Ready to export? Looking to expand to new markets?Found a product you would like to import? Need assistance in developing the best approach to your markets? Need an export plan?

Export and Import Services offered by the Center for Innovation:

• Export Planning
• Market Research of Foreign Markets
• International Student Projects
• International Networking
  
  

International Entrepreneurship

The Center for Innovation is developing an Initiative for International Entrepreneur Outreach and International Trade. Stay tuned for more information!

Norwegian Students at the University of North Dakota Working for Norwegian Companies

Since, 2000 Norwegian Business student teams at the University of North Dakota have conducted five market and industry research projects for Norwegian companies under the guidance of the Center for Innovation.

Utilizing Norwegian students to conduct research for Norwegian companies has proven to be successful in providing Norwegian companies valuable information upon which to make good market, strategic alliance, and distributor decisions. Students have been working at the Center for Innovation while doing the research in an environment with experienced entrepreneur consultants and market researchers. Both students and Norwegian entrepreneurs have rated the experience as excellent. Interested entities should contact the Center for more information.

Center Helps Companies Increase Exports to Canada

Officials from six North Dakota manufacturing companies will travel to Canada Nov. 8 where they plan to expand their export sales by meeting with pre-qualified buyers and distributors and by exhibiting their equipment at a four-day trade show in Red Deer, Alberta.

“Our companies will keep busy schedules meeting with pre-qualified distributors and other potential business partners that can help them further penetrate the Canadian market,” said Justin Schiele, entrepreneurship director at UND’s Center for Innovation and the trip’s lead coordinator.

“These tailored meetings, coupled with the Agri-Trade exhibition - one of Canada’s largest agricultural equipment shows - will provide our companies with great exposure to a very targeted group of consumers and distributors,” Schiele said.

The six North Dakota companies traveling to Canada are:

• Dakota Micro, Cayuga, N.D.
• Schollmeyer Engineering, Inc., Killdeer, N.D.
• Gates Manufacturing, Inc., Lansford, N.D.
• Crary Company, West Fargo, N.D.
• Sund Manufacturing, Inc., Newburg, N.D.
• Equipment Wholesalers, Fargo, N.D.

Canada is by far North Dakota’s largest export market, with nearly half of all the state’s exported manufactured goods and services sold there. North Dakota-made machinery and processed foods are the top exports to Canada. The state’s exports to Canada increased in value from $333 million in 2000 to nearly $638 million last year, the U. S. Department of Commerce reports.

The mini-trade mission to Canada was coordinated by the North Dakota Trade Office, the UND Center for Innovation and the U.S. Commercial Service.

For more information please contact:

Center for Innovation
Ina Mae Rude Entrepreneur Center
The University of North Dakota
4200 James Ray Drive
Grand Forks, ND 58203 USA
Phone: 701.777.3132
Fax: 701.777.2339
info@innovators.net