As we gear up for LAUNCH on April 29th, we’re excited to highlight one of our Runway participants: Anakin Bosek, a mechanical engineering student at the University of North Dakota and the founder of Bosek Industries.
Bosek Industries brings together Anakin’s technical background and passion for motorsports to serve a niche but passionate market. His goal is to provide racing teams and enthusiasts with the engineering insight and marketing strategies they need to compete at higher levels and grow their presence in the sport.
“My biggest challenge when developing the startup was shifting from an engineering mindset into a business mindset,” he explained in a recent interview.
Transition was one of the many key lessons he learned during his time in the Runway accelerator. The early phase of the program, in particular, played a pivotal role in shaping his approach, “One of the moments that stood out to me was during the first initial pre-accelerator phase, where we did a lot of customer discovery,” he recalls.
“I kind of learned how close knit of an industry it is and how my business can navigate and find its place within it.”
For Anakin, the value of Runway extended beyond business planning. The relationships he built during the program left a lasting impression.
“The connections that I was able to establish while being part of Runway are going to be lifetime connections that help me, not only in my startup business, but also in all areas of my life.” As Anakin prepares to pitch at LAUNCH, his passion, technical expertise, and drive to learn are setting him up to make an impact, not just in motorsports, but in the broader world of engineering and innovation.
Thanks in part to funding by UND’s Center for Innovation, CareerViewXR will develop virtual-reality experiences to introduce students to autonomous-systems careers
In this UND archival photo, students hone their flying skills in the Virtual Reality Lab in the University’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.
GRAND FORKS – The University of North Dakota Center for Innovation has awarded funding to CareerViewX to develop an autonomous career library using virtual reality. This initiative aims to strengthen North Dakota’s talent pipeline by providing immersive career exploration opportunities within the state’s growing autonomous systems industry.
“Authentic career awareness is one of the most powerful tools we have to connect student potential with real-world industry needs,” said Karen Berntson, chief operating officer at CareerViewXR. “When students can virtually step into high-demand workplaces — especially in cutting-edge fields such as autonomous systems — they begin to see themselves in those roles. That shift builds not only clarity and purpose, but also confidence.
“Our partnership with the UND Center for Innovation is more than just about sparking interest. It’s about creating a stronger, more informed talent pipeline for North Dakota’s high-tech, high-opportunity industries.”
Funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s University Center program, the project will create an interactive, web-based career platform featuring VR experiences. These virtual career tours will let students, job seekers and entrepreneurs engage with industry opportunities in a fully immersive environment, offering a firsthand look at key roles within the autonomous sector.
Over the next three years, CareerViewXR will produce 11 unique, 360-degree VR career experience videos showcasing North Dakota’s autonomous systems industry. Each video will provide an in-depth perspective on various career paths, enabling users to explore industry roles and connect with potential employers in a dynamic, interactive way.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2028.
“The Center for Innovation is looking forward to partnering with CareerViewXR to help bridge an outreach gap between emerging industries and the workforce of tomorrow,” said Amy Whitney, the center’s director.
About The University of North Dakota Center for Innovation
The mission of the Center for Innovation is to advance the creation and development of innovative ideas, services and businesses. The UND Center for Innovation focuses on commercialization of new ventures, operates an entrepreneurial incubator that provides space for innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers, and helps founders secure access to capital to ultimately encourage economic development in the state of North Dakota and the Northern Plains.
About CareerViewXR
CareerViewXR is an immersive career exploration platform that brings field trips to the classroom through 360-degree web-based tours and companion virtual reality videos. Students and adult job seekers alike can explore engaging tours highlighting in-demand industries such as skilled trades, health care, energy and more. Best of all, VR headsets are completely optional; the content is accessible on devices you already own – including laptops, cell phones, and tablets. Explore more at careerviewxr.com.
Summer interns are invited to apply for an immersive program to explore the Grand Forks region as a cooler place to work, live, and play
Thirty-three interns representing 21 employers took part in the 2024 InternGF Summer Cohort Series; the group is shown here at their graduation ceremony in August. Before the summer program, just over half of the students said they could see themselves staying in Grand Forks permanently; after the program, 77% said they could see themselves doing so. Photo courtesy of Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp.
This free program invites college students interning at companies in the Grand Forks area to connect with fellow interns, build relationships with young professionals and discover the vibrant culture of the region. Funded by a grant from the Knight Foundation’s Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region, along with support from the UND Center for Innovation, the series aims to help students envision a future in Greater Grand Forks.
“Our partnership with the EDC has been instrumental in connecting students with regional startups and employers,” said Amy Whitney, director of the UND Center for Innovation. “The InternGF Summer Cohort Program builds on this foundation, offering students a deeper, more immersive understanding of life and opportunities in Grand Forks.”
