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Normally our TechBoise events are held on the last Wednesday of the month. This posed a few problems for the holiday season.  The last Wednesday in November is the day before Thanksgiving and the last Wednesday in December is New Years eve.

Having no wish to compete with either of those days and given how busy this time of year is, I decided to smoosh both events into one and hold the event Wednesday the 17th of December at 5:30pm at the WaterCooler. (Link to map)

The event will be sponsored by the geekiest Web 2.0 lawyer I know: Stephen M. Nipper, local trademark/patent attorney - www.iMetNipper.com (Blawg).

There will be no presenters this time, instead we are leaving the entire time open for mingling.

‘Tis the Season for Giving

Steve also had the great idea to turn this event into an unwrapped toy drive for the St. Luke’s Childrens’ Hospital.  The toys will be used by the Childrens’ Hospital and/or put into the Childrens’ Hospital’s “Santa’s Toy Box” where financially strapped families can “shop” for Christmas gifts for their sick kids.

This holiday season is going to be very cold for a lot of families around the valley, while a gift item is not required to attend the event I would highly encourage those of you who can give a little (or a lot) to contribute something.

The hospital is currently looking for the following items:

• Board books in English and Spanish
• Lift the flap board books
• I Spy or Look and Find Books
• Movies on DVD (rated G, PG, or PG-13)
• Infant rattles, stacking cups, shape sorters, balls, musical toys
• Little people (I assume this is the Fisher Price toy set not those who height challenged)
• Craft kits
• All plastic dolls
• Playing cards
• Card games
• Coloring books
• Cars, trucks
• Lego or Bionicle kits
• New or slightly used PS2 games (rated E for everybody)
• New or slightly used Wii games (rated E for everybody)
• Wii controllers / accessories
• $10 -$20 gift cards to places like Bath and Body Works, Old Navy, Walmart, Target, etc. (preferably on general print cards rather than Christmas, so they can be used year round.)

There is never a charge for the event and gifts are not required to attend.  Food and beverages will be provided. Please come and bring a friend.

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How would you like to attend a conference on the future of energy innovation and entrepreneurship? How would you also like to hear from the following speakers:

• Hon. James Woolsey Former CIA Director and Renowned Energy Expert
• Steve Bolze President, GE Power and Energy
  Woodrow Clark, II Co-Recipient of 2007 Nobel Peace Prize on Climate Change
• Jon Arnold Managing Director, Microsoft
• Michael Butler Chairman/CEO, Cascadia Capital
• David Chen Chairman, Oregon Innovation Council
• Susan Rochford VP of Energy and Sustainability, U.S. Council on Competitiveness
• Rich Walje President, Rocky Mountain Power
• Christine Gulbranson Director, Kauffman Foundation

Well you don’t have any excuse not to go because it’s being held right here in our own back yard.

Not only will this be a great event. This is great for Boise. Everyone reading this needs to be there. Sign up now.

The Northwest Energy and Innovation Summit is being held here in Boise, January Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th

You can see a full list of speakers here and the full agenda here.

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Boise based TSheets and Canadian based Freshbooks are announcing a new partnership to make TSheets time tracking capabilities fully integrate to Freshbooks accounting software.

For my readers not familiar with Freshbooks it’s a very cool invoicing software, I highly recommend checking it out.

Apparently the decision to integrate with Freshbooks is due to the overwhelming request from customers that TSheets offers some sort of invoicing capabilities.

For a full breakdown you can check out the TSheets blog or watch the bellow video.

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My favorite kind of blog posts are *copy-paste*. In that spirit I bring you the tech highlights from the Dept of Commerce’s monthly newsletter (Thanks Brian).

If you’d like to get signed up for the news letter or have a news item for it you can contact Brian Dickens brian.dickens@innovation.idaho.gov.  You can also check out their Web site for back issues and other resources http://commerce.idaho.gov/technology/.

