Paying for Good Ideas

Inventors alert! Need $10,000 to get that idea off the ground? Want to be an entrepreneur? Four entrepreneurs got help from the IDEA competition this week when they were announced as winners in a contest to assist promising entrepreneurs.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s 2009 Regional Summit at U of M Crookston Tuesday was an “innovation celebration” that included the announcement of the winners of the inaugural IDEA competition (Ingenuity Drives Entrepreneur Acceleration), which is sponsored by several organizations and higher ed institutions. Two of the four winners of the initial 61 entrants, are from Bemidji, one is from Bagley and the other is headquartered in East Grand Forks. They each receive $10,000.

Bemidji's Winners
The forte Keyboard Company, owned by veterinarian Eric Thorsgard and located in Bemidji, will be launching two new keyboard instruments – the forte and condensed keyboards. These keyboards will offer an alternative to people who want to play an instrument that is easier to learn than the piano.

Ultralight Soaring Aviation, Inc, owned by David and Bonnie Ekstrom, is located in Bemidji, MN. The company is launching the StartStick,™ a cost effective, light weight, self-contained energy pack, which provides all the power needed to start 4-8 cylinder piston engine aircraft.

Information about this year's winners and next year's competition is posted at IDEA competition online. Get you thinking cap on and your plan together--registration for the next round begins September 1, 2009.