Innovation + Job News

The Office for Technology Commercialization (OTC) has helped numerous University of Minnesota researchers, becoming an engine for economic development. Now, it's even more useful for university-based entrepreneurs.
 
A new program will eliminate the kind of roadblocks that have challenged researchers in the past. Previously, researchers have had difficulties launching startups within the university, since some federal business grants require a certain amount of time spent on the business. Researchers struggled to fit their entrepreneurial ventures together with their academic duties.
 
But now, they can turn to the OTC for assistance, notes university spokesperson John Merritt. The office will help faculty members create companies and avoid conflicts of interest. Entrepreneurs can use the school's lab for business projects, and the university will own 49 percent of the company.
 
The OTC will guide faculty in the formation of a business, and will assist in recruitment of formal management teams for each new company.
 
The new approach is part of a move toward making the university more entrepreneurial, and geared more toward winning federal grants like Small Business Technology Transfer and Small Business Innovation Research.
 
Merritt adds that the OTC has been in a process of reinvention itself over the last three or four years. This fresh program should help university researchers and faculty to be more competitive for grants, and pursue entrepreneurial ventures in the future.
 
Source: John Merritt, University of Minnesota
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Fred Haberman never intended to go into public relations. It just turned out that he's very good at it, especially when he's following his passion and encouraging others to do the same.
 
After starting an adventure travel company and an organizational development counseling firm with his wife, Haberman fell into the PR field. The couple started their own business in their house, with clients meeting at the dining room table, and eventually grew it into a 38-employee firm housed in the Warehouse District.
 
Growth has been robust, Haberman notes, attracting clients like explorer Ann Bancroft, Great River Energy, National Cooperative Grocers Association, Organic Valley, Slow Money Alliance, HealthSimple, and the Social Venture Network.
 
Sensing a theme yet?
 
Haberman's firm specializes in sustainability-focused clients who are trying to make a contribution to their communities, and Haberman has that same vision.
 
"We're geared toward helping to create a collaborative world," he says. "The question is: how do we make a difference while being financially sustainable? And we think the answer is that we follow our passion."
 
Companies have begun to seek out Haberman, to tap into that energy and spark that sets the firm apart. As a result, he expects to keep hiring and growing the firm, which benefits not just the company and its employees, but all of us, Haberman believes.
 
"There's something remarkable about creating shared value," he says. "That's what we've been about from the beginning."
 
Source: Fred Haberman, Haberman
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

In 2010, Sonal Gerten was pregnant, and began looking for cute clothes for the baby boy she was expecting. "I just wanted clothes he could get dirty," she recalls. "Something really bright and fun."
 
Although there were no shortage of clothes options, nothing seemed quite right, especially for boys. She found a wealth of muted colors, but nothing like the beautiful colors and patterns that she saw every time she visited relatives in India.
 
She decided to abandon her search and start her own company instead, launching Tumblewalla (the Hindi word for "one who tumbles") in December 2011. She focused on making play clothes without zippers, stiff fabrics, or complicated button closures, and the colors are crayon-level bright.
 
One distinctive part of the company is Gerten's emphasis on initiatives that give kids more opportunities to play (whether wearing their Tumblewalla duds or not). In an effort she calls Tumble & Tickle, the entrepreneur supports The Priynaka Foundation, which supports children facing chronic and terminal illness, as well as One Home Many Hopes, a Kenyan organization that houses and educates abandoned and orphaned girls in that country.
 
Over a year after starting the company, Gerten is seeing traction and is hopeful about growing and expanding operations over the coming year. She wants to increase awareness of the two Tumble & Tickle organizations, and to expand her product line as well. She's been getting picked up in some local retail stores, and envisions going beyond clothing into other play-related items like coloring books and toys.
 
"I have high hopes for this, and I'm excited about how it's been going," she says. "We're just gauging the consumer appetite right now, but it's looking like a very bright future."
 