Charge Cell Phone As You Walk…Coming 2009

(Boise) M2E Power, Inc., a renewable energy design and development company, recently announced the company is moving forward with the development of a pocket-carried charger for mobile devices such as cell phones, PDAs, and audio players. Regan Rowe, M2E’s Director of Business Development, said the company targets 2009 to have a product available.
Based on Faraday’s 177 year old principle which found that relative motion between a magnetic field and a conductor will produce an electric potential, M2E’s technology is based on a fundamental change in magnetic architecture that provides 300% to 700% more efficient generation of electricity from the kinetic energy of subtle everyday human motion.

The charger shown also has a plug in provision

A myriad of mobile electronic devices, including more than 3 billion cell phones, are currently powered by batteries that must be routinely plugged in to household or automobile outlets. Lack of sufficient battery life is the number one problem reported by cell phone users. With M2E’s pocket-carried charger, six hours of cumulative motion (walking, driving, etc.), can generate 30-60 extra minutes of cell phone talk time.
M2E’s current development is focused on prototypes for military applications and for commercial mobile electronic devices. The company’s future roadmap includes development of automotive, wind and wave power applications as well as nanochip technology. The M2E technology originated with Department of Energy-funded research at the Idaho National Labs (INL).
For more detail: http://www.m2epower.com

BSU Receives Grant in Support of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math
(Boise) The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded a $191,593 grant to Boise State University in support of STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, and Mathematics). The Idaho SySTEMic Solution, a project co-created by BSU’s colleges of engineering and education, is designed to foster scientific and mathematical literacy in young students.
PCS Edventures, a Boise based international educational company, has developed instructional materials for the Idaho SySTEMic Solution. PCS will hold educational workshops for teachers and provide ongoing support. Through experiential learning, students will become comfortable with math and science and learn how to apply their knowledge to solve real world problems.

Louis Nadelson, BSU Education Professor, Working with Teachers

Initially, the Idaho SySTEMic Solution will be implemented in selected classrooms, grades 1 to 5, at seven Meridian elementary schools. BSU researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Keynetics Recognized for Innovation
(Boise) Keynetics, Inc, the largest privately held technology company in Idaho by revenues, was recognized as Innovative Company of the Year at the Stoel Rives Idaho Innovation Awards banquet. Keynetics is strong in Tech Transfer. That is, Keynetics has a track record of introducing new products to the marketplace and launching successful new businesses that are based on its in-house developed, proprietary technologies.
Keynetics was recognized primarily for the performance of its two subsidiaries– ClickBank and Kount Inc. ClickBank is a internet retailer of ebooks and software. Kount Inc. provides fraud control solutions to e-commerce retailers to block hackers from stealing private information.
In addition, Dr. Timothy Barber, Keynetics Chief Scientist and winner of multiple patents, was recognized as Innovator of the Year and Kount Inc. was a finalist in the Innovation of the Year: Early-Stage Technology category.
For more information on Keynetics Inc., ClickBank, or Kount Inc., visit http://www.keynetics.com/ or http://www.clickbank.com/ or http://www.kount.com/ respectively.

TSheets and VengaWorks More Growing Idaho Businesses
(Meridian)TSheets provides an online time and labor management system to business owners, bookkeepers, and payroll professionals. According to CEO Matt Rissell, sales have been so good that TSheets plans to hire four additional salespeople and move to a suite of five offices and occupy 3,000 square-feet in the new VengaWorks flexible-use office building in Meridian.
Mark Gilbreath, CEO of Venga Ventures LLC, the company that owns the VengaWorks building, reports that rental interest at VengaWorks has been strong. Businesses are attracted to features like “green” LEED construction, a cyber café, the coffee bar, an on-site lounge, Cisco data and telephony services, and seminar space.
For more information on TSheets or VengaWorks, visit http://www.tsheets.com/ or http://www.vengaworks.com/ respectively.

