| Investors Headline Tech Commercialization Seminars
Developed for graduate and PhD students in technology and science programs across the University of Minnesota, the 3M Seminar series features interactive discussions and case studies on how to bring your ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace. Chris Smith from Coral Group led a January session on Lean Startups in High Tech, while Doug Cameron of FirstGreen Partners will keynote the February 18th session on Commercializing Clean Tech.
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Startup Weekend Twin Cities Returns to Carlson School
More than 100 developers, designers and entrepreneurs took over the Carlson School on Feb 10-12th, spending 54 hours developing the next great online services. Carlson undergrad and MBA students participated on a number of teams that developed mobile and online services to simplify searching for podcasts, improve wellness programs for small businesses, locate items within grocery stores and receive rewards for uploading photos of their retail receipts. Thanks to Shane Reiser, Jeff Pesek and Mike Bollinger for organizing another great event! More.
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 Forbes to Speak on Team Formation
Professor Dan Forbes will speak on February 24th on designing entrepreneurial teams and share the research from studies on team formation for commercializing university-based inventions. In a recent study co-authored by Harry Sapienza and Mary Zellmer-Bruhn, they focused on the earliest steps taken toward team formation during the pre-startup stage and asked, "How do nascent founders design entrepreneurial teams?" Forbes talk is part of the Friday Leadership Research Forum organized by the Center for Integrative Leadership. More. |
 Entrepreneurs Launch
Gopher Angels Network
David and Sara Russick are leading the formation of a new angel network to facilitate investment in early-stage companies. Through bi-monthly dinner meetings at the University, members will hear 2-3 investor pitches and meet emerging entrepreneurs. The goals are to create value for early stage businesses, prepare them for subsequent investments and provide a profitable return to angel investors. More. See related article. |
Abdo Dinner Engages MBA Couples and Family Issues
Larry and Caryl Abdo once again welcomed Carlson MBA students and spouses to their historic Nicollet Island Inn for the 7th installment of the Abdo Dinner Conversation Series. Over dinner at their award winning restaurant, the Abdos, Larey and Craig Swanson, and John and Phoebe Stavig led a discussion on the challenges and rewards of being married to an entrepreneur (and their business!). More.
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 2011 Grad Supports Womens Shelter in Peru
Joy McBrien, BSB '11, put her aspirations of a fashionable fair trade clothing company on hold to join Americorps and support a womens shelter in Peru. With the help of a pending Fulbright scholarship application, she hopes to stay in Peru next year to study education and launch her clothing company. More. |
BizPitch Competition Sparks Interest Across Campus
The annual April competition calling out great student business ideas expanded to a Fall version with record participation from five colleges across the University. Ten student ideas were selected from more than thirty entries to compete for $800 in cash prizes. Xi Maiong won first place with her international procurement service, while other ideas for edgy greeting cards, tandem bike tours, virtual personal trainers and fantasy social network competitions brought the audience to their feet. More.
 | | This Week @Minnesota: Google, Biz Pitch and Carlson flash mob |
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Entrepreneurship Class Launches New Businesses
Students in this years Entrepreneurship in Action class launched two new businesses to experience the actual startup process. TC Flash, LLC is working with leading Twin Cities theaters to sell excess tickets and direct the proceeds to local charities. Rally Bags, LLC is bringing back the 80's fanny pack - adding style and updated features for personal electronics. Learn more about this unique experiential class. |
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Entrepreneurship
Fast Facts 2011
5th Largest Major
10 MBA Courses
9 Undergraduate Courses
1,370 Enrollment
22 Interns
21 Student Mentors
48 MN Cup Mentors
10 Businesses Formed
126 Student/Alum Entrepreneurs Advised
16 Articles Published
30 Papers Presented
6 Research Awards
2008, 2009
Honorable Mention in Princeton Review Rankings
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Holmes Center Advisory Board
Robert Buuck
Judy Corson
Gary Holmes
Joy Lindsay
Dan Mallin
Prof. Myles Shaver
Lloyd Sigel
John Stavig
Roy Wetterstrom
Prof. Shaker Zahra
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Thank You
Holmes Center Benefactors
Floyd Adelman
Anonymous Alumnus
Jennifer & Kevin Amys
Selemon Asfaw
Tom Auth
Jesse Bergland
Norman Bjornnes
Robert Buuck
Buuck Foundation
Laura Carter
Judy Corson
Deluxe Corp. Foundation
Tim & Val Doherty
Geoff Dutton
John Fesler
David Frauenshuh
Harold Goldfine
Heath Foundation
Merle Hilliard
Gary Holmes
Pat Hopf
Hubbard Foundation
Ann & Robert Jackson
Anna & Eugene Karpas
Steve Klick
Tim Kraskey
Joy Lindsay
Gerald Magnuson
Chris Mayr
Spence Morley
Rachel Nearhood
Mark Paper
Gary Rappaport
Richard Foundation
Dave Ring
Harold Roitenberg
Mike Sill
Robert Simon
State Farm Insurance
John Stavig
J.A. Wedum Foundation
Roy Wetterstrom
John Whaley
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Thank You
MN Cup Mentors
Floyd Adelman
Kenan Aksoz
David Bagley
Josh Baltzell
Clark Becker
Robert Befidi, Jr.
John Bergstrom
Mary Pat Blake
Rick Brimacomb
Scott Burns
Ed Cannon
Joel Cannon
Nicholas Clementi
Gary Cohen
Judy Corson
Tony Crisman
David Croslin
Greg Frankenfield
Bob French
Dan Grigsby
Gary Halleen
Franz Hofmeister
Bonnie Holub
Scott Jagodzinski
Dan Johnson
Aaron Keller
Linda Hall Keller
Anne Kelly
Don Keysser
Steve King
Brian Kovalchuk
Tim Kraskey
Patrick Kullman
Ruth Lane
Steve Mase
Peter McCormick
Mary Meehan
Spence Morley
Steve Nielsen
Kaye O'Leary
Steve Pederson
Mark Price
Prakash Puram
Ron Reimann
Jeffrey Robinson
Brett Shockley
Rajiv Tandon
John Tedesco
Jim Thomas
Troy Venjohn
Jeanne Voigt
Roy Wetterstrom
Michael Wright
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