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News
Summer 2016
Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
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t the height of budget restructuring and cuts at UND, Interim President Ed Schafer announced his support for a new degree from the School of Entrepreneurship; Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This degree is designed to be different in that it would not require students to complete the College of Business and Public Administration’s (CoBPA) core requirements. Bruce Gjovig said, “Our best entrepreneurial students are not necessarily in the college of business. This degree seeks to bridge the
single-discipline mentality and create rather an overarching tool-box of entrepreneurship and innovation that will complement any discipline.” “The proposed degree is entrepreneurial in its structure, approach, and metrics,” said Tim O’Keefe, executive director and chair of the UND School of Entrepreneurship. “We certainly hope this degree will attract new students to the UND campus, but our primary objective is to serve the students who are already here. We have approximately 13,000 students on campus who we passionately believe would benefit from
Gjovig’s Jargon
entrepreneurship education – not necessarily as a stand-alone degree, but as a value-added credential for their primary degree.” Last year, the School of Entrepreneurship delivered 11 courses to students in majors from four different colleges. The new degree was presented to the CoBPA curriculum committee last year where it failed. However, with the support of the UND president, the proposal received renewed interest. continued on Page 2
“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.” - George Bernard Shaw
Bachelor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship continued Proposed Curriculum:
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Year Course # Prereq. Credits 2 ENTR 250 Imagination, Creativity and Entrepreneurial Thinking* 3 ISBC 260 Digital Technology for Entrepreneurs* 3 Tech 270 Design Thinking* 3 ENTR 290 Venture Initiation 3 3 ENTR 316 Entrepreneurship Law & Operations 3 ENTR 386 Entrepreneurship: The Numbers 3 ENTR 388 386 Entrepreneurship: The Money 3 ENTR 390 290, 386 Venture Implementation 3 4 ENTR 410 Marketing and Management Concepts for Entrepreneurs 3 ENTR 490 390 Entrepreneurship Senior Seminar 2 ENTR 497 290 Entrepreneurship Practice 3 Total Credits: 32
How is the degree different? • Degree does not specify any specific courses within essential studies • Is designed as a complimentary program/degree • Utilizes strategic cross-campus relationships and an interdisciplinary approach • Will establish and utilize different metrics for success • Need not be limited to UND students solely • Requires an essay on life objectives as admission
Center for Innovation staff member Emily O’Brien and Dr. Tim O’Keefe discuss the new degree program and its integration with the Center for Innovation.
Welcomes New Tenant Robot Aviation Bjorn Forsdal
www.robotaviation.com 2
Summer 2016
Nordic Waffles Launched
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ombining milk, eggs, flour, sugar, butter with a lot of love, Norwegian entrepreneur Stine Åsland is introducing the Midwest to her unique Nordic Waffles. Made fresh and available with a variety of toppings, Nordic Waffles are sold at coffee shops, convenience stores, and gas stations. Listing the potential toppings, Åsland said, “Salmon, cream cheese and dill; cardamom spiced sour cream with lingonberry; toasted Jarlsberg and ham with pesto; and Norwegian brown cheese and butter are just a few of the different flavors we have on our menu.” With this menu, Åsland is bringing traditional and trendy together for a savory waffle that can be enjoyed at any time of day.
Åsland already knows the taste of success. In Norway she founded Telemarksrøra, a waffle company with a similar concept, which grew it to become the largest distributor in Norway. Stine was named the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in Norway in 2010. After selling the company, she began planning for the next step in her career and eventually came to the Center for Innovation for guidance. “Among all entrepreneur incubators I have seen, the Center for Innovation has been the greatest of them all. It has been a key factor in the development of my company,” Åsland said. Sales of Nordic Waffles are already growing exponentially and the product has received even more praise than expected. Åsland is participating in the North Dakota Department of Commerce’s InnovateND program and she continues to work closely with the Center for Innovation toward the mission to serve the American people with something different; a fresh, high quality waffle made with natural ingredients unlike anything they have ever eaten before. https://www.facebook.com/nordicwaffles
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Dakota Venture Group Celebrates 10 Years
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akota Venture Group (DVG), the nation’s first fully studentrun venture capital fund, is approaching its tenth anniversary this October. To celebrate, DVG will host an alumni gathering during UND’s homecoming week, October 9-15, 2016. More information will be posted on the DVG website as plans are finalized for the event, http://www.dakotaventuregroup.com. During its 10-year history with the UND Center for Innovation Foundation, DVG has provided more than 130 students with hands-on, experiential learning in angel investing and has deployed over $1 million into startup companies. In addition to its original evergreen fund, DVG also launched Harvest Fund I, a $1.4 million fund and the nation’s first for-profit fund managed entirely by students. Last November, DVG hosted its first national Student Venture Capital Summit. Over 50 students from across the United States who attended the summit had opportunities to learn from professional venture capitalists. Summit activities included screening a company; completing due diligence on a company; learning about raising funds and networking with likeminded individuals. The next Student Venture Capital Summit is scheduled for November 11-12, 2016.
