Learn how to pitch your innovation and compete for up to $2M in NSF seed funding.
Discover how to turn your innovative idea into a compelling grant proposal in this interactive session on America’s Seed Fund, powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Learn how to craft an effective Project Pitch—the crucial first step toward securing up to $2 million in non-dilutive funding for your startup. This session will guide you through defining a significant problem, presenting a unique solution, and highlighting the potential impact of your innovation. Come prepared to share your idea, receive practical insights, and gain the confidence to take your innovation to the next level.
We’re excited to host Elizabeth (Ela) Mirowski, NSF SBIR/STTR Program Director, who will share insights on how to:
Define the problem your innovation solves
Present your unique solution
Showcase your potential impact
📅 Date: September 10, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
📍 Location: Grand Farm Classroom (In-person & Virtual)
Bringing the healing heat of sauna and the benefits of contrast therapy to the community, Arctic Lava blends wellness, hospitality, and local connection in Grand Forks’ first mobile sauna.
Oren Long and Madison McCue at the UND Center for Innovation, Photo by Haylee Bjork
Meet Madison McCue and Oren Long, co-founders of Arctic Lava, the first mobile sauna and contrast therapy business in Grand Forks. Their eight-person, wood-fired sauna is more than just a wellness trend; it’s a science-backed, community-driven experience designed to meet people where they are, both literally and figuratively.
Whether parked outside a workplace, community event, or local gym, Arctic Lava is creating spaces where people can slow down, reconnect, and recharge.
From Hawaii to the Heart of the Midwest
After relocating to Grand Forks to be closer to family, Madison and Oren set out to build something meaningful in their new home. Arctic Lava was born from their shared passion for wellness, hospitality, and the Hawaiian value of Aloha, bringing warmth, connection, and care into everything they do.
Oren’s background is rooted in health, fitness, and sauna traditions. Madison spent over a decade in hospitality and partnerships, helping businesses craft memorable guest experiences. Together, they’ve created a startup that blends cultural care with practical wellness.
Building with Purpose and a Plan
Their entrepreneurial journey began with a deep “why.” With support from ILT Academy’s Lean Startup program, Madison and Oren refined and tested their concept step by step. The process gave them confidence and a roadmap for launching a brand-new service in an unfamiliar market.
That roadmap has been critical, especially when facing challenges like educating the community about contrast therapy or navigating permitting and local regulations. Rather than seeing these as setbacks, they used them as learning moments, reaching out to mentors and local partners for support.
“We’ve overcome challenges by staying adaptable, asking questions, and building relationships,” they said. “Support from the UND Center for Innovation and the local business community helped us turn unknowns into action.”
Community Support That Makes a Difference
The Grand Forks community has played a vital role in supporting Arctic Lava, from local gyms and markets to small business owners eager to collaborate.
The team especially credits partners and friends within the local wellness and small business scene, like Simon at the Ski & Bike Shop, Naas Customs, and Matt from Rhombus Guys Pizza, the resident sauna expert, for believing in their mission and offering everything from referrals to hands-on advice.
Arctic Lava Promotional Materials, Photo by Haylee Bjork
Some recent wins they’re proud of:
Official public launch in July 2025, bringing their vision to life.
Completing their first rental and receiving glowing feedback from clients.
Seeing their business featured and embraced by the community.
Most of all, witnessing people step out of the sauna feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected.
“That’s what it’s all about,” they shared. “Helping people feel better in their bodies and more present in their lives.”
Why Sauna? The Science Behind the Steam
Photo of the inside of the Mobile Sauna, Photo courtesy of Arctic Lava
Sauna and contrast therapy aren’t just relaxing; they’re backed by decades of research.
Regular sauna use has been shown to:
Lower stress and anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system
Improve cardiovascular health and circulation
Speed up muscle recovery and enhance athletic performance
Improve sleep and mental clarity
Support emotional regulation and resilience
Reduce long-term risk of heart disease and dementia
Studies out of the University of Eastern Finland have even found that frequent sauna use can reduce all-cause mortality by over 50%. Arctic Lava’s mission is to bring those benefits, plus the mood-lifting, community-building joy of shared wellness, right to the people of Grand Forks.
Words of Wisdom for Fellow Founders
What advice do they have for other entrepreneurs just starting out?
Lead with your “why.” Purpose gives you staying power.
Talk to real people. Conversations reveal more than spreadsheets ever will.
Lean into local resources. From mentors to programs, North Dakota has your back.
Celebrate the small wins. They’re the building blocks of real momentum.
A Startup Rooted in Community
To Madison and Oren, the Grand Forks small business community is the perfect place to grow something special. It’s supportive, accessible, and full of opportunities for those willing to show up and build relationships.
“You’re not just another startup here, you’re part of a community that wants to see you succeed.”
Ready to experience the heat for yourself?
Madison and Oren standing in front of their Mobile Sauna,Photo courtesy of Arctic Lava
You can find Arctic Lava at the Town Square Farmers Market on select weekends. Stop by, say hello, and learn more about the benefits of sauna and contrast therapy. They’ll also be at the Downtown Street Fair on August 22nd & 23rd, offering a chance to experience the mobile sauna up close.
