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| MATR Newsletter - Tue May 20, 2008 |
Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.—Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Inauguration Day, 1933
If you're going to be in Kalispell on the evening of May 22, please be sure to attend this event. You'll be inspired in ways you can't imagine. " Pennies For Pencils: Climber Who Helped Build Schools In Pakistan, Afghanistan Visits Flathead, 5/22, Kalispell, MT" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- There are a number of stories this week that focus on the economic success that can emanate from University R&D and Tech Transfer. We have a great opportunity through our University System if we encourage and nurture the potential of innovation and commercialization. "Eds, Meds and Urban Revival - In many cities, a big university is becoming the economic engine that a big corporation used to be." http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Advice from the Top: University research helps USA compete" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Moo Shu U? - (Translation - this is a story about federal "earmarks" and R&D at Montana State University)" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Guests at biomed summit give leaders of the University of Washington Tech Transfer Office a tongue-lashing"http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html ---"A bold plan to turn the University of Washington into a Stanford died a quiet death" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html and some great words of wisdom from Bill Payne for all of you Angels and Entrepreneurs out there. "Angels: Don’t Use Convertible Debt to Fund Startup Ventures " http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Boomtown Institute
City Club Missoula
- The Agurban from Boomtown Institute - What it Takes to be a Successful Entrepreneur
Marc Kramer, a faculty member at the Wharton School of Business, recently posted his list of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
MSU Leadership Institute
- Planning director seeks feedback on growth plans at City Club Missoula
OPG wants to know what people like and don't like about each one so the process can evolve into a single proposal that will become part of an overarching Missoula growth policy.
Come Home Montana
- Montana State University Psychological Science/Spanish Major, C. Ivie English Wins the Third Annual Daniel E. Czech Excellence-in-Leadership Award From 2006 Business Graduate
“We cannot possibly account for every potential error… and recognizing this principle while remaining prepared to respond in extraordinarily impromptu manners, has given me my greatest sense of achievement.”
Montana Business
- Montana Career Opportunity - Director of Loan Services - Bear Paw Development Corporation of Northern Montana
The Director of Loan Services is responsible for management of loan programs, supervision of the loan portfolio, preparation of loan summaries.
Montana Economic Development
- Lock step: Montana Prisoners provide labor for custom boot manufacturer - Wayne Bowman's Wilson Boots of Livingston, Montana
"The biggest advantage is I don't have to worry about them not showing up for work, most of the time."
Regional Economic Development
- Montana Governor Schweitzer to Present Nearly $1.4 Million in Workforce Training Funds to GE in Billings
“Montana is on the move,” said Governor Schweitzer. “This project will create hundreds of good paying jobs with benefits for Montana families. It’s exactly the type of economic development Montana needs to keep our already strong economy on the right track and I am committed to supporting these types of projects in the future.”
- Manufacturing company eyes Butte, Montana
If Butte is chosen for the new business venture, 50 jobs will be offered initially at the TIFID District with the possibility of employing up to 100 people in the next five years.
Careers
- Eds, Meds and Urban Revival - In many cities, a big university is becoming the economic engine that a big corporation used to be.
"The bell towers of academic institutions have replaced smokestacks as the drivers of the American urban economy."
- The Next American Frontier
Half of all new college graduates now believe that self-employment is more secure than a full-time job.
Funding and Building your Business
- Send the right signals at work - "How to Sell Yourself Using Leadership, Likability, and Luck to Succeed", by Arch Lustberg
Successful communication is about instantly understanding what the speaker is saying. If any member of the audience has to decode what you've just said, they've missed the point and have become lost.
Incubators and R&D
- Angels: Don’t Use Convertible Debt to Fund Startup Ventures
I have seen entrepreneurs offer angel investors convertible debt deals for the past eight years or so (since the Bubble). But, convertible debt is recognized by experienced angels nationwide as a lousy security for most startup investments. Having now been investing in the inland Pacific Northwest with the Frontier Angel Group for the past two years, I am struck by the high fraction of entrepreneurs who offer convertible debt as an appropriate security for a startup investment by angels in their companies. Unfortunately, the proliferation of such offerings, based on inadequate knowledge of the downsides of convertible debt to both entrepreneurs and investors, is an impediment to closing good deals. I hope this paper tends to increases the likelihood of deal closings by the reasonable alternatives described therein.
- 'B corporation' plan helps philanthropic firms
"We are witnessing the birth of a new sector of the economy between the private sector and the nonprofit sector," Coen Gilbert said. "Our grandchildren will be talking about this new sector the way we talk about the nonprofit sector. ... Eventually it will be 5, 7, 10 percent of GDP."
- "How to Market, Advertise and Promote Your Business or Service In Your Own Backyard" by Tom Egelhoff
Specifically designed for small businesses with ten or fewer employees, this is the only in-depth guide that reveals the secrets of super-successful small-town marketing. If you want more bang for your buck, more customers in your store, and more dollars in your pocket, this is the place to start.
- Getting Down to the Business of Creativity
If creativity is integral to business, and to entrepreneurship in particular, how exactly does it occur?
- Companies give start-ups billions in venture capital
In the highest numbers since the dot-com-boom era of 2000 and 2001, corporate venture capital funds last year invested in 21% of 3,900 start-up deals and put up 8% of the total $31 billion in venture money that was poured into young firms.
- How much equity do my investors deserve?
The quick answer to your question is - there is no quick answer.