Synoptek is Growing!
(Boise) Inc. Magazine recently ranked Synoptek as 131st on the list of the fastest growing private companies in America and as 19th on the list of the “Top 100 Business Services Companies” in America. Synoptek provides project management, software and website development, and IT infrastructure and outsourcing services. Companies rely on the experts at Synoptek to address their IT related needs thereby enabling them to focus on growing their businesses. Synoptek CEO Tim Britt states, “While many companies are off-shoring IT services, we have found that for services that address challenging business problems and require innovative solutions we get better results using development and IT service teams based in the US.”
For more information on Synoptek, visit “http://www.synoptek.com

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2008 was a busy year for serial entrepreneur, Jason Crawforth, even by Jason’s standards.

He completed the Executive MBA program at BSU.

Jason is part owner with his brother in the Pie Hole and The Lush and opened a second Pie Hole location by BSU.

He sold his business, Treetop Technologies, to MobileData Force, where he still serves on the board.

But that wasn’t enough for Jason, he had to add one more accomplishment to 2008.

Introducing the iMakeDecisions iPhone app. You can download the app for the iPhone or the iPod Touch here. You can even watch videos on how Miss Teen USA and Donald Rumsfeld use the app here.

It’s great to see local entrepreneurs, like Jason, out there trying new things.

The iPhone is definitely one of those devices that have grabbed peoples attention.  I know TSheets has an iPhone app, GroceryZen is another local iPhone app. I’m sure there’s others I don’t know about as well as well as several that I know of but are still in early stage development. Have any to add to the list?

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I have always (ok at least more recently) tried to stay positive on my posts here to TechBoise. I try to not talk about all the layoffs and bankruptcies. I even try (really hard) and avoid criticizing local politics. It is in that light that I address this next issue.  I truly hope this doesn’t come across as negative towards anyone or any group but it is something that has me concerned, not as isolated events (which I hope is the case) but as a potential trend.

Many of you are familiar with the Kickstand speed dating event I’ve referenced here a few times.  This has consistanly been a well attended event that has always received rave reviews. Last week Becky Gates, Kickstand board member, sent out the following email:

Dear Start-up Speed Dating Applicants,

Unfortunately, in order to put on Start-up Speed Dating this fall, we needed to have a minimum number of applicants to be beneficial for Kickstand, the companies and the judges. Unfortunately, we did not reach that number and will be canceling this round. We appreciate your interest and hope that you will resubmit your company information for the Spring, probably in April. So polish up your executive summaries and watch for a Kickstand announcement after the first of the year.

In and of itself this may not seem like a big deal but please keep in mind they were only looking for 10 companies.

YOU”RE TELLING ME THAT THERE AREN’T 10 BUSINESS PLANS FLOATING AROUND BOISE?????

Now there are several factors that are most likely at play here:

• Apparently there’s this little financial slowdown happening right now.
• It is an election year, people were pretty distracted.
• Kickstand doesn’t have the ability to reach everyone kicking around a new business idea.
• There are always far more people with ideas than there are with actual plans.

What has me scared.

We have more people on the market in Idaho now than we ever have before, in fact it’s even higher at the moment in Boise than it is in the rest of the state, thanks to recent layoffs. It’s hit us so quickly (although honestly it wasn’t a surprise to many of us) that the Department of Labor has said there aren’t enough jobs for everyone. (Side note to any outside companies looking to come to the valley - now’s a great time to be expanding in Boise.)

Tech sector layoffs usually result in a spike in start-ups.  This is my hope. As I’ve written before, I believe it’s the best (if not only) hope for the area. The layoffs at HP, Micron and MPC are still fresh. Severance packages have yet to run out. Many may not yet have a clear plan of attack. I would like to reiterate to everyone: now is a great time to start a company!

At Highway 12 Ventures lately, we’re seeing more quality business opportunities  than ever before in this region. The neighboring tech centers of Boulder, Salt Lake City and Portland are vibrant with exciting start-ups while Boise appears flat to down. Like Kickstand having to cancel it’s speed dating event, our deal flow by itself is not an indicator to anything.  Idaho entrepreneurs tend to bootstrap it longer than their regional counter part and probably the biggest factor is that we just don’t have the critical mass the other regions do.

What still has me optimistic.