Source: Sonal Gerten, Tumblewalla
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Marketing to the Millennial age group--18-to-28-year-olds--can be more than tricky, but a new Minneapolis-based agency has the savvy and background to help. After all, it's run by a couple of Millennials.
 
Started in January 2011, The Social Lights got started when friends Martha McCarthy and Emily Pritchard decided to combine their entrepreneurial energies while they were both attending the University of St. Thomas.
 
They did business plan competitions together and took classes in journalism as well as business topics. They created The Social Lights during their last semester at school, and McCarthy recalls that it wasn't easy. "We were doing homework and pitching clients at the same time," she says.
 
After graduation, they came to a full boil and took on numerous campaigns, focusing on others in their age group. "Sometimes companies that are trying to use social media can have a hard time reaching Millennials," says McCarthy. "They know how to use the tools, but they don't know how to communicate with them. Since we're in that age range, we have insight into what that audience needs."
 
With an increasing number of clients, the firm is getting ready to hire its first non-founder employee this summer. McCarthy believes that the hire will be another major step forward for the company: "We're not sure how large we'd like to get eventually, but this is very exciting, to get to this point."
 
Source: Martha McCarthy, The Social Lights
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Wayzata- and Minneapolis-based RBA Consulting has been advising clients about technology since 2006, and has shown an impressive success rate over the past few years. When it landed on the Inc. 5000 list last year, the magazine noted that its growth over the previous three years came in at 247 percent, with an increase of 89 employees in that timeframe.
 
Now, the company is ready to get even more robust.
 
Last September, the consulting firm acquired Ratchet, a Minneapolis-based digital marketing company, and subsequently changed the name of the combined company to just RBA.
 
The combined company offers a wide range of services, from custom application development and infrastructure expertise to portals and collaboration solutions.
 
"Historically, marketing organizations and IT departments haven't gotten along well," says RBA President and COO Mike Reinhart. "We see an opportunity for RBA to come in and create cohesion there. We understand marketing and what they're trying to accomplish, and we know how IT needs to work. We're bringing the CIO and the CMO together."
 
The company is expecting to grow by about 30 percent this year, and is in the midst of active hiring, Reinhart adds. He predicts that with RBA's strong sales force, more hiring will be ahead as well.
 
Most of all, he and others at the company are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, now that the usual challenges that come with mergers are behind them.
 
"I'm a technologist at heart, and I love that I'm surrounded by bright and talented people who are thinking about how best to leverage our capabilities," says Reinhart.
 
Source: Mike Reinhart, RBA
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Entrepreneurial incubation program Project Skyway was much heralded for its first round of tech acceleration. Although the initial cycle saw a couple of speed bumps--which the founders expected, given that it's the state's first seed-stage startup program--it resulted in the growth of several early-stage companies.
 
Now comes round two, with a quartet of businesses that are looking to be the next big thing in tech. Here's the lineup, which will be worth watching over the next couple of months:
 
YumZing: This service is similar to Yelp, but instead of collecting information on restaurants, it'll list menu items. So, if you want to find the best taco in town, or a list of creative cocktails, the site will guide you there.
 
HypeSpark: Users of this site can earn rewards and freebies by endorsing brands through social media.
 
Energy Resource Insights: An aggregator of data from thousands of reports, this service relies on a central database that can provide current information on regional energy programs.
 
Political Harmony: The name might sound like an oxymoron, but the site's creators intend for the service to help voters choose political candidates more effectively.
 
Focused on building companies that promise long-term and sustainable growth, Project Skyway provides mentorship and support. For this latest round, the competition was ferocious.
 
"These companies beat out ambitious entrepreneurs from five states and four different countries," says Project Skyway co-founder Casey Allen. "In a nutshell, they're all solid entrepreneurs that we believe are working on solid ideas."
 
Source: Casey Allen, Project Skyway
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

The unemployment rate for teenagers is dismal, currently at about 25 to 35 percent, but one startup is hoping to change those numbers for local kids.
 