Montana Education Excellence
- Center for Zero Emissions Research and Technology at Montana State University
The Zero Emission Research and Technology Center (ZERT) is a research collaborative focused on understanding the basic science of underground (geologic) carbon dioxide storage to mitigate greenhouse gasses from fossil fuel use and to develop technologies that can ensure the safety and reliability of that storage.
- Advice from the Top: University research helps USA compete
Stanford owns the patent on Google's Internet search technology, and last year, the university earned $48 million from 428 technologies licensed to companies.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Moo Shu U? - (Translation - this is a story about federal "earmarks" and R&D at Montana State University)
Despite congressional turnover and reform, Montana State University has managed to hang onto its ranking as one of the top 20 universities in the nation winning federal dollars through earmarks.
- University of Montana Student Documentary “Beyond the Myths: Growing Up in Montana” Named Nation's Best
The 2007 program profiles the lives of six teenagers across the state as they negotiate their teen years, battling issues such as racism, motherhood and mental health.
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- Shortage of welders sparks new program at MSU-Tech. Scholarships available
To make this program more financially accessible and attract students to the growing profession of welding, MSU-Tech has established scholarships to assist students. Multiple awards are available and the deadline is June 2.
University Business Plan Competitions
- Venture Capital Wants Back Into Small Business Research Grants
“Simply because you got venture capital doesn’t mean you hit the jackpot,” says Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association, “and it doesn’t mean you are a big business that doesn’t need any kind of assistance.
University TechTransfer
- Washington State University students win $10,000 for business plan
The team's success in the contest, where about 90 student teams competed in various categories, was related to the group's unique strengths.
Idaho Business
- Guests at biomed summit give leaders of the University of Washington Tech Transfer Office a tongue-lashing
The University of Washington -- an institution they said did not sufficiently support interaction with industry.
Utah Economic Development
- Idaho Office of Science & Technology May 2008
For the second straight month, Areva leads Idaho innovation news, as the French energy company announced on May 5th that it had selected Idaho Falls as the site for a proposed $2 billion uranium enrichment facility.
- Idaho commerce director wants more foreign investment
"The biggest thing is to say bureaucrats are not welcome," Dietrich said. "If you've been sitting comfortably in your seat for the past 20 years, you had better strap on your seat belt. It's absolutely critical to treat this like a business."
Washington State Business
- 2 Utah based venture-capital firms put millions into funds
If selected to receive money from either of the funds, companies will also get management and marketing assistance for expansion.
- Oracle plans Utah facility for global information technology.
"Major corporations need a well-trained and highly-skilled work force, and the quality of Utah's work force and our increasing focus on work force development are crucial aspects for Oracle," Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said in a prepared statement.
Wyoming Business
- A bold plan to turn the University of Washington into a Stanford died a quiet death
What about public research universities? Might they be weaned from state support and control, and turned into independent non-profits? Given the suspicion of many legislators toward exalted research universities, is some form of devolution the only way the UWs can keep up with the Stanfords?
Education
- Idaho teachers find better pay in Wyoming
"I would love to teach in my hometown," he said, "but I just can't afford it."
Connectivity & Communications
- Many States Have Taken a "Backloaded" Approach to No Child Left Behind Goal of All Students Scoring "Proficient"
This report examines the interim objectives for student achievement established by states in their accountability plans for the No Child Left Behind Act.
Energy
- Firm eyes rural Net Wireless access - Open Range Communications Inc.
Internet technology is maturing, and after years of testing out Wi-Fi options for rural areas, the company settled on using WiMax, a more powerful version of Wi-Fi that allows for wireless transmission of signals across wider ranges.
- Ultrafast Internet nearly up to speed
Ultrabroadband upgrades will eliminate competition, because the expense of such a network means only a few markets will be able to support more than one carrier
- Study Released Showing Correlation Between Broadband Access and Economic, Health and Educational Benefits
"Our kids are going to live in an entirely different world than the one we have lived in. They are going to compete against kids in New Delhi, Shanghai, Madrid, Rio, you name it. If we don't give them the tools they are going to be left behind and the economic divide will be greater than it has ever been in history. If we want to stay competitive as a city, as a state, as a country, we have to start to make these investments now."
- Nine More Municipal Wi-Fi Networks Slated For Closing
But while the once-ballyhooed municipal Wi-Fi business has turned out to be a massive free-lunch boondoggle, the notion of high-speed, citywide wireless networks is moving forward -- with systems being built by private companies with little government involvement.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Face It. Nukes Are the Most Climate-Friendly Industrial-Scale Form of Energy
There's no question that nuclear power is the most climate-friendly industrial-scale energy source.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Is America.com a $12m name like Sex.com?
Specialists who monitor the buying and selling of Internet domain names say it could fetch one of the highest prices ever paid for a domain.
- New Study Shows Odds High for Big California Quakes - 99% in the next 30 years.
California has more than a 99% chance of having a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake within the next 30 years
- Eight Things Microsoft Can And Should Do To Be More 'Open'
Microsoft as of late has been championing what it says is the cause of openness.
Non-Profit News
- Artificial intelligence enters world of avatars
''It's a very inexpensive way to test out our technologies right now,''
- Pennies For Pencils: Climber Who Helped Build Schools In Pakistan, Afghanistan Visits Flathead, 5/22, Kalispell, MT
Greg Mortensen, author of "Three Cups of Tea," will be in the Flathead Valley this month with his story of building schools - and hope- in the war-torn homeland of the Taliban.
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