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Round Two Deadline:
Monday, February 15th

December 9, 2009 -- Sixteen ideas with the potential to be profitable business ventures were recently advanced to Round Two of the IDEA Competition. Round One of the competition closed November 30 and judges reviewed all submissions the second week of December.

This year, the field which started with 66 registrants, narrowed to 16 winners. "We received applications from all over the region – Roseau, Argyle, Williams, Fosston, Warroad, Bagley, McIntosh, Leonard, Goodridge, Waubun, Leonard, Bemidji, Thief River Falls, and Ada, among other communities," said Michelle Landsverk, Project Coordinator. "We were extremely pleased with the quality of all the applications that we saw this year. Judging by the applications that we received, it is obvious that this truly is a region of innovators."

Applications for the second round of the competition are due by February 15, 2010. From there, finalists will be selected to compete in the final round. The final judging will take place May 4. Up to five winners will each receive $10,000 to advance their innovative idea.

The main goal of the IDEA competition is to assist the most promising local entrepreneurs in the commercialization of innovative products, processes and deliveries by connecting them to the best resources available, along with access to the capital it takes to launch a successful venture.

Innovators who missed the entry deadline of November 30 are encouraged to continue refining their business ideas and enter the competition next year in September.

Round Two Deadline:
Monday, February 15th


Save the date for the second annual Marketplace for Entrepreneurs. Find more information here.

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The type of innovative thinking that drives business creation often comes down to the vision of a single individual. This strategy (IDEA) focuses on uncovering some of the most promising ideas, and providing them with the support needed to be successful in the marketplace.

Wade Fauth, Grants Director,
Blandin Foundation


The whole purpose of IDEA is to keep Northwest Minnesota supplied with innovative entrepreneurs...the kind of entrepreneurs that earned our reputation as one of the country's premier manufacturing centers.


Marty Sieve, Northwest Minnesota Foundation,
Vice President for Programs

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