Rock Your Block aims to provide an easy, simple way for teens to find odd jobs within their neighborhoods--and create a deeper sense of community as a result.
 
First conceived in late 2010 (see The Line's previous coverage here) by entrepreneur Sarah Young, the organization's site has been developed over the past year, and has just gone into beta launch. Young and co-founders John Hibscher and Steven Ladin have been meeting with business owners and community organization leaders in the meantime, to find job opportunities that can be posted.
 
"We want to have the site at the point where teens can apply right away, and that's been a big challenge," she says. "But we're working out those issues, and we're excited by what we see ahead."
 
Young believes that the model is sound, and once the initial beta is over, the site has the ability to take off. "We're empowering teenagers to develop a strong work ethic, and at the same time we're addressing the needs of the community," she says. "That's a powerful combination."
 
The site will also include information on internship opportunities and other education, to give teens a chance to develop new skills. For example, they can learn to build a resume, handle a job interview, or budget their time effectively.
 
Source: Sarah Young, Rock Your Block
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

It was quite a way to kick off a new year. Recently, Edina-based ReconRobotics received a $13.9 million contract from the U.S. Army, in its largest order to date.
 
The company started in 2006 as a way to commercialize technology from the University of Minnesota's Distributed Robotics Laboratory (see previous Line coverage here). At this point, the company's micro-robot systems are used around the world by military and police forces.
 
ReconRobotics employs 52 people, with 22 added in just the last year. CEO Alan Bignall says, "We'll be expanding in many ways: in orders for our current product, in research and development, and in hiring."
 
Growth is coming from several areas, he adds. First, there's the realization that personal-level robotics are becoming more common. He compares the devices to night-vision goggles, which were once rare in the law enforcement arena, but are now common. He expects that in the not-too-distant future, smaller robots will be standard for many military and law enforcement situations.
 
Also, demand is increasing in other areas, like healthcare and maintenance. Mini-robots might be used for shoveling your sidewalk, he notes, or even for babysitting.
 
"Imagine if I could have a robot watch my kids in the backyard and let me know if they stray too far," he says. "We'll find more and more uses for this technology, especially as we add capabilities like additional sensors. It's a very exciting time to be in this field."
 
Source: Alan Bignall, ReconRobotics
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Urban farming is experiencing a huge boom in the Twin Cities, and is expected to grow stronger in the near future. Community gardens, employer gardens, and mini-farmers'-markets are popping up everywhere, and more municipal initiatives are geared toward encouraging growth.
 
So it's not surprising that a major new farm could take root. Stone's Throw Urban Farm brings together seven farmers and 12 vacant lots in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, covering four acres altogether.
 
To get the necessary startup capital, the group just launched a Kickstarter campaign. One of the farmers, Alex Liebman, notes that they wanted to put themselves on the path of independence, where they didn't rely on external funding in order to run.
 
The farm will offer shares in its community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, and will sell at the Mill City Farmers Market, but it turned to Kickstarter for the funds needed for initial projects, like building a hoophouse that will house spring transplants.
 
"Our goal is to provide a financially viable source of employment, while also tackling bigger ecological issues," says Liebman. Vegetables and fruits are grown without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, and the farmers will hold tours and volunteer days so local residents can participate in the farm.
 
"There's a lot of coordination with this many sites, and so many people involved," Liebman notes. "But the benefits outweigh the challenges. There's a lot of excitement and great ideas happening right now."
 
Source: Alex Liebman, Stone's Throw Urban Farm
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

The Twin Cities has been lauded many times for its bike-friendly routes and strategies, but what happens if you have a flat at 10pm?
 
Until now, repair service has been limited to bike shop hours, but local startup Bike Fixtation aims to change that. Started by entrepreneurs Chad DeBaker and Alex Anderson, the firm creates kiosks that pair a large vending machine with a standalone bike repair rack.
 
