Important information for MN inventors:
Click on the link below to read the statute authorized by the Minnesota Legislature addressing invention promotion companies operating in the state of Minnesota:
325A Minnesota Invention Services Act.doc
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The Minnesota Trade Office has funds available to help eligible small businesses begin exporting or increase their exports, through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Eligible small businesses may apply for reimbursement of up to $5000 for certain export development activities, such as:
- Mission fees for participation in foreign trade missions
- Space rental for trade show exhibitions
- Services offered by the U.S. Commercial Service such as Gold Key Service
- Design of international marketing products or campaigns
- Translation of websites into foreign languages
More information can be found at: http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Business/Exporting_Trade/STEP_Export_Assistance_for_Small_Business/index.aspx
Funds are limited, and activities must be completed by September 1, 2012. For questions, please contact Jennifer Kocs at 651-259-7488, or Jennifer.Kocs@state.mn.us.
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Learn How We Work as an Invaluable Resource for Investors and Emerging Companies
Minnesota Angel Network
New access to start-up funds and high-quality deal flow via MNAN
Entrepreneurial companies and angel investors have a new and unique way to connect through the Minnesota Angel Network (MNAN). For high-tech and knowledge-based start-ups, MNAN provides customized counsel on fundraising and strategic planning. MNAN’s teams of experts–experienced investors, entrepreneurial CEOs, and senior legal and accounting professionals–engage entrepreneurs in interviews that mirror the rigorous questioning done by angel investors, and then give them guidance about how to improve their businesses. Designed to take 60 to 90 days, the program moves as quickly as start-ups can act on the team’s counsel and earn MNAN’s certification.
For accredited investors, MNAN provides access to deal flow with companies that have met the high standards required to acheive Minnesota Angel Network’s certification, many of which also meet the requirements of Minnesota’s new Angel Investor Tax Credit. MNAN reviews diligence documents before introducing companies to the network, saving time and effort for its investor members. Investors use a secure online portal to confidentially review vital documents from these carefully screened companies, which are each looking to raise $50,000 to $4.5 million.
Here’s what members are saying about why they value the Minnesota Angel Network:
“The Minnesota Angel Network is helping to build out the business infrastructure and climate needed to develop new businesses in Minnesota. MNAN has provided our company with access to people whose experience and expertise have allowed us to sharpen our strategies and business plan. In addition, the introductions we are getting as a result of being associated with the network are proving to be invaluable in our angel round and beyond. Before joining MNAN, we had funded our company with a total of $220K provided by founders and board members. Now, with commitments of $300K from MNAN’s strategic partners, we stand at just past the halfway mark, with $380K toward our $750K angel-round goal.”
- CEO, new software company
“Minnesota’s ability to compete in a global market and grow local jobs absolutely depends on an efficient and effective capital system. The Minnesota Angel Network is a key component to that system and will be instrumental in helping Minnesota and its entrepreneurs find the money and other resources they need to excel. Fredrikson & Byron is honored to be a part of the Minnesota Angel Network as a Preferred Service Provider and passionate advocate for Minnesota’s entrepreneurs.”
- Todd Taylor, Fredrikson & Byron
Minnesota Angel Network has had an outstanding show of support from Minnesota’s business and investment community so far. Thank you for your involvement and support! And be sure to forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who may be interested in joining this effort to accelerate the growth of emerging companies in Minnesota.
Interested in Minnesota start-up company headlines? Wendy Lee’s blog on startribune.com is a great place to find the latest happenings within Minnesota’s startup community.
Looking to stay informed on global business and financial news? Bloomberg News is a great source for the latest world political, business, and financial reports.
Interested in news tailored to private angel investors? Angel Investor News provides the latest in investment, finance, and funding from an investor and entrepreneur’s viewpoint.
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612-353-9669
7:00 PM, November 15, 2011
A Successful Inventor’s Story – Lessons Learned
The inventor of the “Spiral Eye (R) Needle “, Pam Turner, will discuss the struggles and lessons she learned in bringing her invention to market. Coming up with the idea is the easy part of inventing, getting it to market is the real challenge, I will also cover the various ways of marketing and the basics of sales for inventors.
Speaker: Pam Turner
Pam’s Spiral Eye(R) Needles are now available for sale at Hobby Lobby stores, Nancy’s Notions, Herschners, and at her website.
As seen on Discovery Channel show, Pitchmen, Pam’s patent has been licensed to Telebrands (the As Seen On TV company) and their version of her needle is sold in 17 countries in all venues under the name “The One Second Needle”.
Learn more at her web site: http://www.spiraleyeneedles.com
Inventor’s Network
Place: Dunwoody College of Technology
Holden Center Meeting Room
818 Dunwoody Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Date: November 15, 2011
Time: Networking 5:30 – 7:00PM
Speaker 7:00PM
Doors open for registration:5:00PM
Fee: Non-members $15.00
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Governor Mark Dayton invites you to join him at The Governor’s Job Summit.Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel, St. Paul.
8 am – 5 pm, networking reception following from 5 – 7 pm.The Governor’s Job Summit is the capstone to Governor Dayton’s statewide tour of regional forums on Minnesota’s economy.Leaders from across the state will come together to participate in important discussions, generate new ideas, learn useful information and unify around a vision and plan for our state’s economy. We will focus on how to position Minnesota as a competitive leader in the global economy and how to build a strong future for our state.Attendees can look forward to:
- Hearing Governor Dayton’s remarks on the priorities for Minnesota’s economy
- Panel discussion on what is needed to make Minnesota more globally competitive
- Breakout working sessions covering timely issues/topics
- Keynote presentation from Michael Mandelbaum, co-author of Thomas Friedman’s new book, “That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back” (book released September 5, 2011).
