MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2011

Contact:
Jesse Bradley, 701/328-5300
E-mail: jhbradley@nd.gov

Brandi Schoenberg, 701/328-5373
E-mail: bschoenberg@nd.gov

6th ANNUAL INNOVATE ND OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT
Participants get a chance to win one of five $15,000 prizes

Gov. Jack Dalrymple, North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson and a statewide network of partners kicked off the 6th Annual Innovate ND competition today in conjunction with the Governor’s Workforce Summit in Minot, highlighting the addition of five categories of competition that participants are eligible to enroll in.

The 2012 Industry Specific Categories include:

• Value-added agriculture/advanced manufacturing
• Energy/technology-based businesses
• Retail based businesses
• Women, minorities and rural entrepreneurs
• Youth entrepreneurs (Ages 14-24)

Innovate ND is a statewide initiative designed to help entrepreneurs turn innovative concepts into viable new North Dakota business ventures. For a $250 registration, participants get access to a proven venture-building process and a chance to win one of five $15,000 prizes.

“North Dakota’s economy continues to grow and we have a very positive business climate for start-ups,” Dalrymple said. “The Innovate ND program has been instrumental in the development of more than 125 businesses. We invite anyone with a business idea to take advantage of this initiative to help turn ideas into a viable new business in North Dakota.”

Registration is available online at www.InnovateND.com through Nov. 14. The program includes online entrepreneur education, business planning tools and coaching and mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and proven business owners.

The top 20 entries will get the chance to pitch their business idea to a panel of potential investors. Up to five $15,000 cash prizes will be awarded as well as a wide variety of business services and potential seed capital investments to launch their businesses. Prizes will also be awarded in each of the five competition categories. Prizes and winners are determined by the private-sector sponsor of each category and the winner does not need to be a top 20 entry.

“This has been a very successful initiative that grows every year in its ability to reach people throughout the state who have business ideas,” Anderson said. “Growing our state from within is one of the most effective strategies and Innovate ND has proven over the last six years to be great program for helping people get businesses off to a good start.”

Evan Anderson of Bismarck was one of last year’s winners. His business,Talon by Safe Pursuit, LLC. of Bismarck was one of last year’s winners. His business enables law enforcement officers to quickly and safely bring fleeing vehicles to a stop by securely grabs the back of the fleeing vehicle the moment contact is made with its bumper.

“Innovate ND puts you in touch with all the right networks in the state for expert advice and support to begin developing your business,” Evan Anderson said. “Innovate ND provides strong content and the motivation that the process provides to really think about your business and create a strong plan.

Another 2011 top 20 finalists, Ian Ridenhour, also participated in the announcement to discuss their business start ups and how Innovate ND helped get them going. 

Ridenhour’s Animal Attack is a trading card game created and operated by the 10-year-old Bismarck student. The game teaches math and science while at the same time reflecting animal life in the wild. It is a unique teaching tool for elementary classrooms, and is designed specifically for grade school children. Aside from simply playing the game, the cards can also be traded to add another element of excitement for students.

Nearly 600 participants and 400 teams have enrolled in the competition since 2006. Last year, 109 participants submitted 58 ideas.

The program is organized by the North Dakota Department of Commerce, the UND Center for Innovation and the NDSU Research and Technology Park.

Forum Communications is the lead sponsor. Partner programs include DSU Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Southern Valley Innovation Center in Wahpeton, IDEA Center in Bismarck, Bismarck State College Office of Innovation,  and Minot State University, Severson Entrepreneurship Academy.

Other committed sponsors for 2012 include Great River Energy, First Western Bank and Trust - Minot, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Solarbee, Agency MABU, ND Society of Certified Public Accountants, National Information Solution Cooperative (NISC) and MAC, Inc.
###