TECHdotMN: News about Minnesota Startups

By Peter Lindstrom, via Finance and Commerce

“Have you ever heard your business described as the “best-kept secret in town?” Plenty of organizations of all sizes use exactly those words when referring to the good works their organizations and products perform. For some, it has become a mantra.

For whatever reasons, Minnesotans have a tendency to undersell ourselves. We’re too proud or too humble, too understaffed or too overwhelmed by day-to-day survival to promote our organization’s true value.”

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By Peter Lindstrom, via Finance and Commerce

“In today’s political, social and business landscape, nearly every issue has a technology component at its core: Health care, energy, homeland security and climate change immediately come to mind. When the decisions are being made, it is imperative for technology companies to be at the table.

The 350 corporate members of MHTA are fortunate to be aligned with two organizations that are fighting on their behalf in our nation’s Capitol — TechAmerica and TECNA (Technology Councils of North America).”

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By Arundhati Parmar, Finance and Commerce

“A provider of card-payment systems for the health-care industry has raised $1.55 million, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

mPay Gateway Inc., based in Minneapolis, raised the money from eight investors, according to the filing. Two previous investors also invested in this round — Los Angeles-based GRP Partners and Denver-based Appian Ventures.”

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By Scott Carlson, Finance and Commerce

“Nibi Software Group Inc. is employing Apple’s hot techie products to move its business in a new direction.

The Stillwater-based provider of online educational content said this week that it has released a $1.99 iPad and iPhone application, offering full access to more than 200 Youtube channels, as well as Wikipedia.”

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By Anna Pratt Special to Finance & Commerce

“Joseph Rueter’s answer to the “tsunami of information,” which he says has become a part of the human condition, particularly in regards to the Internet, is the Curation Station. Rueter bills the Web-based tech tool he created as “the most flexible digital content curation tool available.””

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Other Minnesota Tech “movers” we’ve identified include:

ARAnet President Scott Severson [Scott Severson on the move]

Reeher Founder and President Andrew Reeher [Andrew Reeher on the move]

ID Insight Founder and President Adam Elliott [Adam Elliot on the move]

Wade Gerten from Alvenda

Mat Johnson from GeaCom

Steve Nielson from PartnerUp

Troy Peterson from Nibi Software

Zach Steven from Monkey Island

Anyone missing?

by Kate Rubin, MHTA President, via Finance and Commerce

“The 2010 legislative session, while not complete, has already resulted in a great deal of progress for Minnesota’s technology-based economy, and the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) is proud to be at the table helping make it happen alongside a cadre of state government leaders.

For instance:”

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By Scott Carlson, Finance and Commerce

“Minneapolis-based Lighthouse1, an industry leader in consumer-driven health care administration software solutions, announced Thursday that it is partnering with Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) and Surency Life & Health Insurance Company to deliver Web-based health care solutions to their existing consumers nationwide.”

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By Arundhati Parmar, Finance and Commerce

“Call it “password fatigue.” For many of us, remembering multiple passwords is an annoying fact of 21st century life.  Now, a local company says it has the cure.

Chanhassen-based software company Indigo Identityware makes software, used in conjunction with biometric readers, that identifies people with a simple fingerprint, providing instant access to multiple applications. According to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Indigo Identityware raised $1.25 million earlier this year. The company is trying to raise more money now, but President and CEO Thomas Rheineck declined to say how much.”

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By Arundhati Parmar, Finance and Commerce

“…St. Paul-based RAIN Source Capital, a multistate angel network group, is finalizing a partnership with a Utah company that focuses on matching entrepreneurs with investors and lenders.

Through the revenue and expense sharing agreement, RAIN Source principals will manage the Twin Cities office of South Jordan, Utah-based Funding Universe, which hosts free events and provide services to help entrepreneurs get access to capital. Funding Universe, in turn will manage the new RAIN angel fund that RAIN Source Capital is setting up in Utah. Funding Universe is investing $100,000 to become a member in the fund. RAIN Source plans to raise a minimum of $1 million in the next couple of months for that fund.”

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By Mark Anderson, Finance and Commerce

“A United Kingdom subsidiary of Bloomington-based Ceridian Corp. acquired a long-time U.K. partner last week, adding new tools to its human resources and benefits platform.

Reading-based Ceridian U.K. bought Intellinet, which provides workforce-management software and procedures products to retail and manufacturing businesses in the U.K. and Ireland. Ceridian U.K. has provided its human resources services and payroll solutions alongside Intellinet’s products since 2003.”

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