TECHdotMN: News about Minnesota Startups

Via News Release

“ENGLEWOOD, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 27, 2012– Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW) announced today that it has acquired Asset Recovery Corporation (“Asset Recovery”), a North American provider of electronics asset disposition (EAD) services.

Asset Recovery offers a comprehensive array of EAD services including data removal, data security, refurbishment, and remarketing of electronic assets, while ensuring compliance with local and national data security and environmental regulations.”

Read More…

Tech entrepreneur Justin Kaufenberg co founded TST Media with Carson Kipfer circa 2008 after the spinning out what is now their flagship product, NGIN, from a service-oriented web business they originally formed in 2005 while attending college.

In 2009, the company raised an initial $1m round of funding from Twin Cities Angels and more recently, landed $3.5m series B led by El Dorado Ventures.

Throughout the fundraising, customer and employee growth — the firm has made two acquisitions, the latest of which was WSN from TDS earlier this month.   We’ve since caught up with him to learn more about these maneuvers and hear what it’s been like from an entrepreneurial point of view.

Read More…

Via News Release

“MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – February 3, 2012 – TST Media today announced that it has acquired Wisconsin Sports Network (WSN) from TDS Telecom. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, WSN is the online media destination of choice for over 85,000 student athletes participating in high school athletics in the state of Wisconsin every year.”

Read More…

Via News Release

“MINNEAPOLIS—January 13 , 2012—7 Medical Systems, LLC, a leader in on‐demand digital imaging, electronic medical records (EMR) and revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions for healthcare, today announced the closing of its acquisition of Manager Consultoria em Informatica LTDA EPP. (“Manager Systems®”), a health informatics company providing practice management, EMR, radiology information systems (RIS) and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) to hospitals and clinics in Brazil.”

Read More…

Via News Release

“STILWELL, Kan., Jan. 9, 2011 – Ascend Learning, a leading provider of technology-based educational solutions for healthcare and other vocational industries, has acquired Advanced Informatics, a software company helping healthcare education programs more efficiently manage the clinical education experience of their students.

The deal is part of Ascend’s overall growth plan, which emphasizes strong, organic growth of its current business units and selective, strategic acquisitions. “

Read More…

Via News Release

“MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 5, 2012 - Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) said today that it has completed the acquisition of mindSHIFT Technologies, Inc., the nation’s leading managed service provider (MSP) for small and mid-sized businesses.

mindSHIFT provides managed IT, cloud, data center and professional services to more than 5,400 clients and 25,000 managed desktops in markets throughout the U.S.”

Read More…

Via News Release

“ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GovDelivery announced today the acquisition of New Jersey-based GovInteract (GovI), an emerging leader in complete Web solutions, including multi-channel emergency communication, for the public sector.

The GovI team will continue to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GovDelivery under the leadership of GovI Founder and President, John Carrino. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.”

Read More…

Via News Release

“Minneapolis – December 30, 2011 – MakeMusic, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMUS) today announced it has completed the acquisition of Garritan Corporation, the world’s leading provider of virtual software instruments. Under the terms of the agreement, Garritan Corporation is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of MakeMusic.”

Read More…

Via News Release

“Minneapolis – December 20, 2011 – MakeMusic, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMUS) today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Garritan Corporation, the world’s leading provider of software musical instruments. Under the terms of the agreement, Garritan Corporation will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of MakeMusic. Founder Gary Garritan will be joining MakeMusic as director of instrumental sciences. Closing is subject to customary conditions and is expected to occur within the next few weeks.”

Read More…

Via News Release

“MANKATO, Minn. –HickoryTech Corporation (NASDAQ: HTCO) announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire IdeaOne Telecom Group, LLC, a metro fiber network provider in Fargo, North Dakota, in an all-cash transaction valued at $28 million with routine adjustments for capital expenditures and working capital.”

Read More…