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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Sep 18, 2007 |
"Washington needs infusing from Montana more than Montana needs infusing from Washington." Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts Jr. speaking to a crowd of law students in Missoula, Mont.
Montana Entrepreneurs and those that dream of being in Montana, can earn a spot at the table at Rob Ryan's Entrepreneur-America Boot camp. Is your startup capable of becoming a large successful company? http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Boomtown Institute
Come Home Montana
- The Agurban from Boomtown Institute - Microfinance and Microenterprise
Entrepreneurship continues to be a key economic development tool. The success of your entrepreneurs will strengthen your community.
Entrepreneur- America
- Montana Career Opportunity - GIS and Application Developer - Washington Corporations
Applicant will be responsible for the design, development, delivery and support of GIS and web based applications.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Chief of Information Technology
Montana's largest public health agency seeks a Chief of Information Technology to oversee the overall design, planning, execution & maintenance of all information technology functions.
- Prominent University of Montana Alum, Don Oliver Produces Video Segment on Missoula's University District
"Many university communities across the nation have deteriorated and are in disrepair," Oliver said in the video. "But here in Missoula, strong leadership by caring owners has maintained the charm and integrity of the University District."
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Montana Entrepreneurs and those that dream of being in Montana, can earn a spot at the table at Rob Ryan's Entrepreneur-America Boot camp. Is your startup capable of becoming a large successful company?
Rob and Terry are going to conduct a new version of the Boot camp with up to 3 Montana based management teams presenting their companies and receiving individual analysis and guidance.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Study Examines Linkages Between Gender And New Venture Performance
Gender may be linked to new venture entrepreneurial outcomes, according to the authors of a new study released by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- Invention contest promoted by NASA. "Create the Future design contest"
We definitely have some creative individuals and companies in MT that might want to compete. This contest is to solicit innovations and inventions, with a $20,000 prize.
Funding and Building your Business
- The Californication of Magic Valley, Idaho. How Californians are changing the way you live
As word gets out, she said, more businesses are coming, especially from California, and their impact is largely positive. California businesses - including more retail and light manufacturing - diversify the economy and boost wages. Average wages in Magic Valley were about $9.50 an hour five years ago. Today, the average wage is about $12 an hour.
Education
- Is your company ready for "Startup City"?
We're mainly interested in tech startups geared toward business environments, less so in consumer-oriented gadgets and Web sites. They should have a business model, funding, and a year or two of experience, including, preferably, early adopter customers.
- The Benchmark in Venture Capital - Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital
See what Bill had to say about his due diligence process, the ideal start-up, and which part of the technology industry to avoid.
- Social Entrepreneurship: Ten Questions with David Bornstein
David Bornstein is the author of How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas.
- Has smart money abandoned U.S. Web 2.0 companies?
Venture capitalists invested about six percent more into Web 2.0 companies in the first half of 2007, but the increase was attributable to more deals in Europe and Israel.
- VC investors discovering small can be beautiful
With the cost of starting certain technology centered businesses dropping, many VCs are singing a different tune, quietly handing out smaller rounds of cash as small as $75,000.
- How to Be an Executive
Part of being an executive is motivating your employees to get the best possible return. One often-overlooked aspect is how encouraging creativity plays a major role.
Montana Meth Project
- BYU business school at top. It's rated No. 1 among regional MBA programs
Ratings from nearly 4,500 corporate job recruiters pushed BYU's Master of Business Administration (MBA) program into first place among 51 regional schools ranked in the annual Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive survey, up from third place last year and sixth place in 2005.
Connectivity & Communications
- "In Our Own Backyard: Methamphetamine Manufacturing, Trafficking and Abuse in Rural America"
This issue of Rural Realities reviews the patterns and prevalence of meth use in rural America, its impact, and steps that can be taken to curb the problem.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Personal Computing: Keeping Your Computer Going
There are resources out there you can call on when you can't fix things yourself. Before detailing some of those resources, here's a quick list of how to prevent problems in the first place:
- Social networking Web sites grow up. Tech investors, entrepreneurs focusing on baby boomers
Older people are sticky.
- A recipe for connection. Technology eases way for Web conferencing by small businesses
Web conferencing isn't just for the corporate boardroom anymore.
- Computer in the Cloud. Online desktop systems could bridge the digital divide.
Built to work like a whole computer in the cloud and aimed at a wider audience, these browser-based services could help those who can't afford their own computer.
- N.Y. Times ending charge for online access to paper
The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/ will stop charging for access to parts of its Web site, effective at midnight Tuesday, reflecting a growing view in the industry that subscription fees cannot outweigh the potential advertising revenue from increased traffic on a free site.
