Kickstand Blog
Fueling the innovation engine.
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Last Chance for Recognition
It is your last chance to apply for recognition in Idaho's premier innovation awards program - the Idaho Innovation Awards, 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 BY TOMORROW, September 9, 2011 and can be submitted online.
Nominations from any industry will be accepted in the following categories:
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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. |
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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. |
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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.. |
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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:
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Kris Ormseth |
Tammie Gonzalez |
September 2011 Newsletter
UP NEXT
What: Resource Roundup
When: Thursday, September 8 @ 5:30 - 7:00pm
Where: The WaterCooler
Cost: FREE for members, $15 for nonmembers and guests
RSVP: RSVP HERE
We
all talk about the needs we have, the information we seek and the
support we want. A lot of it is out there - it's just finding exactly
what we want when we need it.
Join Kickstand this Thursday for a free-flowing conversation with valley leadership about what is available and where you can find it. Come with a mindset of give and take - be prepared to share your top go-to resource for entrepreneurial, start-up and small business needs. Our popular Haves / Needs Board will make a return appearance as well as our resource table.
Consider it Back-to-School time for the entrepreneurial set.
SEIZE OPPORTUNITY
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. A select number of
start-ups will 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.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.) Oh, and did we mention $1,000 in cash prizes are up for grabs?
Think you have what it takes? Write an Executive Summary and submit it to Speed Dating Coordinator Miguel Lantz lantz@ctcweb.net by September 30 to be considered. The Executive Summary should be a maximum of two pages and must include:
- Participant Name:
- Company Name (if any):
- Address:
- City, State, Zip:
- Phone:
- Email:
- What are your product and your key differentiators?
- Explain your competitive landscape.
- What is your market?
- Who are your key customers or key partner relationships?
- Include a brief biographical profile on your key team members.
- What has been your experience so far seeking funding.
- September 30: Application Deadline
- October 9: Selected Companies Notified
- October 11: Start-Up Speed Dating in front of Panel of Judges
- October 13: Top 3 Start-Up Speed Dating companies present to Kickstand membership. Winning company selected by the crowd.
Ignite Boise
Think you have one of Boise's best ideas? Share it with a crowd of 600+ (and the world via YouTube) at Ignite Boise 7. The submission form is now open for you to submit your idea and vie to present it at Boise's idea feeding frenzy.
It is all about bringing together embers of big ideas to spark a blaze of creativity in Boise’s business and creative community – leaving attendees more educated and just as importantly, more inspired.
The 7th iteration of the event is October 27 at 7:00 pm at the Egyptian Theater. If you want to be part of the Ignite crowd, be ready to snatch the free tickets up for grabs the morning of October 6th and believe us, they do go fast. Stay up to date with all IB7 news by following them @IgniteBoise.
Startup Weekend Idaho
What are you doing this weekend? How about launching a startup in 54 hours?
Startup Weekend Idaho provides networking, resources and incentives for individuals and teams to go from idea to launch in a weekend.
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 September 9-11, 2011 at Stevens-Henager College. Learn more & sign up to startup!
IN THE NEWS
BusinessWeek: Northeast, West Coast States Top Entrepreneurship Index
'States in the Northeast and West Coast are most favorable for startups, according to the latest State Entrepreneurship Index published by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln last week.
The annual index ranks states using the number of businesses that open and close, the average earnings of its entrepreneurs, the number of patents per capita, and other data, says Eric Thompson, an economics professor and director of the university’s Bureau of Business Research.
New York, Washington state, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Oregon topped the list. South Carolina came in with the lowest ranking, while Nevada plummeted 40 spots to 47 for the biggest change on the index. Alabama, Mississippi, and Arizona were also in the bottom five.'
Idaho ranked #15, down from #2 in 2008. More on the Index.

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.
Hawley Troxell is Idaho’s premier full service business law firm. The firm's
collective experience lets it provide solutions to the challenges of
doing business, from formation to exit. Whether one-on-one counsel or a
team approach, Hawley Troxell tailors its services to meet clients’ needs at
competitive Idaho rates.
Seize Opportunity: Startup 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:
- Participant Name:
- Company Name (if any):
- Address:
- City, State, Zip:
- Phone:
- Email:
- What are your product and your key differentiators?
- Explain your competitive landscape.
- What is your market?
- Who are your key customers or key partner relationships?
- Include a brief biographical profile on your key team members.
- What has been your experience so far seeking funding?
When does it happen?
- September 30: Application Deadline
- October 9: Selected Companies Notified
- October 11: Start-Up Speed Dating in front of Panel of Judges
- October 13: Top 3 Start-Up Speed Dating companies present to Kickstand membership. Winning company selected by the crowd.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY SEPTEMBER 30 TO lantz@ctcweb.net
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Recent Posts
- August Membership Event - Innovation Award Nominations Due August 10.
- Kickstand: April Monthly Meeting
- March Monthly Meeting (Updated with speaker contact info)
- February Guest Speaker
- Kickstand December Meeting
- Monthly Meeting - October 13
- Seize Opportunity: VC's Unplugged (FREE!)
- Last Chance for Recognition
- September 2011 Newsletter
- Seize Opportunity: Startup Speed Dating



