|
|
|
| MATR Newsletter - Fri Apr 16, 2010 |
"To the west, and as far as the eye can see, tall grass billows in the wind. Two centuries ago, Lewis and Clark were the first European-Americans to discover this land. This is prairie. It once blanketed much of the heartland of North America. Today on America's Great Plains, few reminders of this pristine landscape survive. Now, things are changing. Through establishing and maintaining a wildlife reserve on Montana's prairies, several organizations work to restore an American Eden. Join us on this exciting journey as we capture the grand rebirth of The American Serengeti." American Serengeti to air on Earth Day, April 22nd http://matr.net/articl ... .html
Are you creative? Do you have questions? Do you like to collaborate? - Missoula BarCamp 2010, 5/1, University Of Montana, Missoula http://matr.net/articl ... .html
The Burton K. Wheeler Center
Idaho National Laboratory
- Wheeler Conference Video on - "The 'Next' Economy: A Public Discussion On Jobs And Innovation" including keynoters Craig Barrett (Intel Corp) Available on TVMT
The Wheeler Center conference proceedings will be telecast again on Thursday, April 15 and Sunday, April 18, beginning at 9 AM both days on TVMT - Television Montana.
TechRanch
- Idaho National Laboratory, local schools celebrate National Robotics Week with open house
"Robotics at INL is not just about engineering. We develop new technology, implement it and help people manage their great ideas. It's really where the rubber meets the road."
Destiny University School of Medicine
- Passion for Your Venture, Is this a good thing?
Successful entrepreneurs are often quoted as saying that they would have not succeeded had they not had extreme passion for the venture. But it's easy to just look at the positive side of this.
Highway 12 Ventures
- Medical Schools Can't Keep Up As Ranks of Insured Expand, Nation Faces Shortage of 150,000 Doctors in 15 Years
Experts warn there won't be enough doctors to treat the millions of people newly insured under the law. At current graduation and training rates, the nation could face a shortage of as many as 150,000 doctors in the next 15 years, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Canada Business & Economic Development
- Our Investment In Missoula, Montana Based Goomzee & A Lesson For First-Time Entrepreneurs
Turning back to our investment in Goomzee, this also represents our first investment in a Montana-based company and believe that their success will continue to validate our thesis that the Rocky Mountain region is emerging as the best place to start a business in the country. We look forward to working with Mike and his team as he builds a world class company.
- In Defense Of Venture Capitalists
I wish I had a dollar for every new VC who came into the business preaching about how he didn’t like the behavior of his fellow VCs and that he was going to be “different.”
- A Hot Week For Boise Entrepreneurs!
All-in-all, a very exciting week next week for Idaho entrepreneurs. I hope you’ll share this with your networks. My partners and I will be at all three of these events, hope to see many of you there!
Come Home Montana
- Canada's venture capital sector is in crisis, high-tech guru says
Ugly would be an apt word to describe the current state of Canada's venture capital (VC) sector. By any measure, activity levels are abysmal.
- First Come, First Served for Water in Alberta, Canada
Under Alberta's present water allocation system, new and rapidly growing communities are unable to purchase new water licenses, as priority goes to historical users, not those with the greatest need. A persistent drought may force a change.
Come Home Oregon
- Montana Career Opportunity - Executive Director - Outdoor Writers Association of America
A Missoula-based national nonprofit writers association seeks experienced Executive Director to manage & direct the day-to-day affairs of a professional organization & to implement established policies.
- Montana Means Business
When you consider all the exciting things we offer, from financial incentives to a peaceful way of life, you’ll realize Montana is an excellent location for your business and your family. Governor Schweitzer’s Economic Development Office is ready to put your business on the map, here, where Montana means business.
- Montana Career Opportunity - President - University of Montana
The application deadline is May 19.
- 60 apply for Bozeman, Montana planning director so far
About 60 people from New York to Washington state have applied to be Bozeman's new planning director.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Oregon Career Opportunity - Executive Director for the Business District Association in Portland, OR
he APNBA was created in 1985 as an alliance of the 35+ business district associations (BDAs) in Portland, Oregon. BDA members are the merchants, property owners, and employees in the commercial districts. BDAs support and promote their commercial area.
Leadership Montana
- MassChallenge Launches $1 Million Global Business Competition to Fuel State’s Innovation Economy
MassChallenge http://www.masschallenge.org/ , a Boston-area nonprofit focused on encouraging innovation, is “convinced that entrepreneurship is the answer” for everything to unemployment to the housing crisis to pollution, in the words of CEO and co-founder John Harthorne.
Montana Business
- Documents and Issues at leadershipmontana.org
The hard work all of you (ok, most of you) have put in on these projects may have some value well beyond the final presentation at Leadership Montana.
