Via News Release
“BOSTON, MA – The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and Fortune Magazine announced that Atomic Data (Rank 26) based in Minneapolis, MN was selected for the 2012 Inner City 100, a list of the fastest-growing inner city companies in the U.S. The Inner City 100 program recognizes successful inner city companies and their CEOs as role models for entrepreneurship, innovative business practices and job creation in America’s urban communities.”
By John Reinan, MinnPost
“Brad von Bank and Kristin Pardue envision an army of schoolchildren fanning out across north Minneapolis to build websites for local businesses. With the money they earn, they open an online T-shirt shop. The earnings from the shop go toward bringing along the next group of kids.
It’s an inspirational vision. And this husband-and-wife team appear to have the business chops to pull it off.”
Read More… [2]
Minnesota tech entrepreneur Dana Severson began crowdfunding experiment Wahooly last fall after identifying a widespread “chicken and egg problem in terms of startup traction and funding.”
Wahooly was original enough to build some quick buzz, strategic partnerships, tens of thousands of early adopters (4:00), and notable launch in February.
Although the site crashed and burned within the first week, the only thing Severson quit was his day job. Over the following 90 days, Wahooly would come back with validation and cash.
Severson is the first to admit that Wahooly has a long way to go, but he’s already crossed the hardest entrepreneurial line of them all: doing.
TECHdotMN: When asked about a theme which you felt was most relevant to your experiences as an entrepreneur so far, you chose “jumping”. Why?
By Dan Carr, Star Tribune
“Did you know that 46 percent of adult Americans now have a smartphone, according to Pew Research? And, Flurry Mobile Analytics estimates that 45 percent of our media consumption time is spent interacting with our phones and the Web.
Business has also moved to the Web in a big way. Our enterprises sell differently, communicate expansively and track information robustly. Storage, security and software engineering — long Minnesota strengths — are being leveraged in exciting and creative new businesses, as well as large businesses.”
By Christopher Magan, St. Paul Pioneer Press
“Could the days of notes coming home to parents in students’ backpacks be numbered? Probably not entirely, but school districts across the metro are embracing digital communication more than ever.
Inver Grove Heights schools are the latest to offer digital communication options, launching a smartphone application last month.”
by Tom Robertson, Minnesota Public Radio
“DEER RIVER, Minn. — A school district collaborative in northeast Minnesota is using video technology to link classrooms with others in the region. The Itasca Area Schools Collaborative is using a $1 million federal grant to help pay for the distance-learning initiative. Through a technology called telepresence, it creates the illusion that students miles apart are in the same classroom.”
Read More… [2]
“Another top Best Buy Co. Inc. executive has left the troubled retailer.
Dave Deno, chief financial officer of Best Buy’s international division and president of its Asia region, recently joined OSI Restaurant Partners as its executive vice president and CFO, according to a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
OSI is best known as the parent of the Outback Steakhouse chain. Best Buy confirmed Deno’s departure late Friday.”
Read More… [2]
Via News Release
“MINNEAPOLIS/SAINT PAUL, MINN. – May 2, 2012 – GiveMN announced today that it has surpassed $50 million in donations processed through its website, GiveMN.org. Since GiveMN was launched in November 2009, the online fundraising website has processed online donations for more than 6,200 nonprofit organizations. Those donations came from more than 154,000 individuals.”
By Rip Empson, TechCrunch
“With the passage of the JOBS Act, crowdfunding is going to get a whole lot more interesting — and a whole lot more crowded. Now that everyone and their mother can invest in startups, hundreds of crowdfunding portals are starting their engines.
Wahooly happened to jump on the trend early, soft-launching back in September, before the buzz. Well, when we say “early,” Wahooly is by no means a prime mover compared to the likes of Kickstarter, but it still has the advantage of a headstart — if it can capitalize.”
By Ann Treacy, Blandin on Broadband
“The latest Akamai report on global broadband speeds and rankings is out – based on Q4 2011 research. The news isn’t great for the US, it’s even worse for Minnesota.
…The report looks at global ranking and ranking by geography. Minnesota is not listed – not once. In the past we have occasionally ranked. Minnesota Broadband buffs will know that part of the Minnesota Broadband Bill was an aspiration to be a national and world broadband leader.”
It might be educational for the other entrepreneurs in the community to know this isn't YC and the s...
Author: Casey AllenGood for you... congratulations! The Twin Cities is a great place to lead this charge. If you can ...
Author: Darren CoxCongrats, Heroic!
Author: Dana SeversonJustin and team rock.
Author: GraemeThickinsCan you elaborate on that?
Author: Jeff Pesek