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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Jun 1, 2012 |
“We can invest early (in childhood education) to close disparities and prevent achievement gaps, or we can remediate disparities when they are harder and more expensive to close. Investing early allows us to shape the future; investing later chains us to fixing the missed opportunities of the past.” James Heckman, economist and Nobel laureate, “The Economics of Inequality,” American Educator, Spring 2011 http://www.aft.org/pdf ... n.pdf
Vision Net Technology Roadshow, 6/5, Great Falls http://matr.net/events ... =4144 --- Last Best Office Space Available - in Missoula, Montana http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Department of Commerce
Montana Goes to Mount Everest
- Montana Department of Commerce Announces Economic Development Grant Awards
"Planning grants are essential economic development tools that allow community leaders to invest smartly in the future of their citizens," said Dore Schwinden, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce.
- Montana Department of Commerce, Community Development Block Grant - Economic Development Program Awards $400,000 in Funding to the Town of Stevensville/ Selway Corporation/Bitterroot Tool & Machine
"This project is literally laying the ground work for future business expansion in Stevensville," said Dore Schwinden, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce.
- Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund awards grants to develop bio-mass plant, Pizazz cooking school in Great Falls, Montana
The Big Sky Trust Fund receives funding from interest on the state's coal trust fund. The goal of the program is to promote good-paying jobs and long-term, stable economic growth in Montana.
Inteneo Systems
- Mount Everest beautiful and dangerous, Montana State University professors tells students
Famed Bozeman mountain climber Conrad Anker, 49, who led the group, reached the summit Saturday for the third time in his life, his first time without using oxygen.
- What Everest Teaches About Disease
By studying the climbers, six of whom reached the summit, the researchers hope to gain insight into heart failure, lung disease and sleep apnea--all conditions related to a low-oxygen, or hypoxic, state.
Northwestern Energy
- Top 5 Trends in Business Intelligence
The interest in BI is no surprise. After all, it is a way for organizations to use real, raw data generated from within the company and externally by customers, suppliers, and partners to make better business decisions. Most recently, CIOs have focused on BI as a way to help weather -- and thrive in -- the economic downturn.
- Campaigns Dig Through Online Data To Target Voters
The 2012 election could be decided by which campaign is best at exploiting voters' Internet data.
Visit Montana - Montana Dept. of Tourism
- Clean Tech Investor Event, 6/22, Billings, Montana
NorthWestern Energy and TechRanch are pleased to present the next Montana Ener-Tech Alliance Speaker Series in Billings. Both speakers have strong ties to Montana and also invest in the energy sector.
Big Sky Commerce
- Digital Magazine Aimed at Tech-Savvy Travelers Keeps Montana Ahead of the Curve
On the heels of winning several national awards for innovative campaigns to attract more travelers to our state, the Montana Office of Tourism is staying ahead of the marketing curve with the introduction of an interactive iPad magazine.
- A Montana Events Sampler
MAKE THIS THE SUMMER YOU...
Highway 12 Ventures
- Big Sky Commerce, Inc.
We asked around for a better solution, and Big Sky Commerce came highly recommended.
Come Home Montana
- Alliance Health Networks Names Chief Data Scientist
The company operates a network of disease-and-condition specific websites which help provide health information and networking to patients.
Montana Business
- Montana Career Opportunity - General Manager - TeleSphere
TeleSphere, a Missoula, Montana based software development company, is seeking a General Manager to provide decisive leadership for new company growth.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Grant Writer - Missoula Downtown Foundation
nder the direction of the Missoula Downtown Foundation Board of Directors, this position will be accountable for researching, defining and developing funding sources to support the Missoula Downtown Foundation.
Montana Economic Development
- Last Best Office Space Available - in Missoula, Montana
With a WalkScore http://walkscore.com of 98/100, and a patio in Missoula's hub for community events, the location simply can't be beaten.
- Evergreen IP - We're the Bridge Between Inventors and Large Consumer Companies
If you are an inventor with a patented consumer invention and want commercialization help, consider whether EIP wouldn't make more sense than going it alone.
- Reinventing the Plane - Kickstarter fundraising efforts helping Synergy aircraft take off in Kalispell, Montana
McGinnis and a team of designers in Kalispell are in the early stages of developing a full-sized aircraft that could seat up to five people, travel safer and faster than average small airplanes and with 10 times more fuel efficiency.
- Marketo Partner Certification Awarded to Elixiter, Inc.
Marketo's Certification Program recognizes partners for achieving required marketing automation and sales effectiveness competencies, and for providing a scalable learning environment in which to teach and assess these proficiencies.