The idea was sparked during DeBaker's bachelor party, when he and a group of friends were bar-hopping by bike. One of them got a flat tire, and no one had a spare tube.
 
"We thought it was crazy that we live in one of the biggest biking places in the country and we couldn't get a tube after 8pm," he says.
 
Bicyclists can buy products such as tubes, patch kits, tools, and even sunscreen and energy bars, whenever they like. The repair rack features a collection of tools, attached by theft-proof cords, and an electric tire pump.
 
The first kiosk was installed inside the Uptown Transit Station, just above the Midtown Greenway. A second location is planned for Lake Street and Hiawatha, in the light rail station there.
 
Bike Fixtation has been building up its capital by selling equipment--like the bike repair station--worldwide, so other cities can duplicate the effort. In addition to more locations, the company is also working to bring out more products, like public bicycle pumps.
 
"In general, everyone has been very supportive of the project," says DeBaker. "Cyclists are getting a lot of use out of it, and that's great to see."
 
Source: Chad DeBaker, Bike Fixtation
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Launched in late February, Minneapolis-based PH Digital Labs may utilize a number of technologies in order to manage brands, but the firm distinguishes itself by focusing on an old-fashioned concept: personal connection.
 
"The gap that we see in the space is that people still want to connect with brands in a personal way," says co-founder and Director of Strategy Kyle Meehan. "That can get lost in the digital space. We want to make that connection deeper, more meaningful, and more relevant and authentic. We want to turn 'likes' into 'loves.'"
 
Offering search engine marketing, digital content, web design services, and social media marketing, PH Digital Labs aims to build a customized, digital strategy for each client.
 
The firm comes out of Pocket Hercules (see The Line's coverage of that company here), a branding and ad agency that's found success in creating its own products as well as representing major clients. Meehan notes that the relationship is advantageous, because it allows PH Digital Labs to pull from the talent at Pocket Hercules for specific projects.
 
For the future, he expects that PH Digital Labs will do more hiring to expand its in-house team. Until then, the firm is readying itself for growth through some initial clients.
 
"Our growth will come from a couple of decent-sized projects, and we're confident that those will come our way soon," says Meehan.
 
Source: Kyle Meehan, PH Digital Labs
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Twin Cities Software Symposium
 
March 2 - 4
Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel
3900 American Blvd. W., Bloomington
$975
 
Focusing on best practices in the enterprise software development space, this conference is put on by "No Fluff Just Stuff," a technology event company that usually specializes in Java and Agility. For its Twin Cities gathering, the firm promises "hype-free technical training for developers, architects, and technical managers," with over 55 sessions offered over the weekend.
 
Women Leading in Technology
 
March 6
The Woman's Club of Minneapolis
5:00 - 7:30
$15; free with valid student ID
 
Sponsored by the Minnesota High Tech Association, this event is put on quarterly to help women learn more about the technology industry and to network with other professionals. Industry experts share their experience, and the event is particularly valuable for those who are just entering the technology field.
 
Entrepreneurs Rally
 
March 13
CoCo Minneapolis
6:00pm - 9:30pm
$10 for keynote plus Mentorlab; free without Mentorlab
 
Presented by Entrepreneurs' Organization Minnesota, this networking-fest is designed to bring the entrepreneurial community together for a night of think-tank style interaction. The keynote speaker is Ido Leffler, co-founder of Yes To Inc. (makers of Yes to Carrots products). Those who are founders, co-founders, or CEOs of a company with revenues under $1 million can attend Mentorlab, which pairs participants with leading local companies.
 
Mobile March

March 16 & 17
Embassy Suites-Minneapolis Airport
7901 34th Ave. S., Bloomington
$85
 
This event offers the latest information in mobile technology and trends. Now in its third year, Mobile March offers two learning tracks: mobile development and mobile business. Sessions range in topic from games to mobile trends for the year ahead, to boosting loyalty through mobile app development.

