Three entrepreneurial ventures with ties to Montana State University have been selected to participate in an intensive training program, known as a HyperAccelerator, that is supported by dozens of successful entrepreneurs serving as mentors.
The three ventures with MSU ties, NanoMagnetic Solutions, Resilient Computing and SensorLogic, join two others, PestNotify and Harken Real Estate Solutions. Together, the five ventures will participate in a five-day, 50-hour training program set for Sept. 20-24.
The free program is offered by Early Stage Montana, a nonprofit organization that works with a broad group of organizations and corporations across Montana, including the 406 Labs and Blackstone LaunchPad at MSU, to accelerate the growth of the tech ecosystem in Montana. As part of the program, the five startups will work with mentors on everything from product strategy and sales plans to financial planning and fundraising strategies. The program is intended to help entrepreneurs sharpen their business plans, preparing them for faster growth. In its announcement of the selected ventures, Early Stage Montana said the goal is to create quality jobs in Montana communities.
Resilient Computing is a Bozeman-based firm creating radiation-tolerant computing solutions and building computers capable of operating in space. Brock LaMeres, professor of electrical and computer engineering in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, is its founder and chief technology officer. Resilient Computing also earned a first-place award in MSU’s second annual $50K Venture Competition, which was held virtually in April.
NanoMagnetic Solutions is a Bozeman-based technology company that designs versatile and powerful magnetic force applicators for research labs, clinical research hospitals and biotechnology companies. The company is led by Anja Kunze, assistant professor in MSU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. NanoMagnetic Solutions earned a second-place award in MSU’s inaugural $50K Venture Competition, which was held virtually in 2020.
SensorLogic is a Bozeman-based firm developing snowpack monitoring technology to better predict water availability and drought conditions. The firm has received Small Business Innovation Research funding from MSU’s TechLink Center. It also regularly hires MSU graduate students, holds programs for interns throughout the summer months and performs research in MSU’s Subzero Research Laboratory.
Resilient Computing and NanoMagnetic Solutions both also previously received MSU’s CATalyst Gap Funding. The funding is awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and managed through MSU’s Office of Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education as a way of promoting high-tech economic development statewide.
The five ventures participating in the HyperAccelerator were selected based on their performances at regional competitions held earlier this summer in Bozeman, Missoula and Billings. Dozens of entrepreneurs from around the state submitted applications for the regional competitions, and 13 were chosen to present their businesses to a panel of judges. The selected startups scored highest in areas such as the size of their market opportunity, the quality of the proposed solution, leadership potential and the likelihood of creating high-quality jobs in Montana.
Source: Three entrepreneurial ventures with MSU ties selected for HyperAccelerator program
