Ecosystem North

This month we talk with Precious Drew from gBETA, St. Cloud. We talk about the inspiring story that has led her to her current role at gBETA, the work they have done to expand their accelerator to Greater Minnesota, and her wonderful TEDx Talk.

This week we talk with Sean E. Williams from RAEDI. We talk about Sean's eclectic journey to become an ecosystem builder in the Rochester Area.

This week we talk with Yvonne Cariveau the Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at MSU Mankato. Yvonne shares her invaluable insight as an entrepreneur as well as a teacher of entrepreneurship. We talk about her amazing background and why surfing the PERFECT metaphor for entrepreneurship.

This week we talk with Christine Beech the Executive Director of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. Christine talks about her early career in the military and as an entrepreneur as well as her work with students at Saint Mary’s to become the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Each week, Ecosystem North shines a spotlight on the people and organizations that support our region’s entrepreneurs, uncovering the real story of what inspires and drives them to be entrepreneurial champions.

This week we talk with Chris Schad from Destination Medical Center. Chris talks about his work with Destination Medical Center as well as his experience as an entrepreneur in Rochester.

Each week, Ecosystem North shines a spotlight on the people and organizations that support our region’s entrepreneurs, uncovering the real story of what inspires and drives them to be entrepreneurial champions.

This week we talked with Diane Rucker of University Enterprise Labs. Diane talks about your journey as an ecosystem builder and the work she does at UEL.

Each week, Ecosystem North shines a spotlight on the people and organizations that support our region’s entrepreneurs, uncovering the real story of what inspires and drives them to be entrepreneurial champions.

This week we talk with Travis Wilson of Wilson Career Coaching. Travis talks about his journey and the variety of his life experiences that brought him to leadership coaching, his passion for working with leaders, and working with Seth Godin.

Each week, Ecosystem North shines a spotlight on the people and organizations that support our region’s entrepreneurs, uncovering the real story of what inspires and drives them to be entrepreneurial champions.

This week we talk with CEO of Hill Capital Corporation. Hill Capital partners with business owners with capital and community without taking away the autonomy to run their business. Patrick talks about his background, Hill Capital’s Investment Thesis, why he “gave first” with 1 Million Cups Eden Prairie, and his other job as a ski instructor.

This week we talk with Frank Jaskulke, the Vice President of Intelligence for Medical Alley Association. Medical Alley Association is “the central nervous system for the most diverse and influential healthcare community in the world.”. Frank talks about his background, the unparalleled healthcare startup ecosystem of Minnesota, and his love of….fountain pens!

This week we hear from Neela Mollgaard, the Executive Director of Launch MN. Launch Minnesota is a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation. Neela talks about growing up in Minnesota, her work with Red Wing Ignite, her current role as at Launch, and her hopes for the future of entrepreneurship and innovation.