Idahoan creates skin care products
Dermatologist founds company

Economic slump is not expected to last
The valley is coming back

Boise firm's technology could lighten load for soldiers
Tech company here could help US soldiers with a rechargable battery

Start-ups: Small start-ups thrive in Idaho but seldom b

A quick followup re last Tuesday's IRP board meeting after a note from last Thursday's IEDA meeting...

IEDA is the state "trade association" for economic development & has some serious, committed, passionate talent working for our communities statewide [www.ieda.biz]. Entrepreneurial development is slowly getting on their radar screen. [Even nationally, economic development tends to focus on business attraction/recruitment, much less on business retention/expansion, and even less on business creation.] But the typical IEDA members ARE interested, so we need to keep cultivating friendships with Idaho's economic developers. (They would be ideal to carry the entrepreneurial "gospel" across the state... and it's fundable. More re $$ in future posts...)

The most interesting part of Thursday's IEDA meeting was a presentation by Ms. Brenda Deeley of Porter Novelli, a big-time "Madison Avenue" marketing/PR outfit, who BVEP engaged to get Idaho's name out there. They are doing this through sharing great Idaho stories. If you've noticed an upsurge in national stories that refer to Idaho or Idaho businesses, you'll know they've been busy. However, the biggest positive impact from PN's Brenda Deeley (and George Medici - who apparently loves Dawson-Taylor) may not be attracting firms. [I'll explain after the jump...]

Idaho Rural Partnership Board meeting on Tuesday focused heavily on encouraging entrepreneurship. (With Nancy Bergmann as chair, are you surprised?) They have a task force that's entrepreneur-driven (much like the emerging Idaho Innovation Alliance ["I2A"]). I found their desire to partner - with everyone - quite promising!

Entrepreneurs Brice Sloan [www.sloanfencing.com] and Ed Meyer were a big hit, even without any videos of Ed's devices that make, um, "organic fertilizer" [www.rodenator.com]. Their passion and insight went a long way to selling the attendees on what entrepreneurs believe is needed. #1 was mentoring. How do we connect people in distant areas with the right advice???

Some of you may be familiar with Silicon Valley tech gossip blog Valley Wag. Normally Valley Wag wouldn't have much interest to or in Treasure Valley residents, but taking a departure from their own valley they posted some commentary on Appleton's and his refusal of his yearly bonus.

Micron, a memory-chip manufacturer, had a bad year. The company lost millions of dollars and laid off over 1,000 employees. Because of this, CEO Steve Appleton turned down his yearly bonus.

This weeks Kickstand should be good:

Is Idaho REALLY Different???

VC's will discuss what they see that is different in Idaho when it comes to deals and financing of deals.

Nov. 8th 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Powerhouse - 621 South 17th

SPECIAL TREAT & SURPRISE for all Entrepreneurs

I'm not sure what the special treat is; if it's the event or if there's something else. Either way if you're a local entrepreneur who's even thinking about funding you'll want to be there.