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Summer 2016
Sharper Shape Secures $3.25 Million
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ne of the most recent additions to the Center for Innovation’s incubator program, Sharper Shape, has raised $3.25 million in equity funds to launch its company in the United States. The lead investor is Straightforward Capital, a Finnish-based venture capital firm with interest in technology companies. Straightforward Capital’s investment in Sharper Shape is the first for the fund. In addition, strategic financing for Sharper Shape was provided by Partners in Performance (PIP). Based in Australia and operating in many countries, PIP plans to extend its service offerings for energy customers with the addition of Sharper Shape’s inspection and analytics services. Tero Heinonen of Sharper Shape explained that his Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) service company started in Finland and recently made the move to the United States with offices in North Dakota and California. Heinonen, the founder and CEO, describes the company as a global leader in UAV-based automated inspection of assets most commonly found in the energy industry. In the United States, Heinonen is working with the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) to demonstrate and develop commercial services on
long-distance drone flights for electric companies. Sharper Shape plans to use the funds to reach new markets and continue improving its technology. Heinonen said, “With these investments we can take the next steps in rolling out our services globally and continue to lead the development of automated drone-based asset management. This funding, combined with our innovative partnership with EEI, will accelerate commercial long-distance drone inspections for the utility industries in the U.S. and worldwide.”
http://sharpershape.com
SBIR/STTR National Road Tour – Aug 15th
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Greg Syrup Joins Center for Innovation Staff
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reg Syrup, a native of Grand Forks, ND, joined the Center for Innovation in October 2015 as part of the organization’s ongoing initiatives to promote entrepreneurship and angel investment. In his position as Angel Fund Specialist, Syrup is primarily involved in the development of the 701 Angel Fund, the most recent addition to the ND angel capital industry. He also works with other center staff to strengthen the network of angel funds the center has built in recent years. Within the network he facilitates collaboration through a grant-supported initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce/Economic Development Administration (EDA) through its Regional Innovation Strategies program. During his college career, Syrup was a champion for angel investing within the region. He joined the nation’s first student managed venture fund, Dakota Venture Group (DVG), just as the group had begun its for-profit Harvest Fund. He served as DVG’s managing director of business development and in May of 2013, he was elected as chairman of DVG. Prior to joining the Center for Innovation staff, Syrup graduated from the University of North Dakota with an undergraduate degree in entrepreneurship and masters of business administration.
In his new role, Syrup will continue to utilize the skills developed while working with Dakota Venture Group as a student at the University of North Dakota. He has been instrumental in the development of the area’s newest angel investment entity, the 701 Angel Fund. In just a few short months, the fund has made investments into four different companies, deploying nearly $175,000, of the $750,000 raised, toward the funds $3 million goal. “It is an honor to be able to continue growing the angel capital industry in our region. I have always been passionate about entrepreneurship and to be able to have this opportunity with the 701 Angel Fund through the UND Center for Innovation is a dream come true. It is has been incredible to be able to work with great entrepreneurs and active investors to help these companies achieve success. The best part is we are just getting started,” Syrup states about his new role.
Greg Syrup Greg@innovators.net www.701angelfund.com
he 2016 SBIR/STTR Road Tour stopped in Grand Forks on August 15 at the UND Center for Innovation’s James Ray Idea Lab. Fourteen SBIR program managers from federal agencies provided 44 small businesses with information on federal grant opportunities. Thirty-five met oneon-one with the program managers to get specific information related to their companies. BBC Consulting presented a workshop on the importance of a strong cost proposal for SBIR/ STTR Phase I or II and the basics of the business/commercialization side of SBIR/STTR. The U.S. Small Business Administration sponsors the national SBIR Road Tour. Edsel Brown, assistant director, Office of Innovation & Technology, also attended the event. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp opened the workshop and delivered the keynote address. This was one of a series of road tour stops providing excellent access to federal agency program managers representing $2.5 billion in early stage funding which is aimed at technology entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. More than 40 North Dakota companies have secured 145 SBIR or STTR awards worth $33.2 million since the 1980’s. The Center for Innovation, funded in part with a grant from SBA, provides assistance to companies interested in SBIR.
