourages expansion, raises ceiling for loans
What else are companies doing?
- After a Downsizing, How to Motivate?
Managers can become so consumed by the prospect of firing people that they fail to adequately reassure and remotivate the employees who remain.
- How “Flyover Country” Entrepreneurs Can Attract Venture Capital
Many entrepreneurs lack “situational awareness.” In other words, they don’t understand how the VC game is played and the fact that they’re competing on a national or international level. They don’t know whom they’re competing against and don’t know their own strengths and weaknesses in the eyes of venture capitalists.
- Applicants sought for venture capital conference
Organizers of the annual Silver & Gold Venture Capital Conference are seeking applications from entrepreneurs wishing to present business plans before investors at the Oct. 21 event at the Peppermill hotel-casino in Reno.
Montana Education Excellence
- University of Washington buys multimillion-dollar tool for nanotech research
"This is a key piece that will allow Pacific Northwest researchers to compete in nanoscience in the international arena."
Idaho Business
- Montana Student SAT Scores Continue to Beat National Average
"Montana students rank #1 when compared to other states with an equal or higher number of test-takers," said Superintendent Linda McCulloch.
- Watching Education’s Bottom Line in Montana
“Montana’s public schools deal with the same economical issues facing businesses and families, McCulloch said.
- Spots still available for Master’s degree in education learning development program that starts in Havre on Friday 8/29/08
The program teaches courses lasting three weekends a semester, with the classes taught Friday evenings and Saturdays, allowing professionals to continue their jobs while continuing their educations.
Utah Business
- Nuclear-industry manufacturer, Premier Technology joins forces with Idaho energy partnership to promote technology-based work-force and economic development.
Premier President Douglas Sayer said the agreement “helps address the shortage of college students entering the field of energy research such as nuclear.”
- Idaho rolls out a new strategy
And we are working on a regional technology transfer protocol. Its goal is encouraging innovative new companies to take root and create jobs from the research being conducted at our universities and the Idaho National Laboratory.
- Idaho Stimson site worth $13.25M
Chesrown, who entered into an agreement to purchase the site from Stimson Lumber in 2006, agreed to sell the property for $10,000,000 to an educational institution or government agency for the purpose of expanding higher education in North Idaho.
- Powerful winds - Idaho has the wind, but lacks the will to harness it for electricity
Political winds not keeping pace with actual wind
- Idaho companies won't get biz equipment tax break
State businesses won't get a $17 million personal property tax break in 2009 because Idaho's general fund, in the just-concluded fiscal year, grew less than the 5 percent target needed for the relief to take effect.
- Gov. Otter outlines $60 billion goal for Idaho
Otter said Project 60's goals include completing public infrastructure projects, recruiting people with the special skills businesses will need to expand, and increasing Idaho exports from a record $4.7 billion in 2007.
Wyoming Business
- Microsoft invests in Utah firm, Move Networks that streams TV online
"Our close relationship with Microsoft demonstrates their confidence in our ability to unlock the tremendous potential of Internet television for audiences, media owners, advertisers and service providers," said John Edwards, CEO of Move Networks
- Fast-growing Utah firms make Inc. list
The Utah companies are weighted heavily toward technology, either through sales or services.
Education
- Wyoming expects demand for physician recruitment grants
The Legislature allocated $400,000 for the new program and specified that the Department of Health not use the money for anything except for physician recruitment and to include the sum in the next budget.
Other Economies
- Utah's education digital highway to grow
The Utah Education Network provides the computer network for facilities serving 500,000 students, as well as video conferencing and classroom support services. It also operates television station KUEN for the Utah State Board of Regents.
Connectivity & Communications
- Silicon Valley's working class walks tightrope
"This report does an excellent job documenting what people outside the region have been slow to understand - that Silicon Valley is a fairly brutal environment."
- Entrepreneurship - Dynamite Comes in Small Packages - The Future Face of Enterprise
Our aim is to widen and deepen the enterprise culture in our country so that every woman and every man – regardless of background or circumstance – has the chance to go as far as their talents and potential will take them, so that enterprise is truly open to all. Gordon Brown, 20021
- The demographic time-bomb
The issues are well-known, but the numbers provide a sobering reminder of the challenges ahead.
Energy
- Carnegie Mellon University researchers offer new way to avoid bogus Web sites
Intercepting Internet traffic, and spying on the communication between two computers, is a gold mine for hackers.
- Green Meter Quantifies Web Conference Savings
"I think that in these times of tight budgets and increased sensitivity to the environment that Web conferencing, when done correctly, can really provide a strong benefit for state and local governments," (and businesses and non-profits!!)
Non-Profit News
- Consumers picked to test hydrogen car prototypes
Automakers such as GM, Honda Motor Co. and BMW AG are putting several hundred vehicles into suburban garages, in cities and on the highway to see how they fare in day-to-day driving.
- Whether brown or red, algae can produce plenty of green fuel
Having studied the physiology of algae for more than 30 years, Rose Ann Cattolico is convinced the plant life found in oceans and ponds can be a major source of environmentally friendly fuels for everything from cars and lawn mowers to jet airplanes.
- Will lasers brighten nuclear’s future?
The US Department of Energy appears bullish on SILEX’s potential to lower the amount of uranium fuel US nuclear power reactors purchase from overseas firms. “Any increase in domestic enrichment capacity will increase US energy self-reliance,” the DOE said in its statement.
Transportation
- Call for 501 Tech Club Presenters in Missoula
We're looking for volunteer workshop presenters to cover technical issues of interest to the Missoula non-profit community.
- Plan cuts insurance rates for driving less
The idea is to provide an incentive to drive less - saving fuel and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In doing so, drivers also would lower their insurance premiums.
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