- Senator Baucus Announces $1.5 Million Sale from Billings,Montana Manufacturer Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company to South Korean Company
"MRL is the perfect example of the top-quality manufacturing facilities Montana has to offer all across the state, and today's sale will help them to continue growing and supporting Montana jobs," Baucus said. "MRL is the best in the U.S. at what they do, and today we're going to let the whole world know, and attract even more business to support Montana jobs."
- Senator Baucus Announces $530,000 purchase of Black Hawk equipment from Spika Welding by Australian Military
"These deals send a strong message that Montana is the place to go for the best quality goods," Baucus said.
MSU Leadership Institute & UM Global Leadership Initiative
- Senator Baucus starts dignitary tour at Bozeman business
Simms Fishing Products is the kind of company Baucus wants to promote to foreign dignitaries on his upcoming Ambassadors' Tour as an example of the quality and workmanship they can find in Montana.
- Governor Schweitzer promotes Montana as prime filming locale
"It can't be more authentic than actually filming it in Montana. Nothing looks like the Montana rivers."
Careers
- Why good leaders create leaders, not followers
"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." Peter Drucker
Business Plan Forums
- The Surprising Global Shortage of Skilled Workers
The largest share, or 33 percent, said they simply couldn't find the workers they need.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Rooftop Farming Startup UrbanHarvest Wins UW Student Competition
UrbanHarvest won the $25,000 first prize at last night's UW Foster Business Plan Competition, an annual showcase for the best new ideas from business students in Washington state.
- Top 25 in Business Plan Contest offer ideas that reflect Wisconsin roots
Since the first statewide contest in 2004, some 2,100 people from 235 different communities in Wisconsin have entered the competition in one of four categories: Advanced manufacturing, business services, information technology and life sciences. About three-quarters of past finalists are still in business, according to a 2012 survey, and nearly six in 10 finalists have raised angel or venture capital to help grow their companies.
- Safety Light Startup Illumagear Wins Seattle Angel Conference
"I can't build a bridge. I can't design a new excavator," Baker says. "So I thought, well, what could I build with a hard hat?"
Incubators and R&D
- Finding a Brain Gain in Rural Communities
Ben Winchester looks at rural America and sees a "brain gain."
Other Economies
- Students invent Spider-Man suit for military
"We had no problem: it sucked just fine. Probably bad way to say it, but..."
- University of Utah startup could go big with tiny dots
"They were studying something very basic," said her husband, Nikko Ronquillo, "and she stumbled upon a process to make quantum dots in better fashion than anybody else can."
Regional Business
- Governor Signs Legislation to Make State More Competitive for High-Tech Jobs
The bills expand a data center sales tax exemption, encourage investment in technology startups and extend the state's telework tax credit.
Regional Economic Development
- Self-employed boost small town economy
"We often look at self-employment as a stopgap measure, something done out of desperation," says agricultural economist Stephan Goetz. "But, in fact, self-employment has a tangible effect in raising income growth and lowering poverty."
- Cutting Census Funding Will Hurt Small Business
The ACS is a crucial tool: Academics, businesses, and lawmakers use it to figure out what's happening within our population, interpreting societal shifts, focusing resources, and forging policy. Any reduction is bad, particularly for small business, which often can't afford to pay for data from private services.
University of Montana & Montana State University Tech Transfer
- $26 Million Multi-Agency Competition Launched to Strengthen Advanced Manufacturing Clusters Across the Nation
Fourteen Federal Agencies Collaborate to Enhance Global Competitiveness of U.S. Manufacturers and Create Jobs
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Boot Camp Helps Scientists Pitch Their Research Outside the Lab - ICorps
The aim of the program is to teach these scientists and engineers how to turn their knowledge into technology that could build companies and ultimately create jobs.
Education
- Six technologies that soon could be in your classrooms
According to the report, even the most future-proofed classrooms ain't seen nothin' yet.
- Sal Khan's 'Academy' sparks a tech revolution in education
His simply narrated, faceless home videos on everything from algebra to French history have been viewed half a billion times. Last year, a number of schools began "flipping" their classrooms, having students study Khan videos by night and do homework with teachers by day.
- "Moving From At Risk to At Promise: Transforming Policies, Practices and Communities to Support Young Children and Their Families."
"I think we should think about children placed at risk. We are trying to change that to children placed at promise. What will it really take?"
- How would you explain what a flame is to an 11 year old?
On March 2, Alan Alda asked scientists to answer the question - "What is a flame?" - in a way that an 11-year-old would find intelligible and maybe even fun.
- Missoula officials sign on to initiative to prevent child abuse nationwide
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids is a nationwide organization comprising law enforcement, prosecutors and survivors of violence.
Montana Education Excellence
- Texas Business School Teaching Door-to-Door Sales
Every year following winter break, Acton's class of about 25 students breaks into small teams for the Acton Sales Challenge--a three-day competition in which students go door to door to see which team can sell the most children's dictionaries.