Montana Economic Development
- Montana Based Brokerage Firm, DA Davidson Fined $375,000 for Unsecured Data
DA Davidson contacted the Secret Service, and the subsequent investigation led to four suspects, three of whom are Latvian nationals, who were extradited from the Netherlands to face charges in Montana. Read More http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/04/brokerage-firm-fined#ixzz0l5UpXwF8
- Missoula's DirecTV facility charged with union busting
"I think it's kind of disturbing," Smith says, "that taxpayers are fronting the bill for this call center to produce jobs...and the call center, or the people who are running it, are directly violating the law to keep their costs down. If I still worked there, I would be upset about that."
- Government becomes biggest employer in Montana, but what does it mean?
Federal, state, and local government moved into first place over trade, transportation and utilities between December 2009 and the first months of this year.
Regional Economic Development
- New Program Boosts Small Businesses in Montana
"I was in dire need of marketing training, and this program was essential in helping me afford to participate in professional trainings and get the skills I need. I've used the newly acquired marketing skills to open up new markets for some of our products. For example, the expansion of "Montana Crunch" markets is directly connected to a training called Eureka!
- Good news blowing in on Montana's robust winds
Invenergy's announcement contained a couple of other nuggets of significance to the area.
Business Plan Forums
- "Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future" and "Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Two Years Later"
An Agenda for American Science and Technology, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine
- Past Silos and Smokestacks: A Rural Development Proposal
Partnering regionally to compete globally is what’s needed. This pathway will lead to scores of multicounty, self-defined regions across the Midwest. Only by combining their forces to create new businesses and good jobs at home will the towns and counties of the rural Midwest compete and thrive in a global economy where this sort of collaboration is fast becoming the norm.
Funding and Building your Business
- NWEN “First Look” Forum Tells Story of Software Vs. Medical Startups: Online Travel Is the Winner
The “first look” aspect means none had presented previously to investors or venture capital groups.
Montana Education Excellence
- Twenty Principles That Comprise The Foundation For Sales Success
Bye-the-way, the gift of gab is not one of them.
- The perils and profits of taking on a partner
To summarize: It’s like a marriage with someone you hardly know, and when it goes bad, it goes really, really bad.
- Four Things Some VCs Do That I Don’t Like
1. They are fake casual
- Why Entrepreneurs Don't Need VCs
It's the year 2010. I'm an entrepreneur and want to launch my next game-changing, multi-platform, mobile, social, online service. Here's my quick checklist of things to do and some of the costs associated with them:
- Bootstrapping or VC? One Company’s Path - Bootstrap Montana
I was recently headed down the fund-raising road with one of my technology startup clients, when something strange happened.
- Before jumping into a new venture, do a feasibility study
Before you spend a great deal of time and money launching your business, even before you develop a complete business plan, you may want to do a quicker feasibility analysis.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Montana State Superintendent Juneau aims to reduce dropout rates by implementing Missoula's "Graduation Matters" campaign state-wide
Denise Juneau thinks the "Graduation Matters Missoula Initiative" can make a difference. The program's goal is to get every student to graduate and get the community involved in education.
- Financial aid just got better Ten steps to financial aid
"There are several things that have changed in the students' favor."
- Students from around the world converge on the University of Montana for research conference
The undergraduate research conference continues through Saturday. All the presentations are free and the public is encouraged to attend. To find a schedule of presentations, go to the UM Web site http://umt.edu/future.aspx .
- MSU Peaks & Potentials youth camp open for registration
Peaks and Potentials is designed to give high-ability/high-potential students who will be entering grades 5-7 in the fall the opportunity to explore special topics of interest and work with experts in various subject areas.
Regional Business
- Montana schools awarded PPL Montana Project Earth education grants
The schools will receive a combined total of more than $10,300 to support earth science education as part of PPL Montana’s Project Earth Environmental Education Grants program.
- University of Montana unpaid internships on the rise; legality scrutinized
Although unpaid internships are legal, employers do have to follow some rules before they can hire students to work for free.
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- Federal assistance for Montana companies
We are a US Department of Commerce program designed to assisting US companies that are impacted by foreign imports. We offer up to $75,000 in matching federal grants for Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington companies that qualify for our program.
University Business Plan Competitions
- SBA Raises SBIR Award Threshold
The SBIR Program award threshold has been increaseed to $150,000 for Phase I, up from $100,000, and $1 million for Phase II, up from $750,000.
Idaho Business
- 21st Annual John Ruffatto Business Plan Competition, 5/13, Missoula, Montana
The mission of the Montana Business Plan Competition is threefold: to provide a positive educational experience in which students receive feedback and advice from experienced business professionals, to foster economic growth through the creation of new businesses in Montana, and to provide a forum for students to interact with the community.
- Are We Actually Creating Startups Through Business Plan Competitions?
If a school really wanted to create some buzz, what about launching an initiative that actually helped students become better entrepreneurs, rather than just write good business plans?
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- To VC, or Not to VC - Cleantech startups on venture capital in Idaho
"We're a startup and I know how it is. You have to be hungry," he said. "I'm from Boise, so I plan on staying here."
- Idaho businesses are local and small, but global and profitable
While Micron and HP often are touted as local companies with a global reach, the Treasure Valley is home to dozens of smaller companies whose products or services can be found around the world.
