Kickstand Blog

Start-Up Speed Dating
Do you have the art of the ask? The panache to pitch? The ability to inspire with your idea? Then take the plunge NOW and apply for Kickstand's annual Start-Up Speed Dating event.

This year, we'll turn up the pressure a notch and bring Kickstand's membership into the mix. The crowd will ultimately crown the Speed Dating Champ (after our esteemed panel of judges selects the top 3.)

Think you have what it takes? Apply before September 30 to be one of 10 entrepreneurs selected to take the stage in October.

What Is It Again?
A way for people with big ideas to enlist others in their cause, while refining and rehearsing their goals at the same time. A select number of start-ups learn how to structure their business plans and deliver their vision in 5 minutes; practice with experienced investors and successful CEO's/Entrepreneurs; receive real time feedback to prepare for the long term relationship.

Why Should I Participate?
It's a valuable learning experience. As an entrepreneur, a passion for ‘learning’ is one of the key qualities driving what you choose to do with your life. Learning ‘how’ to sell your idea, product and business will enable you to succeed in your endeavors.
Oh, and did we mention $1,000 in cash prizes are up for grabs?

Alright, I'm convinced. Now what?
Write an Executive Summary and submit it to Speed Dating Coordinator Miguel Lantz lantz@ctcweb.net The Executive Summary should be a maximum of two pages and must include: 

1. Participant Name:
2. Company Name (if any):
3. Address:
4. City, State, Zip:
5. Phone:
6. Email:
7. What are your product and your key differentiators?
8. Explain your competitive landscape.
9. What is your market?
10. Who are your key customers or key partner relationships?
11. Include a brief biographical profile on your key team members.
12. What has been your experience so far seeking funding?

(Addendums such as charts, graphs, tables, and spreadsheets that might further clarify your vision may be included.)

When does it happen?

1. September 30: Application Deadline
2. October 9: Selected Companies Notified
3. October 11: Start-Up Speed Dating in front of Panel of Judges
4. October 13: Top 3 Start-Up Speed Dating companies present to Kickstand membership. Winning company selected by the crowd.

Get tips on how to make your Executive Summary stand out from Kevin Learned of the Small Business Development Center.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY SEPTEMBER 30 TO lantz@ctcweb.net

UP NEXT
What:  August Monthly Meeting - Network, Learn, Grow @ Blue Mesh
When: Thursday, August 11, 2011 @ 5:30-7:30pm
*Where: At Blue Mesh Networks, 943 West Overland Road, Meridian 83642
FREE for Kickstand members & guests
RSVP
Kickstand is proud to co-host our August event at BlueMesh Networks as part of their Open House at the new MeshTech Center in Meridian.

The event will feature Mayor De Weerd from the City of Meridian speaking about how local government can help businesses grow. Kelly Hogan, CEO of BlueMesh Networks, will speak about how he has applied the principals of Network, Learn, and Grow to his business over the last 12 years.  (Did we mention there will be door prizes? An Apple iPad2 and 5 WiFiRanger Mobile N Routers will be given away)

SEIZE OPPORTUNITY
Boise State Public Radio presents Risky Business:  My Big Break on September 15th from 7 to 9 pm at the Yanke Family Research Park (220 E. Park Center Blvd.). 

You are invited to submit a story on your big break to BSU Public Radio.  This is your chance to help us celebrate business - the ups and downs, the delays, the teams, the good ideas and the 'what were we thinking' ideas, the customer experience - the good, the bad, the ugly, the failures, the triumphs.  This is not a pitch to an investor - this is your chance to tell us the story of your pitch to the investor.  We know that there are some great untold stories out there.  Don't worry, there will be coaching help leading up to the big day.  What we need is you (and your story)!  A handful of stories will be selected and told, live on stage to a business and story loving audience.  

Help us celebrate Boise's business community and share stories of your big break today at BSU Public Radio.  For questions or additional information, please contact Jim Lyons at jflyons@gmail.com or Krissa Wrigley at krissa.wrigley@gmail.com.

Start-Up Speed Dating
Do you have the art of the ask? The panache to pitch? The ability to inspire with your idea? Then take the plunge and apply for Kickstand's annual Start-Up Speed Dating event.