The series is structured into six sessions that will be held biweekly through the summer of 2025. Through this experience, interns will explore Grand Forks and have a firsthand look into the region’s workforce, primary sector industries and assets that contribute to an excellent quality of life.
Participants also will tour prominent regional companies and network with local leadership, peers and industry leaders.
Each session is designed to introduce interns to experiences they may not have otherwise encountered and help them become more connected to the community. Aside from industry tours, session experiences will include downtown walking tours, a volunteering day alongside the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, art classes and sports and recreation activities.
“Helping connect students to the Grand Forks community while they are here for college is paramount to increasing retention rates,” said EDC Director of Workforce Development Becca Cruger. “We want them to stay in the region after graduation, and creating a network of students who know about our local employers and have experienced the great things Grand Forks has to offer will help as they make career choices after college.”
Employers are encouraged to have interested summer interns fill out the registration form provided on the grandforks.org/interngf-summer website. Registration is open now and will close on May 15.
The InternGF program, under the EDC and UND Center for Innovation, seeks to boost the availability of local internships by providing companies with up to $3,500 to offset the cost of an intern’s salary. This cohort series is separate from the InternGF funding program, and participants do not have to have received InternGF funding to be eligible for the summer cohort series.
The mission of the Center for Innovation is to advance the creation and development of innovative ideas, services, and businesses. The UND Center for Innovation focuses on commercialization of new ventures, operates an entrepreneurial incubator that provides space for innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers, and helps founders secure access to capital to ultimately encourage economic development in the state of North Dakota and the Northern Plains.
About the UND Experiential Learning Center
The UND Experiential Learning Center (ELC) is a location for students to learn about all of the work integrated learning opportunities available to them. These opportunities will prepare students for current and emerging careers. ELC works to foster a welcoming and inclusive university community on-campus and online so all learners have the opportunity and support to realize their full potential.
About Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation
The Grand Forks Region EDC works collaboratively to foster an environment that attracts innovative people and business investment to Grand Forks County and the surrounding region, enhancing economic vitality for long-term prosperity and growth.
Contact Information
Becca Cruger, director of Workforce Development Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation [email protected] | O: 701.738.0009 | C: 701.739.9895
Join us on April 29, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM at the UND Memorial Union for LAUNCH, a high-energy demo day where startups showcase their products and progress to investors, mentors, and industry experts. Experience dynamic pitches, live demos, networking over appetizers, and connect with a vibrant mix of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Whether discovering the next big idea or making valuable connections, LAUNCH is a spark for innovation and growth. Don’t miss the chance to witness the future of startups in action!
Come and celebrate the Grand Forks region’s entrepreneurs on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at the Grand Awards!
The Grand Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating local entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to our community.
Hosted by Evolve GF and the Grand Forks Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, this event showcases the innovation, resilience, and success defining our business landscape. From groundbreaking startups to established businesses, we’re committed to recognizing outstanding achievements that make our community grand.
Come together with business leaders, community supporters, and entrepreneurs for an inspiring evening honoring those shaping the future of business in our community.
Adrian serves as our Process Improvement Specialist at CFI. Whether he’s managing events, helping members and guests, or brainstorming with the team, he’s always on the go. His contributions are vital to the smooth operation of CFI, and we’re incredibly grateful to have him on board! Read on to learn more about Adrian!
Adrian Luevano
1. What do you typically do during a day at work?
On a typical day at work, I help manage events in our meeting rooms, assist with creating policies and processes, and help visitors at the Center for Innovation.
2. What college did you attend and what was your major?
I studied International Relations at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, Mexico, and after that, I earned my Master’s degree in Prospective and Strategic Studies at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
3. What is your favorite book or movie?
My favorite book I would say is Cloud Atlas
4. If you could drop everything and go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
My favorite city is Kyoto, but right now I would love to go to the beach.
5. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
My favorite thing to do in my free time is spend time with my wife and play with my dog.
6. What is your favorite part of living in Grand Forks?
My favorite part of living in Grand Forks is that it has the best of both worlds – it has the advantages of a big city, like having plenty to do, but also the perks of a small town, like no traffic, low pollution, and a really peaceful atmosphere.
7. What is your favorite part about working at CFI?
My favorite part about working at CFI is the positive and supportive work environment. I really enjoy how everyone is always willing to collaborate and help each other.
