Image via Scott Peyron & Associates

Have you been wringing your hands, refreshing @techboise, wondering what we have up our sleeve for this month's event? Oh, you're not? You should be! This Wednesday we'll be joined by Jay Larsen, Founder and CEO and Rich Raimondi, Chairman of the newly formed Idaho Technology Council , as they share with us the story of their formation and, most importantly, their vision for the future of technology in Idaho. Think of Idaho Technology Council as TechBoise's older sibling. You know, the one without stickers on his laptop. As always, we'll be meeting the last Wednesday, February 24, 5:30pm, at the Watercooler. (Link to map)

Jay Larsen founded the ITC after the hugely successful Utah Technology Council, and brought some of Idaho's best tech companies on board. If you're unfamiliar with the ITC Board of Directors, there are some names on there you might recognize. They've put together a solid group of technology veterans, as well as some promising young founders, to further their mission:

"The Idaho Technology Council’s mission is to become the premier member-driven technology association dedicated to fostering the growth of technology companies in the state of Idaho, primarily in the areas of information technology, agriscience, and energy. The ITC provides a valuable forum for industry, research, educators, investors, and government throughout the state. It also advocates for creating a strong technology ecosystem and a high quality, high paid workforce. "

Sounds like a worthy goal, and one that we can get behind. So, while TechBoiseans are in the trenches creating the technologies to build and sustain Idaho's technology core, these guys are doing the high-level stuff, helping to build the relationships, partnerships, and policies that make it all possible.

Special thanks to TechBoise's longtime friends Melanie Rubocki and Eric Bjorkman at Perkins Coie for providing pizza and frosty beverages!

Mark Rivers, the founder of the WaterCooler, Boise's groundbreaking small business accelerator and creativity center, announced today that a new fund will be made available to help fuel the growth of emerging companies. Rivers has launched a $50,000 Prototype and Equipment Grant (PEG) Fund. With this initiative, new and growing WaterCooler resident businesses can receive funding help to build or research a technology, invention or piece of equipment.

TechBoise wanted to bring to your attention the 'Tech Jobs' and 'Tech Talent' tabs. From time to time, we come across tech jobs that some in the TechBoise community may find interesting. We'll do our best to post them, but also strongly encourage you to post any jobs you have or are aware of.

Likewise, post your tech talents - who knows, maybe you'll have the exact skills someone needs.

The TechBoise Community is here for you. Let's populate those tabs!

If you are interested in learning more about the federal grant process, specifically the SBIR/STTR programs, the Idaho Department of Commerce will be holding a workshop September 9th.

The workshop will cover the basics of federal grants, including what they are, who they are for and if they are right for your business. You'll also learn how to search for topics to help your business grow and succeed.

Details:
Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Idaho Department of Commerce

What would you do with 54 hours? TechBoise hopes that you sign up to be extra productive with those hours and join us at Startup Weekend Boise November 13 - 15 at the WaterCooler.

In addition to some really cool people and great networking, as an attendee of Startup Weekend Boise, you get to be part of a team that finds an idea on Friday night and by the time Sunday night rolls around - be ready to launch a company.