Gjovig’s Jargon

March 2015

UND School of Entrepreneurship Engineering and Mines Join Pathways to Innovation

Entrepreneur-minded faculty from the newly established School of Entrepre-neurship and the School of Engineering

and Mines are leading the creation of a new culture of entrepreneurship on the University of North Dakota campus. To help facilitate change that will make a difference for current and future students, UND was recently desig-nated a Pathways for Innovation institution.

Pathways for Innovation is part of the Na-tional Science Foundation-funded National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innova-tion (Epicenter), which is directed by Stan-ford University and the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA). The program is designed to help institutions

transform the way learning happens, giving students the technical skills, the tools and the attitudes they need to turn ideas into practical solutions to solve real problems.

Interim Director of the School of Entre-preneurship Dr. Tim O’Keefe, and Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Dr. Brian Tande, are UND’s team leaders for the Path-ways initiative at UND. They will be a part of the next cohort of schools selected to par-ticipate in this peer-based program.

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." - Henry David Thoreau, American writer and naturalist

EB-5: A Year of Growth

40 Under 40 Recipients

CongratsEmily O’Brien

Page 2 - 3 Page 4 - 5 Page 6 - 7

2 Mar 2015

In February, 2014, Mickayla Zinsli was selected to lead the North Dakota/Minnesota EB-5 Regional Center, a position previously held by Jordan Schuetzle. A Minnesota native, Zinsli earned dual

bachelor’s degrees from University of North Dakota in management and entrepreneurship. She also held positions within the Dakota Venture Group, was a technology-transfer intern at the Center for Innovation, and a marketing intern for the start-up company Ntrac-tive. Most recently, Zinsli worked at the Department of Homeland Security’s Center of Innovation at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where she focused on innovation through public-private partnerships within the U.S. federal government. Her demonstrated leadership ability adds to an already strong EB-5 team.

The regional center staff and Center for Innovation Foundation board member Jerry Van Eeckhout traveled to China in March to promote Ultra Green. As a result of the trip, $2.5 million from Chinese EB-5 investors was secured. Since its inception, the regional center has helped secure $80 million for two North Dakota companies, which will account for a combined total of 2,650 jobs new jobs in the state.

In May, the United States Customs and Immigration Service (US-CIS) approved an amendment to broaden the regional center’s original designation. The regional center is now preapproved to operate in the entire state of Minnesota. As a result of the amendment, the name was formally changed to the North Dakota/Minnesota EB-5 Regional Center – emphasizing the joint focus on both North Dakota and Min-nesota. The amendment also adds additional industry sectors, including: accommodation and food services, construction, health care and social assistance, and transportation and warehousing. This expansion will allow the regional center to serve companies previously unable to take advantage of the EB-5 program because of their location or industry.

The regional center received three I-526 petition approvals from the USCIS in September. These approvals represent major accomplishments for the project, investor, and regional center. With this approval, EB-5 investors are granted their conditional green cards and $1.5 million was released to the project ($500,000 per investor). While this is a milestone well deserving of a celebration, the approvals really mark the beginning of the investment and immigration process, which will likely take an additional three to four years.

In October, the regional center approved Stonehaven Senior Hous-ing Community into its portfolio. Stonehaven is located in Eagan, MN, making it the regional center’s first EB-5 project in Minnesota. Stonehaven marks the State of Minnesota’s first EB-5 project, which the regional center is excited to lead.

The regional center coordinated a trip to China in November, primarily to introduce the Stonehaven Senior Housing project to the center’s agent network. Multiple seminars and one-on-one meetings with potential investors took place during the trip.

Finally, just in time to brighten a cold December day, the regional center received another I-526 approval. The processing time for this approval was just 4 months, which is notable since the national average government processing time is 14.7 months!

North Dakota/Minnesota EB-5 Regional Center benefited from a year of transition and growth. Entering 2015, the regional center is well-positioned for another successful year.

A Year of Transition and Growth for the North Dakota/Minnesota EB-5 Regional Center

Mar 2015 3

North Dakota/Minnesota EB-5 team from left to right: Jeff Jang, Jenny Wang, Mickayla Zinsli, and Jerry Van Eeckhout

Meeting with partners in Beijing

Shanghai skyline at night

4 Mar 2015

With an Altivan drone, left to right: Tommy Kenville, John Perry, Peter Burwell, Dan Daffinrud, Brennen Bergdahl, Emily O’Brien, and Kevin Lunke.