It is my sincere hope that the Kickstand event was just ill timed. Between the shock of recent layoffs, the overall economic climate and the presidential election, local entrepreneurs just haven’t fully formed their ideas.

I hope that there are a few dozen (or more) people out there with the next great idea. With the abundance of well educated technically trained labor out there and a lack of immediate jobs I’m optimistic that many of you are contemplating starting your own gig.

In fact reports from SCORE, TechConnect, TECenter and even TECHelp are all seeing an uptick in early stage planning and ideation.  This just hasn’t translated into actionable plans…yet. If you have an idea I encourage you to start puting it on paper.

Even if you have an inkling of an idea, it’s never too late to start getting feedback.

There are several of us that are willing to talk to you and help make connections. You don’t need to have anything more than an idea. If you even think you may want to start a company please contact someone listed below:

• myself, tac@highway12ventures.com
• Rick Ritter at Idaho TechConnect, rick.ritter@idahotechconnect.com
• John Glerum at the Idaho TECenter or jglerum@boisestate.edu
• Kevin Learned at the Idaho Small Business Development Center KevinLearned@boisestate.edu
• Or anyone on Kickstand’s board

Hopefully with a little help and time we’ll start to see more of those ideas come to fruition.

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One time contributor to the blog here, Dr. Krissa Wrigley of Idaho TechConnect is still one of my main sources of leads and news items. Instead of trying to re-write her tips I think I may start a new series here called Krissa’s Korner (she’s going to kill me for this).  If you’re interested in any of these opportunities email krissa[dot]wrigley[at]idahotechconnect[dot]com

Yesterday, I received two interesting inquiries for opportunities in Boise.  Would you send them out to the TechBoise group so we can see if anyone is interested?  Thanks!

The first one is a company looking for a technical writer with significant experience writing SBIR and other related government grants.  The position can be contract or direct hire and the rates are looking pretty open.

The second one is a French graduate student in International Business looking for a Sales, Marketing or Communication internship in Boise for 6 months, starting in January.  His language skills include French, English, Japanese and some German.  He is looking for something that will round out his educational experience.  He is not requiring the internship to be a paid position.  I have his resume for anyone that is interested and would like to contact him.

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From the IBR:
Groupware Technology opens Boise offices

Groupware Technology Inc., an information technology solution provider, will expand its operations in the West with the opening of a Boise office.

The West Coast solution provider, headquartered in the Silicon Valley, has opened the new location and will recruit employees over the next several months.

Full Press Release here:

Groupware chose its office location in downtown Boise for its central location and proximity to its technology partners, including Sun Microsystems and NetApp. Mike Thompson, Groupware President and CEO stated, “Groupware is eager to become part of the Boise community and engage in the growing Boise economy.” Boise offers a wealth of professional talent and is home to a wide range of Fortune 1000 and medium sized business.

Tim Carver, Groupware General Manager for the Northwest said, “There is a need for a strong IT solution provider in Boise and our obsession with customer service excellence will be a natural fit for the Boise market. Customers in Boise will benefit from Groupware’s IT infrastructure expertise and the depth of our professional services teams in all locations.”

Technorati Tags: Groupware, Sun Microsystems, Boise,

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I Just got this in from the folks over at Kickstand. If you’ve been working on that business plan, now’s the time to pitch it (10 times) and get some great feedback.

Start-up Speed Dating, a twice yearly event sponsored by Kickstand, is a valuable learning experience for entrepreneurs. Learning ‘how’ to sell your idea, product and business will enable you to succeed in your endeavors.

WHAT IS START-UP SPEED DATING?

Following a competitive selection process, as many as 10 entrepreneurs will be chosen to participate in this educational and inspirational exercise. If your company is selected, you’ll present your pitch for 5 minutes to 10 individual investors/entrepreneurs followed by 5 minutes of feedback. You will repeat the process 10 times until you have presented to all investors. Speed Dating will allow you to receive real time feedback on your presentation and the quality of your pitch from qualified investors.

