5 Reasons We Need the Angel Investment Tax Credit in Minnesota
In a down economy, risk capital dries up. With banks in lockdown and VC's acting cautiously, angel investor money is critical to the new enterprises that are creating 21st century jobs. The proposed...
View ArticleIs Entrepreneurship a Social Justice Issue?
In the current economy, entrepreneurship has become a financial necessity. Even while large-scale economies have sputtered, the entrepreneurial economy has taken off, empowering individuals to harness...
View ArticleLive Theater and Medical Technology, or Why We Should Lose Silicon Valley Envy
Minnesota has a legacy of world-class innovation and the resources and brainpower to keep it going. Live theater and med-tech are just two examples of world class creativity and success. While we...
View ArticleHow to Choose Minnesota Judges? Quietly.
Our Minnesota judicial system needs qualified, impartial candidates and there are a few good ways to get them. The current controversy over judicial selection in Minnesota is born from a desire to...
View ArticleWho are Minnesota's Radical CEO's? And Why We Need Them.
Does Minnesota have any “radical CEO’s”? I’ve asked this question many times, and I usually get blank looks or, “I can’t really think of any.” Radical CEO’s, who get the deep and organic connection...
View ArticleMinnesota Radical CEO #1 - Matt Dornquast - Code 42 Software
In an earlier post, I raised the question, “Who are Minnesota’s Radical Tech CEOs?” Matt Dornquast of Code 42 Software is just such a CEO.
View ArticleMemorial Day and the Loss of Gravity
Memorial Day is a day to remember the 1.2 million plus who gave their lives in a U.S. uniform. When you enjoy your Memorial Day picnic with family, and you should, will you remember the 1.2 million?...
View ArticleBilski, Business Method Patents and the Uncertainty Principle
On June 28, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court in the Bilski case addressed the controversial issue of whether business methods are unpatentable. While there many seeking a bright-rule, the Court simply...
View ArticleMN Radical CEO #2 - Ashish Gadnis (Forward Hindsight/Koozala)
Born in India, Ashish Gadnis moved to Minnesota in the 90’s where he has since built a successful consulting firm speaking truth to power (Forward Hindsight), recently launched a personal electronic...
View ArticleSoccer and the Joy of the People
In Brazil, soccer (futbol) is so beloved that it's often referred to as alegria de povo, translated from Portugese as the "joy of the people." The relentless love of the Brazilian people for soccer...
View ArticleMN Radical CEO #3 - Sona Mehring (CaringBridge.org)
Sona Mehring is a MN tech entrepreneur you need to know about. With a computer science degree and incredible vision, she has led the creation of several software startups, including CaringBridge.org,...
View ArticleDo You Know Any Entrepreneurs? 5 Questions for the Elected (Newly and Otherwise
The public sector has a critical role in helping to promote tech innovation and entrepreneurship. If communities (and their elected leaders) want high-value job growth, then they need to help the...
View Article2010: A Minnesota Startup/Innovation Highlights Reel
2010 was an amazing year for startup action and activism in Minnesota. The community is coming together in recognition that the innovation economy can’t be grown through luck or grand schemes – but...
View ArticleIs Government the Enemy of Business...? No.
While there are oft-repeated slogans about government's impairment of commerce, the truth is simpler. The government is us - and so is business. These human institutions work together in rich ways...
View ArticleMinnesota Radical CEO #4
We are about to experience a massive demographic shift in the United States such that by 2050, senior citizens will make up 20% of the population. Kathryn Roberts, President and CEO of Ecumen...
View ArticlePatent Reform 2011 - Highlights of the America Invents Act
The America Invents Act made a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law, some to harmonize U.S. practice with foreign practice, others to improve the patent examination process, including for...
View ArticleMN StartUpdate - Jan. 2012
It’s going to be an amazing year for MN startups, both in idea generation and funding. Lots of industries in disruption mode. Be part of the story.
View ArticleStartup Crowdfunding is Here
What if you could launch your startup through social media-driven fundraising? Well, with the new federal JOBS Act, to be signed into law this Thursday, you'll be able to.
View ArticleMN Innovation Update - fall 2012
Fall is a great time to check in on our innovation economy. Here are a few recent and upcoming innovation action highlights from MN (and beyond).
View ArticleOur Friend, the Photo Cop
Common sense: Photo cop is a cost-effective way to reduce red light violations that indisputably impose unnecessary risk of injury to persons (like children, pedestrians, other drivers) and property....
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