This year, we'll turn up the pressure (and the feedback opportunities) a notch by having selected companies pitch to a panel of judges AND their peers in a live format.  Think you have what it takes? Apply now to be one of 10 entrepreneurs selected to take the stage in October (and snag accolades, priceless feedback and prizes.)

Get some tips on how to make your Executive Summary stand out from Kevin Learned of the Small Business Development Center, then submit your application by September 30.

SAVE THE DATE
Join StartupWeekend Idaho for a no talk, all action event designed to launch your startup in 54 hours. Startup Weekend provides networking, resources and incentives for individuals and teams to go from idea to launch. They connect you with local developers, innovators and entrepreneurs to build community and start real companies.

People pitch ideas and form teams on Friday night and then try to build prototypes/demos and organize basic business planning in one weekend, culminating in a judging on Sunday night. Winning teams receive prizes including cash, in kind services and mentoring.

Idaho's 2nd Startup Weekend is set for September 9-11, 2011 at Stevens-Henager College. Learn more & sign up to startup!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Special thanks to our loyal sponsors whose participation enables up to keep growing Kickstand and providing you with opportunities to network, learn and grow.  As an emerging metropolitan research university, Boise State University is committed to fostering an environment where exceptional research and creative activity thrive.

August Monthly Meeting
What:  Network, Learn, Grow @ Blue Mesh
When: Thursday, August 11, 2011 @ 5:30-7:30pm
*Where: At Blue Mesh Networks, 943 West Overland Road, Meridian 83642
RSVP
Kickstand is proud to co-host our August event at BlueMesh Networks as part of their Open House at the new MeshTech Center in Meridian.

The event will feature Mayor De Weerd from the City of Meridian speaking about how local government can help businesses grow. Kelly Hogan, CEO of BlueMesh Networks, will speak about how he has applied the principals of Network, Learn, and Grow to his business over the last 12 years.

(Did we mention there will be door prizes? An Apple iPad2 and 5 WiFiRanger Mobile N Routers will be given away)
RSVP TODAY

UP NEXT
'Snapshot of Downtown' 2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt
When: Thursday, July 14, 2011 @ 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Starts at  The WaterCooler
RSVP

You spend lots of time focused on putting your best foot forward, whether to new hires, investors, strategic partners or potential customers. The perfect pitch, the ultimate sales deck, the polished presentation. What about the rest? As businesses grow, it is very likely that customers, vendors, investors, or partners will come into town for meetings, sales pitches and otherwise. So what next?

When visitors come to town, what do you do with them?
Where do you take them for lunch, dinner or after-hours entertainment?

No matter what business you are in, or hoping to be in, you are also in the entertainment business.

Join us for an entertaining and interactive July Kickstand meeting - our 2nd Annual 'Snapshot of Downtown' Scavenger Hunt - designed to get members out and about to find new locales and share their favorite spots with each other (...and have fun and win prizes along the way!) RSVP NOW!

SEIZE OPPORTUNITY
Idaho Innovation Awards
Nominations are now being accepted to the sixth annual Idaho Innovation Awards program, presented by Stoel Rives LLP, Kickstand and the Idaho Technology Council. The program recognizes innovations, innovative professionals and companies throughout the state. Nominations are due Friday, September 9, 2011 and can be submitted online. The program receives support from Cooper Norman and Idaho TechConnect.

Nominations from any industry will be accepted in the following categories:

Commercialized Innovation of the Year	This category is designed to recognize innovations from companies that have been established for more than five years and that are on the market, contributing to the local economy.
Early-Stage Innovation of the Year	This category is designed to recognize innovations from companies that are less than five years old, may or may not be commercialized, still in or just emerging from the R&D stage, or coming from a nonprofit/academic entity such as a technology transfer office.
Innovative Company of the Year	This category is designed to recognize innovative companies; companies that have implemented an innovative business model, and provide an environment that supports innovation in all aspects of its operations..
Innovator of the Year	This category is designed to recognize innovative business professionals; individuals who demonstrate innovative characteristics and thinking in their careers and accomplishments.