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Learn more about Arctic Lava and their mission to make wellness more accessible across Grand Forks by following them on Instagram or visiting their website.
What: Project RuralReach will launch its first use-case test with a long-range drone flight, demonstrating the potential of unmanned aircraft to connect rural communities with medical goods using the Vantis system.
The flight will feature a Supervolo drone operated by iSight Drone Services and showcase a 34-mile Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) journey between Williston and Watford City, N.D.
When: Thursday, July 24, 2025 9 a.m. (weather permitting)
Where: Launch from Williston TrainND Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) park, located at 1500 E. Dakota Parkway, Williston, N.D.
Landing at Watford City Municipal Airport, 200 12th Street Southeast, Watford City, N.D. (One-hour drive between locations)
Flight Details:
34-mile flight path
Up to 4,000 feet in altitude
iSight drone operated on the Vantis statewide UAS network
Estimated flight duration: ~1 hour
Why It Matters: The flight will mark a key milestone in North Dakota’s commitment to advancing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for public benefit, improving connectivity, delivery, and emergency response across rural regions. Project RuralReach aims to demonstrate real-world drone applications in sparsely populated areas.
Visual Opportunities:
Drone launch and landing
Interviews with flight operators and project stakeholders
Behind-the-scenes look at UAS flight prep and live tracking
Media Contact:
Haylee Bjork, Marketing Outreach Coordinator Organization: UND Center for Innovation
The UND Center for Innovation is thrilled to announce a major milestone for Project RuralReach, a $1 million initiative funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and led by the University of North Dakota. This groundbreaking project is entering the skies with a bold mission: to develop a statewide UAS (Uncrewed Aircraft Systems) commercialization strategy and conduct an in-depth economic impact study.
Now in the implementation phase, Project RuralReach is partnering with three innovative vendors to launch UAS demonstration projects across the state. Each company will conduct Use Case Tests to explore real-world applications of drone technology that could transform industries and strengthen rural communities.
Focus: Utilizing drones for disaster response and situational awareness
Test Flights Begin: Mid-August 2025
These pilot projects are more than test flights; they’re bold steps toward a smarter, more connected, and more resilient North Dakota.
Supporting Rural & Coal-Impacted Communities
Project RuralReach is funded through the EDA’s American Rescue Plan and Coal Communities Commitment, a federal effort to invest in economic transformation for regions historically dependent on coal and other energy industries. North Dakota is uniquely positioned to lead this charge, thanks to Vantis, the nation’s first and only statewide BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) network for drones.
By tapping into North Dakota’s UAS infrastructure and innovation ecosystem, Project RuralReach is working to:
Accelerate UAS commercialization across key industries
Foster job creation and economic resilience
Expand access to advanced technologies in rural communities
Powered by Collaboration
This project wouldn’t be possible without the support of our exceptional partners:
Behind-the-scenes looks at the upcoming UAS flight demonstrations
Initial findings from the economic impact study
Opportunities to engage with the future of unmanned systems in North Dakota
Whether you’re a policymaker, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, Project RuralReach invites you to be part of the journey to revolutionize how rural America connects, responds, and thrives.
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.
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.
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.
Running a small business in Grand Forks is no small feat. From juggling daily operations to planning for growth, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. Winter months bring their own set of challenges—slumps in sales, staffing shortages, and questions about how to expand into new markets.
What if you could tackle these challenges head-on and leave with a plan you’re excited to put into action?
The Solution Sprint Workshop on December 7th is your opportunity to step away from the daily grind, focus on your business, and walk out with a concrete, actionable plan.
Why You Should Attend
If you’re a small business owner looking to:
Attract more customers and boost sales.
Overcome the winter sales slump.
Find and retain reliable staff.
Explore and plan for expansion into new markets.
Then this workshop is for you.
This is a high-impact, hands-on workshop tailored to business owners who want results. Together, we’ll dig into your biggest challenges and work step-by-step to create a strategy that works for you.
Photo captured doing strategy planning
What to Expect
Here’s how the day unfolds:
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Clarify
We’ll start by exploring your vision, gathering insights, and clearly defining your most pressing challenges.
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Ideate
Using creative thinking techniques, you’ll brainstorm potential solutions, identifying ideas with the most potential to move forward.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Lunch
Take a break and enjoy a delicious lunch on us while connecting with fellow business owners.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Develop
Refine, evaluate, and strengthen your top ideas to turn them into actionable solutions.
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Implement
You’ll finish the day by creating a practical, step-by-step plan that you can execute immediately to grow your business.
Solution Sprint Agenda
Why This Workshop Works
Practical, Hands-On Approach
Forget boring PowerPoints. You’ll roll up your sleeves, work through your real business scenarios, and leave with tools you can use right away.
Collaborative Energy
Connect with other Grand Forks business owners who share your challenges and aspirations. Share insights, learn from their experiences, and leave with fresh perspectives.
Expert Guidance
You’ll be guided by an experienced facilitator who knows how to help you clarify your vision, prioritize what matters, and take action.
Workshop Details
📅 Date: Thursday, December 7th
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Lunch included!)
📍 Location: Center for Innovation, 4200 James Ray Drive, Grand Forks
💡 Cost: $250 per participant
👉 Sign up now and save $50 with the early bird discount! Use code EARLYBIRD at checkout.
