Seizing Opportunity in a Recession, Allergy Amulet, and Twin Cities Startup Week
Last month we wrote about the history of local startups that were formed during a recession and went on to success, including local unicorn Jamf. The conversation quickly turned to what that means for founders and investors. Starting Up in a Downturn The idea is that while many startups are beat down by strong headwinds, those that are […]
New Business Preservation Act
On March 19, 2020, a bill proposing the New Business Preservation Act was submitted to the Senate that seeks to drive economic activity, innovation, and job growth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn. The New Business Preservation Act will provide equity funding for new businesses, with larger allocations directed to […]
Where to Invest in the Midwest: Venture Across Asset Classes [updated]
Over 10,700 venture-backed companies received a combined $136.5 billion in funding in 2019, and the year saw double the exit value of 2018.[i] As stocks, real estate investments, and venture capital reach record highs, what are investors thinking about where to invest? The answer depends on the type of investor: Large funds such as university […]
September: Great North Labs Startup Ecosystem Kickoff Recap, Twin Cities Startup Week
Great North Labs Startup Ecosystem Kickoff “It doesn’t take a lot of capital with early-stage tech companies to make a big impact.” – Ryan Weber The Great North Labs Startup Ecosystem Kickoff brought together successful entrepreneurs and innovators to learn about the current state of the tech and investment ecosystem and network with like-minded professionals. 25 speakers, 6 portfolio […]
July: Pitchly, ForwardFest, and Where to Invest in the Midwest
Great North Labs’s July Update Where to Invest in the Midwest At Great North Labs we are constantly making the case for investing in venture capital in the upper Midwest. Skepticism ranges from the size of the funds here, to the funding opportunities of the region, to the value of venture itself. GNL partner Pradip […]
Where to Invest in the Midwest: Venture Across Asset Classes
More than 8,000 venture-backed companies received a combined $85 billion in funding in 2017, representing the highest annual total since 2000.[i] As stocks, real estate investments, and venture capital reach record highs, what are investors thinking about where to invest? The answer depends on the type of investor: Large funds such as university endowments, pension […]
Digital Manufacturing and Logistics
Can the Upper Midwest drive digital innovation in manufacturing and logistics? Legacy Manufacturing Hubs Manufacturing and farming ecosystems in the US and around the world have developed around a combination of the following ingredients: raw materials (minerals, crops), energy (electric, hydro, wind, solar), logistics (bays/ports, rivers, roads), talent/labor pools, and viable operating economics. A combination […]
May: Team Genius, IoT, and the Future of Everything
The Industrial Internet is the future- and it’s being built now. IoT and Analytics are transforming industry, and who know industry like the upper Midwest? Add to the decades of institutional experience a community of educated tech adopters, then just add water (liquid capital) and stir. BAM! Forget Silicon Valley, this is Silicon Lakes. Read […]
Healthcare Innovation
Healthcare Today Some of the smartest minds work in healthcare, life sciences and biopharma. Yet the healthcare sector struggles to bring innovation into its ecosystem. The pace of innovation adoption has been much greater in other sectors, including in communication (Facebook, Skype), learning (Google, YouTube, Coursera), shopping (Amazon), personal finance (PayPal), and entertainment (Netflix). This […]