Register now at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com/summit
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Minnesota Trade Office
| Upcoming Events for February 28 – September 13, 2012 |
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| Wed Feb 29 |
1:00 pm |
Medical Trade Mission to India (Cities included in this Mission to India: Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad.) | |
|
5:00 pm |
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MN Business Development Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – April 1-4,… (Cities: Dammam and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.) | ||
| Thu Mar 1 |
9:00 am |
2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum (Campuses of Augsburg College & University of Minnesota-Minneapolis.) | |
| Fri Mar 2 |
10:00 am |
Medical Fair India – CATALOG OPTION (Mumbai, India) | |
| Tue Mar 6 |
8:00 am |
The Signs of International Business Fraud Scams and Deceit (MTO’s St. Cloud Satellite Office, SCSU’s Welcome Center, 355 – 5th Ave. S., St. Cloud, MN 56301) | |
| Wed Mar 7 |
7:50 am |
China Law-the A.B.C.s – UCBC’s Monthly Meeting New! (Dunwoody College of Technology, 818 Dunwoody Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55403) | |
| Thu Mar 8 |
8:30 am |
Export 102: Best Practices & Application: EAR & ITAR Regs New! (CH Robinson International, Inc., 14800 Charlson Rd., Minneapolis-St. Paul Rm., Eden Prairie, MN…) | |
| Tue Mar 13 |
1:00 pm |
MDA: India Market Consulting Event (Minnesota Department of Agriculture offices, For more info. or to register, contact Christina…) | |
| Wed Mar 14 |
9:00 am |
Finding and Motivating the Right Foreign Business Partner (DEED Conference Center – St. Paul, 1st National Bank Bldg., 332 Minnesota St.-Ste E200, St. Paul, MN…) | |
| Thu Mar 15 |
8:00 am |
APPLICATION DEADLINE for Governor Dayton’s Trade Mission to China New! (To apply, submit an application to the Minnesota Trade Office by March 15, 2012. Apply through the…) | |
| Sat Mar 17 |
5:00 pm |
Connect India 2012 – IAM’s Annual Dinner & Program (Crowne Plaza, 3 Appletree Square; 1-494 & 34th Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55425) | |
| Thu Mar 22 |
10:30 am |
Export 101 Seminar and Trade Award Luncheon Updated! (Windows on Minnesota, 50th Fl., IDS Center – 80 S. 8th St., Minneapolis, MN 55402) | |
| Wed Mar 28 |
1:00 pm |
Cultural Collaboration™ Workshop New! (Carlson School of Management, 321 – 19th Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN 55455) | |
| Sun Apr 1 |
7:00 am |
Minnesota Business Development Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – April 1-4 (Dammam and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) | |
| Tue Apr 17 |
8:00 am |
South America Trade Forum 2012 New! (DEED Conference Center – Minnesota Rm., 1st National Bank Bldg; 332 Minnesota St-Ste E200; St. Paul,…) | |
| Thu Apr 19 |
3:30 pm |
Hendrickson Institute Forum 2012: Why Wikipedia Matters New! (Saint Mary’s University Event Center, 2540 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404) | |
| Tue Apr 24 |
8:30 am |
NAFTA: Completing the Certificate of Origin (DEED Conference Center, 332 Minnesota Street, E200 Skyway Level, St. Paul MN 55101) | |
| Thu May 3 |
10:30 am |
Minnesota Water Technology Export Roundtable (DeZURIK, 250 Riverside Ave. No., Sartell, MN 56377) | |
| Fri Jun 8 |
8:00 am |
TRADE MISSION TO CHINA WITH GOVERNOR DAYTON New! (China: Shanghai, Beijing and Xi’an) | |
| Wed Jun 13 |
8:00 am |
June 2012 Mission to Intersolar (Trade Show) (Munich, Germany – The world’s largest exhibition for the solar industry.) | |
| Fri Jun 15 |
4:00 pm |
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MN Smart Grid Trade Mission to Canada in Sept. 10-13, 2012 (City: Toronto Ontario, Canada) | |
| Mon Sep 10 |
8:00 am |
Minnesota Smart Grid Trade Mission to Canada – September 10-13, 2012 (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA) | |
Tip: Click to add an event to your Yahoo!, Microsoft Outlook, MSN Hotmail, Apple iCal, or Google calendar.
View the entire calendar online
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Focus groups
If you would like constructive input about your invention, you may be given an opportunity to present your invention to the entire group during the meeting (covered by a NDA) without losing patent rights. (Contact Todd 952-451-1348 to schedule).
Greater Minnesota Resource and Procurement Fair
October 13, 2011
Jackpot Junction Casino
Morton, Minnesota
A Premier Event on Selling Your Products/Services to the Government and Resources to Start and Grow Your Business!
Hosted by: Lower Sioux Indian Community &
Jackpot Junction Casino
Schedule:
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Welcome – Tatanka Ballroom
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Trade Fair and Workshops
Small businesses interested in starting a business, growing a business, or doing business with government agencies and prime contractors should attend! There will be a trade show throughout the day, along with a variety of workshops including Starting a Small Business, Selling to the Government, Social Networking and Certifications. Native-owned, veteran-owned and woman-owned small businesses can learn about special programs designed to provide better access to the government marketplace.