The following were recognized as winners and finalists in 2010:

Commercialized Innovation of the Year

• Silicone Hay Preservation by Nurturite, LLC - WINNER
• Cloud Imaging Processing for Water Quality Analysis by pSi Flow Technology, Inc.
• Lodestar by M2M Communications

Early-Stage Innovation of the Year

• Supercritical/Solid Catalyst by the Idaho National Laboratory - WINNER
• Novel Nanoparticles that Kill Cancer Cells by Boise State University
• Triclosan for Reducing Chemotherapy Heart Damage by Boise State University

Innovative Company of the Year

• Healthwise - WINNER
• PKG User Interface Solutions, Inc.
• Unity Medical

Innovator of the Year

• Robert Fox, Chemist, Idaho National Laboratory - WINNER
• Dan Aargon, General Manager and Head Designer, Cold Chain LLC
• Tom LaJoie, President, eTripTrader, Inc.

Nominees named as finalists in previous years are encouraged to resubmit to the 2011 program. Previous winners are not eligible for consideration.

 Nominations will be reviewed by a Selection Committee consisting of leaders from Idaho’s business, academic and technology communities. Finalists will be announced in September. Finalists and winners will be recognized at an Awards Banquet in the Fall.

For more information about the program, please contact one of the following:

Kris Ormseth Partner Stoel Rives LLP (208) 387-4267 kjormseth@stoel.com

Tammie Gonzalez   Program Assistant   Stoel Rives LLP   (208) 387-4244   tlgonzalez@stoel.com

INNOVATION IN THE NEWS
Idaho in Top 10 for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Idaho is one of the top states for entrepreneurship and innovation, according to a new U.S. Chamber of Commerce report. According to the report , “Enterprising States: recovery and renewal for the 21^st Century,” released June 20, Idaho is nearly leading the pack in business birth rate and small business lending – second in both categories. Idaho also ranked seventh in long-term job growth rate, ninth in “top entrepreneurship and innovation,” and 10th for entrepreneurial activity, as well as tenth in job placement efficiency. (Source: Idaho Business Review)
Read the full 'Enterprising States' report from the U.S. Chamber

Entrepreneur Feedback for VCs
Post from George Mulhern, General Partner at Highway 12 Ventures

SUPPORT A STARTUP

(Introducing a new section of our newsletter and blog where we promote events and opportunities for members to participate in to support our Idaho startups. Are you a startup with an event to share, a contest where you need votes, or a focus group opportunity where you need feedback? Let us know!)

Boise-based Prosperity Organic Foods is the creator of rich and creamy Melt®. The company's committed to creating great tasting organic products through innovative uses of healthy fats and oils so you can eat better, feel better and live better. Currently, Melt® is carried in the Boise Co-op and regional Fred Meyer stores and is being featured on the national health and wellness focused Buzz Bus Tour.

The Tour makes a stop in Boise this Monday and you're invited to stop by and learn more about how Boise's own Melt®  is helping to lead a national trend of adding healthy fats and oils to your daily diet (and enjoy free samples too!)
What: Buzz Bus Tour featuring Melt
When: Monday, July 18 from 3pm - 7pm
Where: Grove Plaza in Downtown Boise

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Special thanks to our loyal sponsors whose participation enables up to keep growing Kickstand and providing you with opportunities to network, learn and grow.

VOLT is a recruiting industry leader and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies. With over 60 years of proven performance, the foundation of our solutions is our innovative "Workforce Design", the creative arrangement of top talent, best-in-class services, and proven technology. With so much riding on the quality of talent today, Volt delivers to help meet clients' most critical and time-sensitive workforce needs. Call us today 208.375.9930

UP NEXT
July Monthly Meeting
What:  'Snapshot of Downtown' 2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt
When: Thursday, July 14, 2011 @ 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Starts at  The WaterCooler
RSVP NOW!

You spend lots of time focused on putting your best foot forward, whether to new hires, investors, strategic partners or potential customers. The perfect pitch, the ultimate sales deck, the polished presentation. What about the rest? As businesses grow, it is very likely that customers, vendors, investors, or partners will come into town for meetings, sales pitches and otherwise. So what next?

When visitors come to town, what do you do with them?
Where do you take them for lunch, dinner or after-hours entertainment?

No matter what business you are in, or hoping to be in, you are also in the entertainment business.

Join us for an entertaining and interactive July Kickstand meeting - our 2nd Annual 'Snapshot of Downtown' Scavenger Hunt - designed to get members out and about to find new locales and share their favorite spots with each other.

Oh, and have fun and win prizes along the way!