Ashley Rae worked long hours for all the wrong reasons when she was in her twenties. Although she continues

to work long hours as owner of a consulting firm and a clothing store, as well as head of a nonprofit, her motivation has evolved. It’s less about money or professional advancement now, and more about constantly improving herself so she can inspire and help the people around her. “That’s what life is about,” she said.

Rae’s first exposure to the world of entrepre-neurship came in 2003 when she launched a Twin Cities-based web design company named Brand Logic, focused on providing services to small businesses and the real estate industry. Changes in her personal life later motivated her to revamp the company with a new focus – delivering consulting services to both aspiring and established businesswomen.

“I really want to inspire and empower women and allow them to see that anything they want to do, including owning a business, is possible,” Rae expressed.

As part of Brand Logic’s services, Rae dedi-cates much of her time to advising and guid-ing women (and some men) who are starting businesses or need a little help with their es-tablished business. Additionally, she recently began a mentorship program targeted at col-lege and high school students, and will soon be collaborating with the University of North Dakota’s School of Entrepreneurship.

Early last year, Rae decided she needed to set yet another example for women entrepreneurs. She purchased a local clothing store, MODE, which had been struggling, turned it around in less than a year, and then resold it. “If I’m the

person trying to inspire women to take that leap and follow their dreams, then I want to lead by example,” she explained.

Rae’s passion for entrepreneurship, and life in general, is immediately evident when she speaks. She shares that passion with the others at local events like 1 Million Cups, an organi-zation developed to engage entrepreneurs in communities around the world, and The Cope Well Foundation, a nonprofit she founded to provide emotional support for cancer survivors like herself. She is also active in the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, a non-profit group dedicated to the growth, learning, and development of young professionals within the region.

Rae plans to continue her focus on service and setting an example for others to follow, but is open to other opportunities as they arise. She stated, “I never want to look back on life and say, ‘What if I would have taken that opportunity?’”

For more information:Ashley Raehervoiceherbrand.comcopewell.org701.738.4897

Ashley RaeBrand LogicMODEThe Cope Well Foundation

Progress Report

Harvest Fund I, LLLP recently an-nounced its most recent investment, Altavian. The UAS company is

based in Gainsville, Florida. Altavian’s mission is to revolutionize the geospatial industry with precision mapping and inspection technology using drones. Harvest Fund worked on due diligence over the past several months in con-junction with Burwell Enterprises, which also invested in Altavian. Part of the due diligence process included a trip to Altavian’s headquar-ters in Florida to see a product demonstration and a presentation. Altavian is seeking part-nerships with companies in North Dakota, such as ComDel Innovation, to ultimately bring more employment opportunities to the state.

About Harvest Fund

Harvest Fund Partners, LLC was orga-nized in July, 2009, as a new venture between DVG, Inc., and Evergreen

Investment Management. Designed as anoth-er unprecedented opportunity for University of North Dakota students, Harvest Fund I, LLLP (HFI) continues the innovative work of Dakota Venture Group as the first ever, com-pletely student run for-profit venture fund in the nation. HFI invests in high-growth, early stage ventures focusing on the primary sec-tors of the region – medical, technology, and energy. Harvest Fund’s mission is threefold: providing return on investment, providing economic stimulus to the region/country, and building future talent.

Harvest Fund Center For Innovation Tenant and Employee Recognized by Prairie

Business MagazineAnnual List of Top 40 Professionals Under the Age of 40 is Released

Mar 2015 5

Center For Innovation Tenant and Employee Recognized by Prairie

Business Magazine

Fargo SBIR Workshop Scheduled

Tyler Okerlund has only been work-ing at the UND Center for Inno-vation since March of last year, but

his impact as director of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Busi-ness Technology Transfer (STTR) programs has already been significant. He previously worked as a procurement manager for the North Dakota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Grand Forks, where in 2013 he helped secure more than $24 mil-lion in federal and state contracts for small businesses.

According to Okerlund, helping small businesses navigate the SBIR/STTR federal grant application process can be challenging. “It’s often difficult understanding how things are done at the state and federal level,” he said. But it can also be rewarding, Okerlund added. “Securing a federal or state contract is very competitive. So when the award notice becomes available, and you see that someone you helped has landed a thousand- or million-dollar contract, just knowing you were a part of that effort makes you feel very good.”