Though the executive summary is used as criteria in company selection, the investor panel will not directly evaluate this document. They will only be evaluating the verbal “pitch” offered by companies. In addition, this is not an official fund-raising forum; instead, it is a chance for companies to practice and improve the way they share their business ideas and goals with others.

The application deadline is Monday, November 3, 2008.

If you are selected, you will pitch your company during START-UP SPEED DATING on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. The top 3 presenters will then present at the regular Kickstand meeting on Thursday, November 13.

PepperShock Media Productions is donating production time for a one minute video valued at $1,000 to the winning company. The video can be used for: a pitch for investors, or a trade show loop, or a training video, or a testimonial video, or………….

Sound like fun? Go to www.kickstand.org to submit your application and get started on the process.

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While clean-tech is a bit of a buzz-word right now, when I talk about clean-tech I’m referring to the technology behind the application of alternative energy.  There seems to be an awful lot of  clean-tech happening in the state.  Granted there is A LOT of clean-tech everywhere right now, but is this something Idaho can stake a claim in?

Alternative energy is an obvious hot topic right now. In Thomas Friedman’s new book Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution–and How It Can Renew America , he proposes that major investments in clean-tech could save America’s creative economy.

Creating Clusters

In my opinion, *one of* the main reasons we don’t have a more thriving tech ecosystem here is that we never developed any tech business clusters.

Some famous examples of business clusters are:

• Hollywood = movie
• Detroit = auto
• Silicon Valley = computer

While I don’t think the Treasure Valley or Idaho could or should try and be a major business cluster of the magnitude of the above examples, there are a lot of advantages to building clusters. Clusters attract talent, more business and create more start-ups. When you have layoffs from one company, employees can find a job much easier across the street instead of having to leave the state or change professions.

The downside is when an entire industry is hurt, your whole cluster is hurt. This is why I still believe a diversified business base is best, but having a few smaller clusters will help significantly.

Salt Lake is a great example of a smaller software cluster.  While they are no where near the size of Silicon Valley they have a thriving software industry. Salt Lake also has a diversified business economy so they are not too reliant on software.

Idaho and Clean-Tech

One of the primary needs for creating technology clusters is research.  Unfortunately our Idaho colleges and universities are sorely under-funded when it comes to research. The one source of high-tech research funding we do have in the state is the Idaho National Laboratory.

While INL does a large amount of nuclear research they also do significant research around battery technology among many other areas.

One of the reasons I believe Idaho could do very well in clean-tech is that we have so many of the resources needed.

• I already mentioned nuclear and INL.
• We have plenty of wind (esp. in the SW part of the state).
• We may not have Arizona’s amount of heat and sunshine, we have more than enough sunny days.
• We have geothermal, (which provides all those great hot springs)
• We have agriculture for bio fuels.
• And lastly we have hydro (which is one of the main reasons we have relatively cheap electricity.

Wind

• XRG Wind Development Group
• Black Hawk Wind Energy (KTVB Story here) Apparently the company doesn’t have a Web site yet (at least that I could find) so I just linked to their YouTube page.

Nuclear

• INL is obviously the genesis for our nuclear heritage
• Alternative Energy Holdings has a proposal to build a facility near Bruneau
• Aeva is looking to partner with INL out in Eastern Idaho.

Solar

• Hoku Materials a subsidiary of Hoku Scientific is planning a solar plant in Southern Idaho
• Ming Solar which is located in the WaterCooler
• US Solar Holdings LLC couldn’t find a Web site for these guys either but here’s some news stories about them here here and here.
• And yes INL is playing in this space too.

Geothermal

• US Geothermal

Batteries

• R2EV llc (no Web site available yet)
• M2E Power
• INL also does significant research in this area

BioFuel

• U of I is doing research in this area
• Once again INL is also involved in this arena

I’m know I’m forgetting, couldn’t find or don’t know about at least as many developments as listed above, so please leave them in the comments or email me, tac@techboise.com.

We still have a long road ahead of us to establish a true clean-tech cluster, but I personally think we’re furthest along here than anywhere else. With some leadership, awareness and support for these smaller companies we could get there in a relatively short period of time.

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