47% of 2018-19 participants have stayed in Grand Forks region, InternGF officials say
Becca Cruger (left), workforce development director for the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp., and Amy Whitney, director of UND’s Center for Innovation, welcome attendees at the Feb. 21 launch of the 2025 InternGF program. The program was held at the Center for Innovation on the UND campus. Photo by Mark Maliskey, Marketing & Communications manager, Grand Forks Region EDC.
The UND Center for Innovation and Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation hosted the 2025 launch of InternGF on Feb. 21, marking the program’s second annual kickoff event.
At the event, attendees reflected on six years of growth since the program’s inception in 2018, calling attention to key milestones in workforce development. Employers and former interns shared firsthand experiences, showcasing the program’s lasting impact on students, businesses and the regional economy.
Local employers, high-wage careers
The InternGF partnership between the Center for Innovation and the Grand Forks EDC began when both organizations recognized a need to help the region’s recruitment and retention efforts. The organizations came together and designed InternGF to introduce UND students to high-wage, unique and in-demand careers with local employers in the Grand Forks region.
The program funds up to $3,500 per internship for selected employers, with the focus being on start-ups and Grand Forks EDC members.
Center for Innovation Director Amy Whitney and Grand Forks EDC Workforce Development Director Becca Cruger opened the event with a look at InternGF’s impact over the past six years, highlighting its role in strengthening the regional workforce and creating new opportunities for students and employers.
At the second annual InternGF kickoff event on Feb. 21, participants learned more about the program and its success at serving students, businesses and the regional economy. Photo by Mark Maliskey, Marketing & Communications manager, Grand Forks Region EDC.
148 internships since 2018
A key element of their presentation was the program’s significant wage impact on the Grand Forks region. Since its launch in 2018, InternGF has funded more than 148 internships, providing $268,000 in reimbursements to participating companies — contributing to a total regional wage impact exceeding $500,000.
The InternGF program has not only made a significant impact on the region’s economy, but it has also enriched UND students’ experiences and shaped their futures. Gracie Lian, a UND alum who participated in the program during the summer of 2019 as an administration intern for Grand Forks County, shared how her mentorship experience influenced her career path:
“I found my internship during my sophomore year while searching for opportunities in the nonprofit public sector,” Lian said. “Through that experience, I learned about UND’s Master’s in Public Administration degree program and applied during my junior year.
“Once accepted, the skills and insights I gained from my summer internship played a key role in helping me succeed throughout the program.”
Lian has continued her work with Grand Forks County, now serving as a project coordinator, fully embracing her passion for nonprofit work. Building on the foundation her internship provided, she continues to make a lasting impact in the community — just as many of her peers have.
In fact, 47% of participants from Lian’s 2018-19 InternGF cohort have remained in the Grand Forks region, living and working where their careers first began.
Gracie Lian (center), UND ’21, a project coordinator with Grand Forks County and a panelist at InternGF’s recent 2025 launch event, talks about her previous experience as an InternGF participant. Photo by Mark Maliskey, Marketing & Communications manager, Grand Forks Region EDC.
Six years of strong connections
InternGF creates unique local internship opportunities, allowing students to find positions aligned with their interests without having to look elsewhere.
Consider Aethero, a UAS and AI technology startup that focuses on analyzing building infrastructure and collecting critical data on structural health. Having support for interns has increased their success in identifying UAS drone pilots and technical talent, as highlighted at the event by Karthik Balaji, head of Technology and Product Development at Aethero and a UND alum.
“InternGF was one of the crucial programs that helped support us through powering the research and development phase into our commercialization,” Balaji said.
To conclude the event, Chelsea Mellenthin, director of Career Engagement at UND’s Experiential Learning Center, and Kate Larson, assistant director of Experiential Learning, encouraged employers to expand internship and mentorship opportunities for UND students, highlighting the importance of increasing opportunities for international students as well.
InternGF continues to forge strong connections between UND students and the expanding regional job market, boosting both the local economy and students’ career prospects in the Grand Forks region.
The program’s evolution and impact on participants such as Gracie Lian and innovative companies such as Aethero show InternGF’s capacity to introduce and retain talent in the region, speakers said at the Feb. 21 event. By creating a symbiotic relationship between academic talent and local businesses, InternGF has established itself as a pipeline for student achievement and regional economic development.
Project’s goals: Boost industry growth and technological advancements by developing statewide UAS commercialization strategy
A UND Research Institute of Autonomous Systems UAV is used to inspect a field. UND archival image.
GRAND FORKS, N.D., Feb. 28 — The University of North Dakota Center for Innovation is proud to announce three $50,000 awards — one to each of three companies, for $150,000 in total — for Project RuralReach, an initiative designed to harness unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology to revolutionize rural living, enhance economic resilience and support rural communities across North Dakota.
This exciting project is funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) — ARPA Economic Adjustment Assistance Program.