Okerlund’s credentials are extensive. He is the only individual in North Dakota certified by the Association of Procurement Techni-cal Assistance Centers (APTAC), a national organization of procurement professionals working to help local businesses compete successfully in the government marketplace. Okerlund earned the certification in less than a year due to his experience. He has been in-volved in procurement and contracting for 14 years, including time with the United States Navy and the North Dakota Army National

Guard, and as an employee of the Depart-ment of Defense at the Grand Forks AFB.

Okerlund also provides entrepreneur coaching at the Center, “Whether I’m work-ing with an established businesses or a startup, my job is to help the venture grow,” he said. “I want to see (entrepreneurs) succeed.”

In addition to his experiential qualifica-tions, Okerlund holds a master’s in business administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck and a bachelor’s in business ad-ministration from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He recently helped launch 1 Million Cups in Grand Forks, a weekly gathering for entrepreneurs, and is chapter adviser for UND’s Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

For more information:Tyler Okerlundwww.innovators.nettyler@innovators.net701.777.6623

Tyler OkerlundNorth Dakota SBIR/STTR Director

Entrepreneur CoachUND Center for Innovation

The North Dakota SBIR program at the UND Center for Innovation will host an SBIR/STTR Cost Proposal

and Phase I Overview workshop on April 9, 2015, at the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) Skills and Technology Center in Fargo. Entrepreneurs and inno-vators who attend the workshop will learn how to access federal funds through the SBIR program. The one-day workshop will be pre-sented by nationally-known SBIR consultant Jim Greenwood of Greenwood Consulting.

Others joining the workshop roster include U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and Javier Saade, associate administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Investment and Innovation. Senator Heitkamp is a member of the U.S. Commit-tee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Saade leads the SBA’s Small Business Invest-ment Company (SBIC) program along with the SBIR/STTR programs.

Each year, eleven federal agencies are re-quired to allocate a percentage of their bud-gets for SBIR and STTR awards that enable small businesses to participate in research and development (R&D) activities with commer-cialization potential. Greenwood’s workshop includes an overview of this highly competi-tive program and focuses on the creation of a strong cost proposal. This knowledge is es-sential for individuals interested in competing for a share of the millions in federal funding awarded to small businesses each year.

For more information:Tyler Okerlundwww.innovators.nettyler@innovators.net701.777.6623

Annual List of Top 40 Professionals Under the Age of 40 is ReleasedLearn How to Win Federal Grants and Contracts for Research and Development and Profit from Commercialization

6 Mar 2015

Grand Forks County Awards Contract to Study Sensor Range Feasibility

Grand Forks County (N.D.) and the Base Realignment Impact Commit-tee (BRIC) selected a team led by Jef-

frey Donohoe Associates to prepare a feasibility analysis for a sensor test, training, develop-ment, certification and calibration range, as part of efforts by both the county and BRIC to support and expand the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sector. Grand Forks County has a well-established UAS sector, and a sensor range will help foster the industry by helping large and small companies increase techno-logical advancement and the development of new products.

North Dakota is one of six test sites in the United States selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for UAS research, and the test site is headquartered in Grand Forks County. The sensor range is expected to offer companies in the UAS sector opportunities to evaluate sensors using a variety of platforms, including large, midsize and small UAS.

Grand Forks County Commissioner John Schmisek, said, “Grand Forks County and the

state of North Dakota have long supported the growth of the UAS sector as a critical economic development focus. We see the development of a sensor range as another opportunity to sup-port the UAS sector while expanding technol-ogy advancement and economic development in the region. The potential exists to attract UAS and sensor developers and manufacturers to Grand Forks County. The Jeffrey Donohoe Associates study will help us determine key characteristics that would make a sensor range attractive to public and private sector users.”

Jeffrey Donohoe Associates (JDA) is a lead-ing economic development consulting firm, with extensive experience in helping com-munities create economic development op-portunities. The JDA team also includes Infin-ity Development Partners of New Braunfels, TX, and Unmanned Applications Institute International (UAII) of Grand Forks, ND. Infinity is leading the development of Grand Sky, the nation’s first UAS-focused business park, in Grand Forks County. UAII develops UAS-related training programs.