Incubators and R&D
- Google Expands Online Software Suite to include a business presentation tool similar to Microsoft Corp.'s popular PowerPoint
The new program will be included in Google's free software bundle, called "Docs," which users must be online to employ. And the company will sell a souped-up version to businesses, universities and government agencies for $50 a year per user.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Lewistown Municipal Airport lands $4 million research facility
After nearly four years of planning and negotiating, the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) and the Lewistown Municipal Airport Board signed a contract to establish a $4 million cold weather transportation research center at the airport.
Montana Business
- Venture Capital Firm Numbers Cut in Half since 2000, VC Firm Says
“We think that is the big, so far unwritten, story,” OVP said in the newsletter. “The U.S. venture industry has been cut in half. That certainly qualifies as a major shake-out.”
- Frontier Angel Fund, LLC Brings the Power of Angel Investing to Northwest Montana on Oct. 9
The seminar will cover topics including due diligence, term sheets, valuation, a case study and post investment relationships. It is open to Accredited Investors, entrepreneurial support professionals, university faculty and policy makers who are preparing their client entrepreneurs for the angel investing process.
Montana Biotech
- Cream of the Crop: Entrepreneur magazine honors Missoula business. Michael Burks and Big Sky Specialized Carriers Inc.
“When I'm pursuing the right opportunity, things just fall into place,” he said. “For some reason, I've been blessed - and I'm not gonna keep it to myself.”
- Bresnan Tests Wi-Fi In Montana System
Bresnan Communications has initiated a test of a Wi-Fi network covering a one-square-mile area of downtown Billings, offering free wireless access to its local high-speed Internet customers.
- Age a factor in Montana farm facilities. State Agriculture and Rural Leaders could have some answers.
State Agriculture and Rural Leaders is dedicated to promoting and fostering educational opportunities, cooperation and leadership among state legislators and other policy makers with a commitment to profitable agriculture and vibrant rural communities.
- Increase in Pell Grant amounts likely to hurt Helena employer - Student Assistance Foundation
"It's a good piece of legislation for students," said Jim Stipcich, SAF president and CEO. "But the bottom line, as we look at the lender cuts, is that the level of borrower benefits we're able to provide will be reduced."
- Filming fraud - Actor Simmons narrates documentary on Montana investor scams
The film will feature victims, law enforcement, investment professionals and a journalist talking about two notorious Montana investment scams. The first involved Tom O'Neill, a Butte stockbroker who overtraded without authorization the accounts of some of his clients, many of them elderly.
- SmartData Technology Tested at Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC) in Missoula
The system allows real-time metadata to be embedded in a video stream, allowing for a dynamic combination of video and location intelligence to provide useful and timely information on the ground. “This is an exciting moment,” Dr. Philp stated, “and we are now prepared to conduct live flight tests to demonstrate the value of this technology.”
- Internet disruption in Polson, Montana frustrates customers
The problem: Unlike every place else Bresnan serves in Montana, Polson's Internet connections are made via microwaves, not through a physical circuit, by the company.
Montana Economic Development
- LigoCyte, Biogen Idec to jointly develop anti-inflammatory treatment
LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals Inc said it and biotechnology group Biogen Idec Inc have agreed to jointly develop anti-inflammatory drugs.
- "Global Infectious Disease, Environment And Human Health", 9/29, Big Sky, Montana
The talk is being given in conjunction with the second annual Northern Rocky Mountain Conference on Infectious Disease and Environmental Health co-sponsored by the INBRE and COBRE programs at Montana State University.
Regional Economic Development
- Ag Council selects Growth Through Agriculture projects ~ Next Application Deadline is October 31, 2007 ~
"Growth Through Agriculture is a key program in the Montana Department of Agriculture's efforts to assist entrepreneurs in adding value to the state's agricultural commodities and enhance business opportunities in rural communities," said Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.
- By 2025, Montana expected to have one of the oldest populations in the nation. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute celebrates first year of extended learning. UM to offer gerontology classes.
At UM, the dramatic demographic shift presents more academic and professional opportunities for graduates.
- Montana World Trade Center hosted trip to South America pays off for many Montana businesses
“It really turned out to be one of the best we've ever done,” Sherman said. “I think every single company was very pleased with what took place.”
- Lighhawk to give birds eye view of Bitterroot Valley development
From Sept. 17-19 LightHawk pilot Steve Garman will fly participants from one end of the valley to the other giving them a bird's-eye view of the land and a more complete perspective on issues such as streamside setbacks, riparian corridor restoration and subdivision planning.