- Idaho small businesses outline plight for Governor Otter
About 20 small-business people met at Otter's small business summit at Boise State University as part of the governor's Project 60 initiative to increase Idaho's gross domestic product to $60 billion. Some highlights:
- State seeks proposals for Idaho rural economic development funds
“These rural economic development professionals are at the center of Idaho’s campaign to bring economic expansion to every part of our state,” Idaho Commerce Director Don Dietrich said. “The financial resources provided by this initiative help ensure that every Idaho resident benefits from our economic strength.”
- Northshore Industries - Businessman meets challenge of selling surfing products in Boise, Idaho
Although Smith felt he should keep the business in a coastal area like San Francisco, where his product is in higher demand year round, he realized early on that there was nowhere better for a small business than right here in Boise.
- Is Boise's creative economy losing steam?
Experts say a brain drain of 30- to 45-year-olds is hurting the Valley's future leadership and economic potential.
Washington State Business
- The Bank of North Dakota: Banking's 'public option' - $350 million in profits to North Dakota’s general fund since 1997.
Bills intended to create similar state-run banks or study the idea are being discussed in Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington State.
- University of North Dakota Venture Group students get experience while promoting local businesses.
The Dakota Venture Group http://www.dakotaventuregroup.com/ is a venture capital investment fund that is one hundred percent student run. In fact, it is the first and only completely student run venture capital fund in the United States.
Education
- PerkinElmer will buy Spokane genetic test company, Signature Genomic Laboratories
Signature Genomic, founded in 2003 and one of the fastest-growing companies in Spokane, develops test systems that can identify chromosomal abnormalities. It was founded by Lisa Shaffer and Dr. Bassem Bejjani.
Making the Most of the American Prairie
- Globalization in Higher Education - How Global Universities Are Reshaping the World
Today, China is "Exhibit A" in the emergence of a new and increasingly freewheeling global university marketplace.
- Building a Learning Agenda Around Disconnected Youth
Reengaging High School Dropouts: Early Results of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program Evaluation
- Mattel launching computer engineer Barbie
"Little girls don't hear the word ‘engineer,' never mind think of it as a career option."
- Colorado high schoolers going forth with a state-paid fifth year
Colorado's "fifth-year" program allows seniors to elect to have high schools withhold their diplomas for a year so they can go to college on the state's dime.
- Flynn's Harp: Craves on College Success Foundation's first decade
A decade on from its launch as a unique program designed to bring a college education within the reach of kids from the poorest neighborhoods, first in Washington State then in the "Other Washington," College Success Foundation is ready to see its model transformed into a national effort.
- Video: The Future of Education in Utah
Mark Bouchard, chair of the Salt Lake Chamber Education Committee and Senior Managing Director of CB Richard Ellis shared his thoughts on the future of education in Utah during a forum held by the Chamber and the Association of American Colleges & Universities.
- Third-Grader Hacks Schools Computer System
"He's a very intelligent 9-year-old."
Montana Meth Project
- The American Prairie Classic, 5/1-2, Malta, Montana
If the American Prairie Classic was a pro race I'd call it the Criterium International. A spring race with a time a trial and road race. Like the Criterium International the weather could be anything in Central Montana. Expect the un-expected.
Other Economies
- Montana Fights Meth with "Paint the State"
The state of Montana is again launching a program to help address methamphetamine use in the state. The program, named Paint the State, in the past has been one of the most successful programs in state history.
Energy and Climate Change
- Governor Schwarzenegger Establishes California Office of Economic Development
“The development and growth of businesses is more important now than ever due to the economic hardships so many communities face. Improving California’s business climate will attract new businesses and allow greater prosperity for businesses that are already here.”
Legislative Newsletters
- How to Solve America's Water Crisis
Go to your tap and turn it on. Most likely, the second you turn the faucet handle, water gushes out. That alone might make you think there's not a water crisis happening right now in America. Or at least that if there is, it's not that bad. But you'd be wrong.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Montana Senator Jon Tester - Report from the Road
Everywhere I went, folks wanted to know more about health reform and what it will do for them. I'm proud of the law because it's right for Montanans. It saves money. It brings down the rising cost of health care. And it strengthens Medicare. Here's a recap of another busy couple of weeks on the road in Montana:
- Discount Offered for Montana Guitar Workshop With Pat Metheny, Larry Carlton, Alex De Grassi and Scott Tennant
A unique opporutnity to learn from and play and spend time with with Pat Metheny, Larry Carlton, Alex De Grassi, Scott Tennant, Jody Fisher, Matt Smith, Mark Dziuba, Andrew Leonard and Doug Smith August 29 - September 5, 2010 at the 4 star Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, Montana.
- CraftNet Sketches - March 2010 Volume 6 Number 1
Flathead Valley Community College Helps Put Northwest Montana Artists on the MAP. CraftNet is an international network of community colleges devising innovative ways through partnerships to develop artisan-based strengths into a sustainable growth sector for each of their service areas.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the free weekly MATR newsletter, please visit our list info page