Tyler Okerlund Tyler@innovators.net www.innovators.net 701.777.6623 Summer 2016
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Dr. William L. Paulin Entrepreneur in Residence
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r. William L. Paulin’s work as an entrepreneur-in-residence with the UND Center for Innovation and professor of practice with the UND School of Entrepreneurship is the culmination of a successful career in industry and a personal interest in fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs through hands-on, experiential learning. Over the past three years, his roles at the university have included working as an entrepreneur coach at the Center for Innovation and serving as an advisor and
developer of new courses for the School of Entrepreneurship. At the Center for Innovation, Paulin can be found coaching student entrepreneurs or working as a more active interim executive for business up-starts. He also works with the center’s initiatives to bring innovative, growth-oriented companies from other countries into the U.S. marketplace. Paulin has been instrumental in helping several foreign companies establish locations North Dakota, including Sharper Shape and Rikola from Finland, Robot Aviation from Norway, and Advacam from Finland and the Czech Republic. As professor of practice with the UND School of Entrepreneurship, Paulin focuses on helping the faculty build the university’s new school both as an advisor and the developer of innovative experiential courses. Paulin explains, “Experiential means building real businesses with students and business professionals utilizing all of the university’s resources. Thus, the venture lab idea is to connect students with the business community as well as advisors within the school, to facilitate their initiative in pursuit of starting a business.”
Sky Skopes Receives FAA 333 Exemption
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kySkopes, a commercial operator of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), recently completed its first year of operations in North Dakota. The company first received its Section 333 exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAS) on June 6, 2015. “It’s not just about getting the permission to fly commercial, but it’s about making use of that exemption to provide true value to consumers,” explained Matt Dunlevy, President and CEO of SkySkopes. An FAA Section 333 exemption provides operators who wish to pursue safe and legal entry into the National Airspace System (NAS) a competitive advantage in the marketplace, thus discouraging illegal operations and improving safety.
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Since receiving commercial authorization to fly, SkySkopes has added 12 pilots and 12 UAVs and the company has conducted hundreds of commercial flight hours during more than 200 successful missions. In addition, the company has started an internship program for UAS majors at UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. Sky Skopes is located in the Skalicky Tech Incubator, one of the Center for Innovation’s two incubators located on the UND campus.
Paulin brings decades of experience to UND, having served on the boards of directors, advisors and program developers for 38 companies, 9 universities and 4 government institutions in the U.S. and Europe. With more than forty years’ executive and consulting experience, Paulin has held senior leadership and operating positions in both Fortune 500 firms as well as in smaller turnarounds, breakouts and startups. His experience spans the high-tech industry clusters of aviation and aerospace, telecom and wireless, electronics and power, advanced materials, machine tools, optics, medical and software. Paulin was a practicing engineer in the aerospace industry with Boeing and holds a BSME from the University of California at Berkeley, and MBA in finance and a Ph.D. in strategic management and entrepreneurship from the University of Washington in Seattle. He and his wife, Sandy, divide their time between Prescott, Arizona, and Grand Forks.
Bill Paulin, Ph. D Entrepreneur in Residence Bill@innovators.net 858.722.2905
Dunlevy credits the relationships established with the Center for Innovation and UND as an important first step when starting and growing his business. Dunlevy added, “Center for Innovation has been instrumental in helping SkySkopes get off the ground in this emerging industry.”