Utah Business
- What if Washington teamed up with Oregon to create a regional tourism program?
In general, people don't know our summers are magnificent, our people the epitome of civility and that we have three national parks within two hours of downtown Seattle.
- Growing the Economy in a Region - The benchmark of success in today’s dynamic global marketplace is flexible management.
Workforce development must be the centerpiece of the community’s economic development strategy, although the “workforce” includes the managers and entrepreneurs just as much as the employees on the shop floor, in the office, or in the laboratory.
Idaho Business
- SCO Group Chapter 11 blamed on IBM suit
The SCO Group Inc., which gambled its future on a lawsuit against giant IBM over use of computer codes the small Utah company claimed it owned, filed Friday for bankruptcy.
Washington State Business
- Information technology integrator Coeur d'com Communications Inc.of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Generic pharmaceuticals manufacturer RxElite Holdings Inc.of Meridian, Idaho make Entrepreneur Magazine's Hot 500
Success Secret: "Teamwork. "Gettin' good players is easy. Gettin' them to play together is the hard part."—Casey Stengel"
- From mining town to condo-crazy ski resort in just a few years: Kellogg, Idaho
In a place where homes were selling for $30,000 five years ago, brand-new condos costing more than $800,000 are selling as fast as they go on the market.
- Boisean sees the benefits of his company's software in Iraq. Trancite Logic Systems
"I try to share with our staff that we have very real people out there who are dependent on us," Evarts said. "When we're testing our software, I want them to think about the person who is out there in 120 degrees with 40 pounds of gear relying on our stuff to not fail."
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Life Sciences grant aims at boosting health care in Washington State
The grant competition promises to boost health care in Washington, while spurring economic growth. It will rely on about $350 million in tobacco industry bonus money distributed over 10 years. The first batch is due to arrive April 15, 2008.
Energy
- Montana State University Extension Agencies work on economy
"This partnership identifies a model that we would like to utilize to increase the impact of Extension in these areas that are so important to communities while we remain true to traditional Extension visions and purposes," said Doug Steele, MSU Extension director.
Commuter Rail Development
- Turning A City Green
Everyone knows about keeping up with the Joneses, but Ashton Hayes, a commuter village in western England, may be the first place where keeping up with the Joneses can mean saving money instead of spending it—by keeping down energy costs and consumption.
- Greenwood Technologies gets $3 million in venture capital. Gather logs. Burn them. Heat your home.
The company says it has developed a superefficient way to burn wood to heat buildings -- a breakthrough that could overhaul a largely unregulated industry long known for its polluting ways and attract customers looking to switch to a renewable energy source.
- Activist portal has a positive attitude. Care2.com has drawn millions of members since 1998
“There’s been a groundswell in consumer interest in doing something positive for the world,” says Paynter.
Transportation
- SLUT -- Streetcar's unfortunate acronym seems here to stay
Officially, it's now the South Lake Union Streetcar. But the trolley name already has caught on, and in the old Cascade neighborhood in South Lake Union, they're waiting for the SLUT.
Montana Education Excellence
- The bicycle thief. Bike paths and trails "are really not transportation." Transportation Secretary Mary Peters
Bike activists face an uphill climb against Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, who claims bike paths are not transportation and are stealing tax money from bridges and roads.
Leadership Montana
- Montana State University, Bozeman schools receive $1 million to enhance teaching in state
A new $1 million grant will help the Bozeman School District and Montana State University work together to facilitate American history education in Montana schools.
- Lewistown, Montana learning hub opens
Students began classes in nursing, business and other subjects in the 15,000-square-foot building last month
- University of Montana scientists upset over lab move
“This whole mess is a sad commentary on the legacy of Clancy Gordon,” Bromenshenk said, referring to founder of the EVST program. “This lab is being closed and moved without a real plan as to where it will go and how it will serve the people who use it. “Basically, we've been kicked out,” Bromenshenk said.
- UM China campus remains on back burner
For now, Weidner said he’s focusing on other, more pressing projects, such as the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Conference this week, titled “The China Threat: Myth or Reality?” Dennison said more than 20 U.S. university presidents and vice presidents, including UM Provost Royce Engstrom, will attend a higher education conference in China at the end of October. Weidner said he wasn’t aware of the conference, and doubted that the Xiamen campus would be on the agenda.
- What Is the Moral Responsibility of a Business Leader?
"Business as usual" can no longer attend only to the financial bottom line.
- Workplace Coach: Office manager-coaches are made, not born
Coaching is a fundamental competency and required skill set for today's leader.
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