Project RuralReach will develop a statewide UAS commercialization strategy and economic impact study to enable further industry growth and technological advancements. The initiative will focus on three key areas through the completion of these use case tests:
• Rural Delivery–iSight, RPV Services has been chosen to complete the rural delivery and supply chain logistics use case in the Western Region of the state. The use case will test and gather data to allow for examination of infrastructure, technology and workforce needs to enable increased access to essential goods.
· Sustainable Power– The team of Botlink, Dunlevy Consulting, and Utah State University AggieAir, have been chosen to complete a project exploring sustainable power opportunities and conditions to extend the operational range of autonomous vehicles. This use case test will be completed in the Southeast region of North Dakota.
· Emergency Response –Censys Technologies has been chosen to complete a project focused on testing and examination of resources, technology and infrastructure needs to deploy UAS for disaster response, real-time situational awareness, and resource mobilization in crisis scenarios. This use case test will be completed in the Northeast region of North Dakota.
With vendors now in place, Project RuralReach is entering the implementation phase, with initial flight testing and operational trials scheduled to begin in the coming months. Ongoing updates on progress, industry partnerships, and public engagement opportunities will be shared.
About The UND Center for Innovation
The mission of the Center for Innovation is to advance the creation and development of innovative ideas, services, and businesses. The UND Center for Innovation focuses on commercialization of new ventures, operates an entrepreneurial incubator that provides space for innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers, and helps founders secure access to capital to ultimately encourage economic development in the state of North Dakota and the Northern Plains.
Media Contact:
Haylee Bjork, Marketing Outreach Coordinator Organization: UND Center for Innovation
The CES (Consumer Electronic Show) 2025 in Las Vegas is more than a technology conference; it offers a preview of the future. With over 140,000 attendees, more than 4,500 exhibitors, and a sprawling 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space, CES is the place to explore cutting-edge innovations across various industries.
This year, three employees of the UND Center for Innovation (Anthony Maher, Travis Fretheim, and Kevin Lunke) had the invaluable opportunity to attend and explore emerging trends, forge new connections, and discover innovations that could shape the future of North Dakota’s tech ecosystem.
“The biggest media splash was made by Delta Airlines at the Sphere… to announce partnerships with YouTube and Uber, the goal of seamless personalized travel, and importantly, to highlight their rollout and partnership on eVTOL with Joby Aviation.”
Another major revelation came from Nvidia, which had a huge impact with its announcements. Anthony explained, “On Day 1, Nvidia… made the biggest announcement of the show. Extremely powerful personal computers for researchers, collaboration with Toyota to develop autonomous vehicles, work to enable humanoid robots, the world’s first AI foundation model and AI agents, which they hope to enable much of this.” It was clear that AI and autonomous technology were among the key themes of CES 2025.
Travis, CFI’s Technology Director, attended CES with a specific goal, “I went to CES to seek out companies that could benefit from the North Dakota ecosystem,” he said. “I was hoping to learn more about emerging industries and new technologies.”
One area that particularly stood out to him was autonomous vehicles and AI, which were recurring themes throughout the conference. Travis was also impressed by AARP’s booth, “Inside their booth, they had smaller companies… showcasing how the smaller companies’ solutions/services help solve different health issues.”
Kevin, CFI’s Commercialization Specialist, was equally impressed by the diverse range of technologies on display. “CES 2025 is one of the largest conferences in the country with over 140,000 attendees and 4500+ exhibitors. Our goal was to gain insights into the emerging technologies from various industries as well as showcasing UND and North Dakota as a potential opportunity to grow their business,” he said. He was particularly struck by innovations like Withings’ Omnia, a full-length smart mirror providing a health assessment, and Captify’s smart glasses that can translate speech between 40 languages.
For all three, CES 2025 was an overwhelming but fascinating experience. As Travis summed it up: “CES is like nothing I have been to before… It has companies that are small in size to huge companies. The booths vary in size… It really is amazing.” Kevin echoed this sentiment, describing the experience in one word: “Futuristic.” “It’s by far the largest conference we attended and had a huge global presence,” he said.
CES highlighted several key trends that will likely keep shaping industries in the future. These included AI, digital health, mobility/transportation, and sustainability. “It will be fascinating to watch how these trends and technologies are integrated into our everyday lives.”, Kevin observed.
Looking ahead, the team left CES with a wealth of knowledge, connections, and inspiration. CES 2025 was a reminder of just how much innovation is happening worldwide, and how North Dakota is prepared to play an important role in this exciting future. The team is more motivated than ever to continue fostering connections and exploring opportunities that will bring these technologies to life in North Dakota.
