Kickstand Blog

UP NEXT: Launch After Reading!
WHEN: Thursday, January 14th @ 5:30 – 7pm
WHERE: The WaterCooler
RSVP NOW!

Read a great book lately? Looking for good reading material, but don't know where to look? Then don't miss this month's Kickstand meeting! A panel of Kickstand members will discuss their Top 3 "business" books to  inspire, motivate and help you change the world. Looking for a quick read about marketing strategy? Or perhaps a inspirational book about taking the start-up plunge? Ask the panel for a recommendation!
Panel includes:

• Stephen Nipper - Patent Attorney
• Bill Meade - Intellectual Property Consultant
• Jeff Reynolds - Co-Owner of Rizen Creative (moderator)
• Brandon Wright - UltraClean Owner & Meridian Breakfast and Books Club Creator
• Rochelle Delong - Consilio Owner

And, have a great book to share? Share it forward by bringing it to the meeting and contributing it to our 'Leave A Book, Take a Book' table.
RSVP Today!

Entrepreneurship in the News
What's Big in 2010 - Springwise scans the globe for the most promising business ventures, ideas and concepts that are ready for regional or international adaptation, expansion, partnering, investments or cooperation, tracking more than 400 global offline and online business resources. Here is their Top 10 Business Ideas & Opportunities for 2010.

Four Trends for the Tens - Farewell and good riddance to the Decade of the Zeroes, when many people felt reduced to nothingness after two big economic bubbles burst. Welcome to the 2010s, a chance for a fresh start — sort of. The year opens with four trends that gained momentum in the past decade.

Kauffman Foundation president lays out five strategies to boost entrepreneurship and create jobs

Support Innovation

NxLevel for Start-Ups & Entrepreneurs
The flagship of the SBDC training program is back and better than ever. The one class that covers owning and managing a small business from the very beginning to the day you decide to sell, NxLeveL has been training entrepreneurs on how to do it right. Don't miss out on your opportunity to make the right decisions the first time and be the successful business owner you have always wanted to be. Class meets 5 times starting January 16.

The Ground Floor The latest flexible workspace for Idaho entrepreneurs opens this month. The Ground Floor powered by VengaWorks, opens its doors Jan. 20 in Downtown Meridian. The Ground Floor is a project of the Meridian Development Corporation (MDC), the urban renewal agency for Downtown. The new flexible workspace is in a historic building at 136 E. Idaho and offers emerging businesses an economical way to take their work to the next level. The Ground Floor launch is January 20 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

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.

Silver Sponsor Carlson Hall is a Boise-based business intermediary firm serving privately-held companies in the Intermountain West. We provide transaction advisory services that result in winning outcomes for all stakeholders. Carlson Hall brokers both business buy and sell transactions (mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, joint ventures, inside transfers, spinoff) and offers transition consulting to guide a company through change of ownership. We are deeply experienced in working with entrepreneurs from start-up to accelerated growth through exit stages, and have technical expertise in business valuations, strategic consulting to enhance value, targeting national strategic buyers and private equity groups, and negotiating effectively to close deals. Carlson Hall: Building Value for Private Companies.

Up Next: January Meeting - Alternative Financing Sources
When: Thursday, January 13  @ 5:30 - 7:30pm
Where: The WaterCooler
RSVP Today!
For first meeting of 2011 we tried really hard to get Matthew Lesko, that crazy infomercial guy peddling his huge book on how to get money from the government.  

We failed.  

Instead, this month’s event will be the next best thing, a panel discussion on alternative financing sources. By alternative, we mean sources of funds other than venture capital and a standard bank loan, two well worn subjects.  The panel will include a community funding organization, the SBA, a government grant guru, a playwright and producer, and a loan shark. Kick off the new year by connecting, learning and growing with Idaho's entrepreneurs and innovators.

Idaho Innovation In The News
Venture Capital in the Rockies
Inovus Solar of Boise has been selected to present at the CleanTech track at VCIR Winter next month - a showcase for the rocky mountain region's most promising emerging growth companies. Congratulations to founder and CEO Clay Young and best of luck to him in his presentation to an audience of more than 300 venture investors, CEOs, entrepreneurs and service professionals. (Thanks to Mark Solon of Highway 12 for the news.)

Team Exergy Pro Cycling 2011 - Idaho Connection
Team Exergy Pro Cycling is focusing on Idaho-made components and services during the coming 2011 professional race season to showcase the depth and importance of cycling in the area. “We hope to show the world that Idaho is a hotbed for cycling and innovation,” says Tad Hamilton, Sporting Director for Team Exergy. Idaho companies involved with the team include Power Cordz synthetic fiber bicycle cables, Smith Optics, K-Edge Cycling Solutions, Wobble-Naught Bike Fitting, Hi-Tech Color, and title sponsor Exergy Development Group. (Source: Daily Peloton)

Boise-based CradlePoint poised for growth with new round of Venture Capital
CradlePoint Technology's CEO anticipates another year of torrid growth with a new infusion of $7.5 million in venture capital.  The Boise-based firm announced its fourth round of venture financing Dec. 14, led by Kirkland, Wash.-based OVP Venture Partners, with backing from Boise-based Highway 12 Ventures. (Source: Idaho Business Review)

Tsuvo: Self-Funded Start-Up
The latest installment of Boise State Radio's Tech Ki series features the founders of Tsuvo - Kickstand member and a web site development and internet marketing firm that also develops cutting-edge software.

Have your own news to share? Send it to info@kickstand.org to be featured in next month's newsletter and on the Kickstand blog throughout the month

Seize Opportunity
Media Opportunities for New Businesses
The Idaho Statesman will give new businesses - less than six months old - a chance to tell their stories in its new weekly business magazine, Business Insider, which debuts Jan. 12. More Information

Green Acceleration Series
A series brought to you by the Idaho SBDC and Green Works Idaho to help entrepreneurs integrate environmental and social responsibility into their business.  Learn the theory and hear how local businesses have put it into practice. Held the 4th Wednesday of every month from January 26 - May 27. Learn more and register.

Free Online Strategy Roundtables
As part of the 1Million by 1Million initiative, Silicon Valley entrepreneur and strategy consultant Sramana Mitra offers free weekly online strategy roundtables for entrepreneurs looking to discuss positioning, financing, and other aspects of a startup venture. Up to 1,000 people can attend each session, but only the first five who register to pitch will be able to present their business ideas. All attendees are able to join in on the conversations via a live chat. More Information.

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.
TechConnect accelerates Idaho's innovation-based economy by connecting people, ideas and resources through activities in 4 areas: Building an entrepreneurial culture Promoting industry-university collaboration Facilitating commercialization Encouraging investment in infrastructure to support an innovation-based economy.