TechRanch

Clicking the 'Accept' Invitation in a Social Network

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:45:46 -0700

I get my share of Linked In and Spoke invitations - some of which I accept, some of which I don't. It's always a bit of concern for me when I don't accept an invitation. I hope I am not telling someone, by the act of non-action, that I am snubbing them but I suspect that is the case. I find it difficult to balance the requests from people I know very well and trust to those I don't know as well. I'm a believer in that we are partially defined by the company we keep. While I normally don't...

Montana .Net User Group Meeting

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:31:22 +0000

Please join us Tuesday, November 10th, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm in the TechRanch conference room, when TechRanch will host a .Net User Group meeting. Joe Walkuski, Founder/CEO of TEXbase will be discussing Sitefinity CMS, an ASP.Net based content management system that is a product of Telerik (one of the leading component providers for .Net and Silverlight).Be sure to attend as we will be giving away a version of Window Server 2008 Web, Windows Vista Ultimate and a full license to Telerik's control suite. Please RSVP to techranch@techranch.org by Tuesday, November 10th, 2009. ...

Organizations like TechRanch are Essential to Stop Montana's 'Brain Drain'

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:52:31 -0700

It's always nice when a local venture gets a little national attention. That's what recently happened to Montana State University and the TechRanch west of the MSU campus. Entrepreneur Magazine named MSU one of 10 universities that are notably proactive in promoting new businesses that stem from university research. MSU has posted some significant successes in this area - often with the help of the TechRanch, an MSU Foundation-sponsored venture located in the 90-acre Tech Park just off College Street. TechRanch is a non-profit business incubator that helps entrepreneurs start up new businesses that provide skilled jobs. It does so...

Selling and Sourcing in China

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:45:13 +0000

Please join us Tuesday, November 10th, at noon in the TechRanch conference room, when Nelson Dong of Dorsey & Whitney, LLC will discuss commercializing practices in the Asian market. Nelson will cover the following: * Establishing a market for Montana products in China * Sourcing of components or commodities from China * Wholly owned greenfield manufacturing operations in China* Legal issues in planning to do business with customers, resellers or vendors in China Please RSVP by Monday, November 9th to plee@techranch.org. ...

Match the Tactic to the Venture

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:30:34 -0700

I'm an avid reader of the Business 2.0, Wired, Inc., and an occasional reader of a handful of other popular business-tech press both online and off. At times I feel like a Luddite. I only carry a flip phone because my wife demands it. I spend so much time in front of computer every day that I don't want to look at one the other 14 hours of the day. My spinning bike (yes, it's indoor cycling season in Montana already) has no digital readout. If I need to check my cadence, I count the revolutions in 10 seconds and...

Blueprint for Incubator Fundraising

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:24:24 +0000

Wednesday, October 21st, at noon in the TechRanch conference room, TechRanch will host an NBIA Webinar titled "Blueprint for Incubator Fundraising." Presenter Chuck Stein, of Strategic Development Services has raised more than $25 million for incubation programs. He will describe the five common denominators of successful fundraising campaigns and explain how to apply them in your circumstances. Secure your program's future by learning proven techniques for raising money to build, expand or operate various incubation projects. * Present a specific investment opportunity to a potential sponsor * Utilize and recruit high-profile, top community leadership for a campaign * Identify a...

Growing and Funding a Cultural Entrepreneurship Venture

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:25:17 +0000

Tuesday, October 20 at noon in the TechRanch conference room, please join us for a discussion about who cultural entrepreneurs are and how they differ from other business. Learn how they are started, grown, and financed. Alice Loy from the Global Center for Cultural Entrepreneurship will be the presenter. Please RSVP to Prairie at plee@techranch.org. ...

Green is Your New Favorite Color

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:52:36 +0000

Please join us, Thursday, October 22nd, at noon in the TechRanch conference room, Kath Williams from Kath Williams + Associates will discuss business practices you can implement to your existing company for new marketing twists.Kath will cover:~What you are currently doing with your routine operation that will allow you to market your business as green.~How to weed through companies (i.e. potential clients and vendors) that say they are green but aren't. AKA Greenwash Companies.~What you can do to cut costs to become more green or eco-friendly.Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 20th to plee@techranch.org....

2009 Annual Recognition and Holiday Event

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:51:56 +0000

Please join us for our Annual Recognition and Holiday Event. The ceremony will take place at TechRanch Thursday, December 3rd from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Hors D'oeuvres and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Prairie at plee@techranch.org. More information to follow. ...

Quarterly Networking Event

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:48:17 +0000

Please join us for our after-hours networking series on Tuesday, October 13th from 5:00-7:00pm, at Pub 317. You will meet TechRanch board members, client companies, and staff. This fun, relaxed event is open to all and is a great way to meet and mingle with business and community leaders. There will be door prizes so bring your business card to win. Please RSVP by October 12th to Prairie at plee@techranch.org. ...