www.skyskopes.com
Emily O’Brien 2015 Thomas & Gayle Clifford Entrepreneur Fellow
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mily O’Brien, a UND masters student in entrepreneurship and an entrepreneur coach at the UND Center for Innovation, was named as the 2015 Thomas J. & Gayle A. Clifford Entrepreneur Fellow. “As donors, the Cliffords wanted to support up and coming entrepreneur-minded campus leaders who would benefit from support and an opportunity not otherwise available to innovate,” said Bruce Gjovig, CEO of the UND Center for Innovation Foundation. “Emily O’Brien is an ideal candidate to be the Clifford Entrepreneur Fellow because she an innovator and entrepreneur leader who is bold, courageous and has uncommon energy and vision to make change for the better,” he added. The Clifford Endowment with the UND Center for Innovation Foundation is for support of campus entrepreneurs who want to innovate and pursue opportunities to launch or expand a program, idea, or initiative and
& music festival in Chacala, Mexico – to helping local student entrepreneurs with their business ventures- to speaking on panels about entrepreneurship and innovation at symposiums in Minneapolis, Chicago, Nashville, Boston, Florida and at home in North Dakota. Emily also serves as the president of Dakota Venture Group where she invited me to attend a dinner for their first Student Venture Capital Summit. It is so impressive to see so many students involved in a world-class organization.” President Tom Clifford was recognized as one of the most effective university presidents in the nation while he served as the eighth president of UND from 1971 until 1992. Clifford’s history with UND spanned over 50 years as a UND student, accounting faculty member, business dean, vice president and president as well as a leader on several UND affiliated foundation boards. During his presidency, he supported the launch the four-year medical school, Energy
“... [She’s] an innovator and entrepreneur leader who is bold, courageous, and has uncommon energy and vision to make change for the better.” - Bruce Gjovig the support provides them an opportunity to pursue that innovation they would not otherwise have. Candidates need to be looking for opportunities to lead and create, thus making UND a better and more future focused university. Gjovig added, “Tom Clifford stressed to me to look for campus mavericks as they are the innovators and entrepreneurs who lead us into a better future. He did that many times, and I am the beneficiary of his support.” Gayle Clifford said of Emily’s fellowship, “Tom and I set up this endowment with the UND Center for Innovation Foundation to support young entrepreneurs - both men and women. UND has always generated a lot of entrepreneurial leaders - and we wanted to be able to continue that leadership.” Gayle Clifford added, “I have gotten to know Emily over the last two years and I am immensely proud of her accomplishments which are international - from helping UND alumnus Gerald Van Eeckhout with an art
and Environmental Research Center, School of Aerospace Sciences and the Center for Innovation – all of which became worldclass, multi-million dollar enterprises. He was held in high regard and esteem for his leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and service to his community, state and nation. Tom received the Sioux Award in 1982, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from UND in 2000, and was inducted into the North Dakota Roughrider Hall of Fame in 2002. Gayle A. Clifford - a 1965 UND graduate and Grand Forks native - was the first lady of UND from 1986 to 1992. Her family owned Kielty Motors in downtown Grand Forks. An entrepreneur herself, Gayle was a partner in a car dealership and owner of Thomas Leasing and Avis Rent a Car. Gayle’s passions are antiques, property development, the stock market, and being with family and friends. She has served on many boards and has developed both residential and commercial property in North Dakota, Minnesota,
and Arizona. Gayle is a firm believer in entrepreneurs, especially female entrepreneurs. Gayle was a Sioux Award winner in 1992. As an entrepreneur coach at the Center for Innovation, Emily O’Brien works with venture development, entrepreneur coaching and the entrepreneur ecosystem. She serves as a Stanford Innovation Fellow, InnovateND entrepreneur coach, as well as founding organizer of 1 Million Cups Grand Forks, Grand Forks Startup Weekend, and Autonomous Alley, an accelerator program for drone companies. O’Brien is an endorsed candidate for the North Dakota House of Representatives in District 42.
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NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID Ina Mae Rude Entrepreneur Center Norm Skalicky Tech Incubator 4200 James Ray Drive Grand Forks, ND 58203
GRAND FORKS ND PERMIT #10
Address Service Requested Phone: 701.777.3132 www.innovators.net E-mail: newsletter@innovators.net The UND Center for Innovation helps entrepreneurs, innovators, students and researchers launch new technologies, products and ventures, develop business and marketing plans, access UND talent and secure venture financing. We are a division of the UND College of Business & Public Administration.
Support Students and Entrepreneurs The success of the UND Center for Innovation is made possible by the investors in our quality programs resulting in national recognition for excellence and quality. Our programs favorably impact our future and existing entrepreneurs who will innovate, grow our economy, solve problems, and make this a better world. For more information on how to help pay it forward in our entrepreneur community please contact Bruce Gjovig or Tom Kenville.
Opportunities to Invest in the Future UND Center for Innovation Foundation - Priority Needs
• Entrepreneur Coaching for venture development
• Student Startup Programs
• Dakota Venture Group (Student Venture Fund)
• Veteran Entrepreneur Program
• Family business Initiative
School of Entrepreneurship - Priority Needs
• Student Entrepreneurs - Entrepreneur Internships
• Sponsorship of Entrepreneur Speakers and Forums
• Experiential Learning Experiences
• Professors of Entrepreneur Practice
• Professional Practice of Entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
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Bruce Gjovig Entrepreneur Coach & CEO UND Center for Innovation Foundation 701.777.3134 | bruce@innovators.net
Tommy Kenville VP Development & Rainmaker UND Center for Innovation Foundation 218.779.9950 | tom@innovators.net *Contributions to the UND Center for Innovation Foundation are tax deductible and included in your UND Foundation Giving record. *Donors may qualify for up to a 40% income tax credit with an endowment. Contact Kim Woods at kimw@undfoundation.org or 701.777.4106 for more information.