Wednesday, September 24, 2008

MSCTC-DL is looking for "angels" to grow new business

excerpted by Detroit Lakes Tribune, 9-21-08

The Minnesota State Community and Technical College-Detroit Lakes is looking for investors and innovators to help prospective business owners come up with initial funding. This is part of the college's Business & Entrepreneurial Services program launched last fall.

One way to provide funds is through angel investing, where a group of individuals pool their money to fund new companies.

Unlike venture capital, angel investing deals with much smaller amounts of money to help turn an idea into reality.

Local entrepreneur Ed Gehrke said angel investing is unique because most ventures are expected to fail. By pooling their money together into several businesses, investors hope to find a diamond.

On Oct. 3, the college will present the fourth segment of its Entrepreneurship Speakers Series. The speakers are MBA students from UND who will talk specifically about angel investing.

The series starts at 10 a.m. and lunch will follow. There's no charge and no reservation needed, but is requested.

To RSVP or for more information, call Patty Heath Gordon at (218) 846-3804.

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New free service helps businesses solve problems

excerpted from Alexandria Echo Press, 9-24-08

BusinessConnection--a new business assistance and referral network--is being tested in Alexandria and three other Minnesota cities before launching statewide next year.

Business Connections is a joint project of Grow Minnesota!, a subsidiary of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and DEED.

"Start-up and established businesses continually are seeking information important to their operations, and the answers are not always easy to track down," said Coni McKay, executive director fo the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. "BusinessConnection has tremendous value to get complete answers quickly. It is a one-stop resource. And the service is free to anyone."

Business Connection is currently open to all area businesses and can be reached toll-free by calling 1-888-MINN-BIZ (646-6249). In January, the operation will also be available via the Web site: http://www.mnbizconnect.com/.

Read entire article.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Lakes Technology Group to open in Battle Lake

excerpted from Battle Lake Review, 9-17-08

Lakes Technology Group will open its new headquarters and retail center in downtown Battle Lake in October. It will serve west central Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, offering computer and software products and accessories, networking, home theater, home audio and repair service.

Owners Jim and Jan Eitzen live on nearby Clitherall Lake. They worked closely with the Lakes Area Development Association (LADA: http://www.lakesareadevelopment.org/) while making plans for their new company.

" This is the kind of green industry we need," said LADA President Shawn Frank. "Lakes Technology Group is a year-round business, creates jobs here and brings revenue into the community from outside the area."

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