The local beer scene just keeps getting more and more lively, and the latest entrant is Indeed Brewing, located in Northeast Minneapolis.
 
The Line recently covered the growth of craft beer, and also noted how Indeed is moving into the rehabbed Solar Arts Building. With a strong market and a distinctive location, the brewery has a robust head start for growth.
 
"We wanted to create a brewery that could offer a fuller approach," says co-founder Tom Whisenand. "We want to sell in bars and restaurants, but also liquor stores."
 
The use of cans instead of bottles might help that effort. Unlike many of the craft breweries in the Twin Cities, Indeed has chosen to can their beer, emphasizing the durability, portability, and environmental friendliness of cans (lighter to transport, they use less fuel to ship, and are fully recyclable).
 
Another ingredient for success is Josh Bischoff as head brewer, Whisenand notes. Bischoff comes out of Town Hall Brewery, and has won awards for several of his brews. He's been the force behind the beer's first "hop-forward" brews, due this summer.
 
Whisenand came up with the name "Indeed" after he and co-founders Rachel Anderson and Nathan Berndt kicked around numerous choices. He felt that it was an affirmation of living in Minnesota, as in, "Despite the winters, this is indeed a great place to live."
 
That type of positive outlook fuels the company, he says: "We all love living here, and we believe we can create quality beer in a great place."
 
Source: Tom Whisenand, Indeed Brewing
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Justin Kaufenberg and Carson Kipfer were just a couple of students at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, trying to figure out how to make more beer money. What they developed turned out to be a thriving, successful venture that's likely to have over 100 employees by the end of the year.
 
The pair mixed Kaufenberg's economics and business background with Kipfer's graphic design experience, and started doing design and creative work for small businesses in Wisconsin. When they began getting more customers, they rented studio space and ramped up production. By graduation, they were talking about the next step.
 
Having both come from sports backgrounds, the pair decided to focus on developing software that could power sports organizations--everything from online registration to statistics compilation. They originally dubbed their venture Puck Systems, but changed the name to TST Media (Team Sport Technologies) once they moved beyond initial hockey clients.
 
In 2006, they moved to the Twin Cities, Kipfer notes: "At the time, our niche was hockey, so it was natural to come here. This is the best place in the nation to be in the hockey industry."
 
The firm continued to gain momentum, and now has 85 employees, with 10 job openings. "Our hiring plans are pretty aggressive for the remainder of the year," Kipfer says. "We have a product that's geared for explosive growth, and we're trying to maintain that."
 
Source: Carson Kipfer, TST Media
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Strategic expansion, grassroots marketing, and corporate sponsorship: these aren't exactly what you'd imagine when watching the Choo Choo Bob Show. But behind the cheery talk about trains and friendship on the new show, a strong business and brand are being built.
 
The show started after Bob Medcraft, owner of St. Paul-based Choo Choo Bob's Train Store, did a television commercial for the store with Joe Martin and Wilson Webb. The trio had fun making it and subsequent feedback convinced them to do a TV show about trains. At first, they'd envisioned something on cable access, but then they decided to create something with more polish.
 
"The finished shows turned out great; kids loved them and parents were really positive," says Medcraft. "I decided that I was going to do everything I could to find someone who could help us raise money and get more episodes made." He turned to University of Minnesota professor Bob Vince, who offered to finance the project. Vince and Medcraft formed a company, and the Choo Choo production engine got turned on.
 
Because the show is too "old fashioned and atypical" to match what's on Disney and Nickelodeon, Medcraft notes that they're creating a Choo Choo Bob Network, which will pay to broadcast the show throughout the region. They're also putting together a live show that will go on tour, with the first show April 14th at the Riverview Theater.
 
"We came to the conclusion that if we want to get the show on TV, then we'll have to do it ourselves," he says.
 
Source: Bob Medcraft, Choo Choo Bob Show
Writer: Elizabeth Millard