Congratulations Emily O’Brien

Emily O’Brien, a University of North Dakota senior majoring in business ad-ministration in entrepreneurship and

an entrepreneur coach at the UND Center for Innovation, was recently awarded an Ethel Tor-reson Stone Woman Entrepreneur Fellowship.

“Ethel set up an endowment to support women entrepreneurs,” explained Bruce Gjo-vig, director and entrepreneur coach at the Center for Innovation, “and she wished for her funds to support entrepreneur coaching for women entrepreneurs, entrepreneur internships to help students and young women entrepre-neurs, and to support entrepreneur networks to

2015 Ethel Torreson Stone Woman Entrepreneur Fellow

Mar 2015 7

WelcomeSmartC2

SmartC2 is a new North Dakota company focused on serving the business needs of light aviation companies. Its products can be used for manned or unmanned aircraft. SmartC2 offers the VirtualAirBoss, a browser-based soft-ware system to help owners and pilots manage data for commercial aviation businesses begin-ning with customer calls, continuing through planning and scheduling crews, equipment and payloads, and concluding with invoicing.

Stuart Rudolph and Ja-

net Ahlgren chose to incorporate SmartC2 in North Dakota because of the business friendly environment, the high quality of the local aviation-oriented workforce, and most importantly the local lifestyle and values that foster integrity, a strong work ethic, and com-mitment to excellence. SmartC2 located its business in the UND Center of Innovation’s Skalicky Tech Incubator for its proximity to the UND Aerospace Program and other en-

trepreneurs who are passionate about creating business value from their vision.

SmartC2’s employees are motivated, self-directed, and collaborative. It is not unusual to see them working at all hours to support customers from coast to coast and beyond.

Sometimes you have to step outside of the person you've been, and remember the person you were meant to be, the person you wanted to be, the person you are."

-- H.G. Wells, British author

broaden women entrepreneurs’ exposure to career opportunities through entrepreneurship as well as forums, mentoring, and networking. O’Brien is a perfect fit for this entrepreneur fellowship.”

Ethel Torreson Stone was 25 years old when she opened Torreson Oil in Grand Forks in 1938. To learn more about the oil business, Ethel joined the Northwest Petroleum Associ-ation in the 1940s. Demonstrating her leader-ship ability in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she was the first and only woman to ever serve on the board. She was an active member of several community organizations

and was the first woman pilot in Grand Forks when she secured her license in 1947. Upon her death in 2007 at age 94, the Ethel Tor-reson Stone Entrepreneur Endowment was established through an estate gift of $400,000. A suite in the Ina Mae Rude Entrepreneur Center is named for Ethel and her mother, both gas station entrepreneurs.

As an entrepreneur coach at the Center for Innovation, where she has interned since December of 2013, O’Brien plans, researches, prepares, and writes business, marketing and commercialization plans for clients. She also serves as an InnovateND coach, guid-

ing entrepreneurs toward future growth and development with their business ideas for the statewide competition.

O’Brien is also involved with 1 Million Cups, the Greater Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program, and the Grand Forks Herald Advisory Board. She will graduate from UND in May of 2015.

8 Mar 2015

Ina Mae RudeEntrepreneur CenterNorm Skalicky Tech Incubator4200 James Ray DriveGrand Forks, ND 58203

Address Service Requested

Phone: 701.777.3132www.innovators.netE-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.

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Support Students and Entrepreneurs

UND Center for Innovation Foundation - Priority Needs • Entrepreneur Coaching • EB-5 Program/ Foreign Direct Investment • Angel Investor Education/ Networks • International Entrepreneurship • Entrepreneurs-in-ResidenceSchool of Entrepreneurship - Priority Needs • Student Entrepreneurs - Entrepreneur Internships • Sponsorship of Entrepreneur Speakers and Forums • Dakota Venture Group (Student Venture Fund) • Experiential Learning Experiences • Professors of Entrepreneur Practice • Professional Practice of Entrepreneurship

Opportunities to Invest in the FutureBruce GjovigEntrepreneur Coach & CEO UND Center for Innovation Foundation 701.777.3134 | bruce@innovators.net

Tommy KenvilleVP Development 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.

The success of the UND Center for Innovation is made possible by previous investors in our quality programs resulting in national recognition for excellence and quality. Our programs favorably impact 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.