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.
In-Person Federal Funding Workshop Opportunity at Emerging Praire in The Study
February 12th, 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Event Description
Explore the fundamentals of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, with a special focus on fostering university collaborations. Learn how partnering with academic institutions can enhance your project’s innovation potential and increase your chances of securing federal funding. This session is ideal for small businesses and university researchers aiming to leverage combined resources for successful research and development initiatives.
Details
Date & Time: February 12th, 2025 | 9:45 am – 10:45 am after the UND Takeover StartUp Brew
Start your Friday off right at the UND Center for Innovation!
Join us for Coffee and Connections on the first Friday of every month from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at the UND Center for Innovation! This informal gathering is the perfect opportunity for CFI members & partners to enjoy a cup of coffee, donuts, connect with fellow innovators, and start their day inspired!
Event Details
Date & Time: Every first Friday of the month | 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Location: UND Center for Innovation Lobby, 4200 James Ray Dr Grand Forks, ND 58202
Amanda Voigt, Sona Lesmeister, and Becca Crueger presenting at the GCEC Conference (2024).
Last week, two members of our CFI staff attended the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) Conference in Boston. This year, the GCEC community, which includes representatives from approximately 300 schools, gathered at Babson College to share innovative ideas, expand their networks, and engage in sessions aligned with the conference theme: Simplify, Scale, Sustain
Amanda Voight and Sona Lesmeister had the privilege of presenting our InternGF program during the conference, along with Becca Cruger from the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC). InternGF, a partnership between the UND Center for Innovation and the Grand Forks EDC, introduces UND students to high-wage, in-demand careers in the Grand Forks area. This initiative is key to supporting local recruitment and retention efforts by showcasing the region’s dynamic companies, career opportunities, and community assets. “Our session, titled Avoid the Brain Drain. Retain Talent. Increase Local Economic Impact for Startups., was very well received,” Sona said. “We got the opportunity to present on the success of InternGF, which has made a significant impact since its inception in 2018. The feedback was fantastic, and we had many engaging conversations afterwards with attendees asking for more details and offering compliments.”
In addition to presenting, Voigt and Lesmeister were able to attend a range of sessions, including “Cultivating Resilient Mindset in Entrepreneurs”, “How to Gamify Business Model Canvas”, “Going Slow to Scale Fast”, and “Space Activation”. These sessions offered them new perspectives and actionable ideas to bring back to the Center for Innovation.
Lesmeister reflected on some of her major takeaways from the conference, “I attended a session on cultivating a resilient mindset in entrepreneurs, which was both insightful and inspirational. It got me thinking about how we can incorporate these concepts into our own programs.” Another session that stood out to the team was a workshop on gamifying the business model canvas. “It was super fun and interactive!” she continued. “I think it will serve us well to make it a part of our initial session for the Runway Accelerator program.”
Both were impressed by Babson College’s commitment to sustainability during the conference. “What a fantastic way to expand one’s horizons!” Lesmeister noted. “I wish I could have attended multiple sessions that were offered at the same time, but one thing I truly appreciated was Babson’s emphasis on sustainability. It wasn’t just talked about – it was lived out. The event was powered entirely by solar energy, the food came from local sources, and there was a plan to donate all uneaten food.”
In addition to the educational sessions, the conference provided numerous opportunities for networking. One event included a fun evening event at Fenway Park, where they enjoyed appetizers while making valuable connections.
Both are excited to apply everything they learned to further strengthen the work we do at CFI. Voigt concluded, “We’re really lucky to have the ability to support students, faculty/staff, and the community with the services we provide.”