Bill Payne
- June 15 is deadline for applicants for several MSU Native American scholarships
Walter Fleming, director of the MSU Department of Native American Studies, said that three of the scholarships are for entering freshman and one is available to entering Indian students in the Native American Studies masters program.
- Never finished that BA? Montana State University starting online degree
MSU is now signing up students who want to complete their undergraduate degrees by taking classes over the Internet. Registration for fall semester is open until July 16.
Community
- Why I Don't Invest in Startups Using Private Placement Memorandums (PPM)
I am yet to read a PPM written for a startup company that meets the parameters we angels generally establish for funding new ventures.
Funding and Building your BusinessEnergy and Climate Change
- 10 Insanely Clickable Banner Ads
The 10 examples below show that banners need not be boring
- More Firms Opt to Recruit From Within
Here's a recruiting riddle: What costs more but often works worse? Outside hires.
- 10 Things I Look for When Reading a Business Plan
#6. Never write that you have no competition.
- The Secret to a Perfect Facebook Post
The report contains a number of good takeaways, including its findings on post length.
- 3 Deadly QR Code Miscues and How to Fix Them
Unless local businesses use them properly, QR codes are wasting your time.
- Google Translate now allows website owners and visitors to edit translations
Google has introduced an interesting "experimental" plug-in that allows website owners, and even visitors, to customise and improve the translated text from the Google Translate website plug-in.
- Following the value proposition to entrepreneurial success
Once the entrepreneur identifies the new business opportunity, the next step is to identify the specific offerings that provide enough value to customers to get their attention and motivate them to purchase from the new business.
- Innovation Initiative Events for Entrepreneurs and Innovators in Missoula
We're scheduling area experts for a variety of formats including open hours, topical round tables, brown bag lunches, expert on site consultations and seminars.
- Presenting Slate readers' 10 best nuggets of entrepreneurship advice.
The list is designed not to encourage you to chase your wildest dreams but to help you turn your more viable dreams into a real livelihood.
- What Does a Startup Have To Do To Get Noticed?
You need to build the highest platform you can, to stand out and be heard above all the rest.
- Building a Better Tool to Measure a Company's Social Value
What gets measured gets done.
- Ditch Your Office Chair for a New 'Standing Desk'
We burn fewer calories when we're sitting. The second part is more subtle but perhaps more profound: marathon sitting sessions change our body's metabolism.
- Some entrepreneurs change the world, and make money doing it
Increasingly, entrepreneurs and small-business owners want a more direct, positive effect on our planet and its people. They want to use their entrepreneurial skills and attitudes to tackle some of the globe's most pressing issues.
Connectivity & Communications
- Scientists: Carbon dixode at highest level in 800,000 years
The world's air has reached what scientists call a troubling new milestone for carbon dioxide, the main global warming pollutant.
Government Technology
- Tech Giants to Warn of Global Threats to Internet
In a congressional hearing Thursday, they will warn lawmakers of a growing movement led by China, Russia and some Arab states to hand more control of the Web to the United Nations and place rules on the Internet that the U.S. companies say would empower governments to clamp down on civil rights and free speech.
- The Beginner's Guide to Instagram
How do you use the app?
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Does Your Agency Need Data Scientists?
To tackle Big Data, government agencies must build out a road map by doing the following:
- Tech Trends Public Agencies Should Watch in 2012
The combination of mobile technology and the ability to work with data sets on devices is driving developments in visualization for governments.
- Body armor for women: Pentagon is pushed to find something that fits
"It's not designed for a woman, so it's uncomfortable and it fits improperly."
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Facebook Actually Dissed GM: Where's the Media Coverage?
Facebook has shown remarkable restraint in what it will sell marketers over the years ... It has always put the user experience first, and that's helped drive the social network to 901 million global users. But that has also meant turning down advertisers.
Transportation
- Tiny chip inserted in the sole of a shoe can charge the wearer's cell phone
A Kenyan entrepreneur has developed a tiny chip of thin crystals, insertable in the sole of any shoe, which can gather and store energy as the wearer walks.
- Pill Could Reverse Effects of a Stroke Long After It Hits
A small pharmaceutical company in New York hopes to change that with a drug that may help patients regain some of their lost mobility six months or more after a stroke.
- Mary Meeker's eye-popping annual Internet Trends report hits the web
Re-Imagination of just about everything.
- In Rat Experiment, New Hope for Spine Injuries
"This effectively affirms in animal models how active state -- the person is trying to move -- paired with the spinal cord implant confer plasticity in spared neural connections."
- Project Seeks to Build World-Class Cycling Networks Across America
You can glimpse the future right now in forward-looking American cities--a few blocks here, a mile there where people riding bicycles are protected from rushing cars and trucks.
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