July 26, 2018 Newsletter

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Montana High Tech News

Tech leaders gather in Bozeman for July 5 CEO Roundtable and Member Reception

140 tech leaders gathered at Greg & Susan Gianforte's home in Bozeman for the July 5, 2018, Montana High Tech Business Alliance member reception. Members traveled from across the state, including Billings, Rocky Boy, Polson, Hamilton, Helena, and Missoula to connect with other tech leaders. Photos by Katy Spence.

View the photo album on our website or on Facebook.

View the photo album on our website

Connect: New member and Ruffato Business Startup Challenge winner Storysquares connects with members, seeks Tech Co-Founder

New member and Ruffato Business Startup Challenge winner Jenny Sheets, founder of educational technology company Storysquares, connected with members at her first Alliance member reception. Sheets learned about the Alliance's new jobs board at the event, where she currently has a posting for a Tech Co-Founder.

Promote: Zoot Enterprises and Blackmore Sensors and Analytics give lightning talks about their growing companies

Eric Hathaway, Zoot Enterprises Vice President of Marketing, gives a lighting talk about Zoot Enterprises in Bozeman. Hathaway said Zoot is excited to be involved in the Alliance and in the greater community. Last month, Zoot named Tony Rosanova as the new President and CTO after having been with the company since 1999. The company also opened an on-site daycare in April 2018, providing childcare for employees' children ages six weeks to six years.

Stephen Crouch, CTO of Blackmore Sensors and Analytics, talks about Blackmore's growth trajectory in both the defense and autonomous driving spaces. Blackmore produces 3D imaging lidar systems. Crouch said the firm works with a myriad of companies and industries all over the world as they all work to tackle challenges in automation. In 2018, Blackmore raised an $18 million Series B round from BMW iVentures, Toyota AI Ventures, Millennium, and Next Frontier Capital.

Accelerate: CEOs discuss workforce training needs and opportunities across the state

CEOs from across the state came together to discuss workforce development across Montana's tech landscape in the Foundant Technologies classroom in Bozeman.

Speakers, from left to right, included Brett Gunnick, Dean, MSU College of Engineering, Jayne Morrow, PhD, a remote worker from Chinook who also works for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Paul Gladen, Co-founder, Montana Code School, and John Adams, CIO of Kampgrounds of America. Not pictured is speaker Travis Wheeler, Co-chair, UM Computer Science.

Watch for a upcoming story summarizing the conversation at the Roundtable. Speakers talked about expanding data skills in rural Montana, industry-led solutions for Billing's talent challenges, and updates from the University of Montana Computer Science Department, Montana State University School of Engineering, and the Montana Code School.

From the Executive Director: Top Tech Employers List Reveals Statewide Trends, Attracts Media Coverage

Illustration by Deb Santo Schmaus.

By Christina Henderson

On July 13, 2018, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance announced a list of 25 Montana Top Tech Employers. This list was created to help job-seekers and community leaders identify Montana high-tech and manufacturing companies that are creating jobs, investing in their communities, and bringing wealth into the state.

Companies selected fit two or more of the following criteria:

20 or more employees
Plans to grow workforce in Montana
Consistently hiring
Established in the state for more than 10 years
Involved in the community

All firms selected hire skilled employees and leverage technology in their operations. The list reveals a number of statewide trends.

Diverse Geography:

Bozeman companies were featured heavily on the list, with 10 of the 25 companies located in the Gallatin Valley. A number of Bozeman’s top tech employers like Oracle, FICO, and Helix Business Solutions (also in Dillon) highlight the lasting impact of RightNow Technologies. Growing companies that have spun off from larger photonics firms like Blackmore Sensors and Analytics and Montana Instruments underscore the continued strength of Bozeman’s photonics sector.

Missoula had the second-largest group of employers with five companies making the list. Like many other top Montana tech employers, three homegrown Missoula firms – Blackfoot, Edulog, and WGM Group – have been operating for decades. But Missoula, like other Montana cities, has also proven attractive for out-of-state companies like ATG and AT&T to plant second offices that have grown to employ more than 100 people.

Beyond these two tech hubs, the list shows that Montana’s high-tech sector is impacting the entire state, including some cities you might not expect. Eight other communities were represented - 2 in Lewistown, 2 in the Kalispell area, 1 in Billings, 1 in Hamilton, 1 in Dillon, 1 in Butte, 1 in Helena, 1 in Great Falls.

Diverse Industries:

Top tech employers on the list are in varied industries like engineering, manufacturing, consulting, construction, retail, software and photonics. The presence of some companies in surprising fields that are not traditionally thought of as “high-tech” indicates how much technology is transforming longstanding industries – for example:

Kampgrounds of America is leveraging online booking systems and apps to better serve its customers in camping/hospitality.
Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply has delved deep into ecommerce and digital media to expand its retail operations and fuel a period of steep growth.
Construction companies like Century Companies and Allied Steel have computers driving heavy equipment and use project management software to bid and manage projects as far away as Alaska.

These companies are the backbone of Montana’s tech and manufacturing industry, employing thousands across Montana and serving customers around the world. Their impact on Montana’s economy is huge.

A 2018 survey conducted by the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research found Montana’s high-tech companies are growing nine times faster than other sectors and generated a record $1.7 billion in revenues in 2017. These firms expect to add nearly 1,200 new jobs this year.

Job-seekers can visit MTHighTech.org/Jobs for open positions - more than 200 jobs are now listed. Positions involve a wide variety of skill sets and education levels – from welding to customer service.

The Alliance has published three previous lists of growing Montana tech companies, which are available at MTHighTech.org. 60 companies have been highlighted to date:

Montana High-Growth Companies to Watch 2018 (12 firms)
Montana Startups to Watch in 2018 (8 firms)
Montana Companies to Watch in 2017 (15 firms)

The 2018 Top Montana Tech Employers list has attracted extensive interest from statewide media.

Montana High Tech Business Alliance, ATG, Blackfoot: Looking for a tech job? Here’s your starter list of Montana’s top employers (Missoula Current)

Montana High Tech Business Alliance, Montana Instruments: Bozeman companies dominate statewide Top Tech Employers list (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)

Montana High Tech Business Alliance, Advanced Electronic Designs: New tech business ranking shows Bozeman leading the pack in Montana (KBZK), New tech business ranking shows Bozeman leading the pack in Montana (KTVH)

Montana High Tech Business Alliance, Synesis7: Butte company makes Montana High Tech Business Alliance’s list of top tech employers in the state (Montana Standard)

Montana High Tech Business Alliance: Montana Voices with John Arneson, Montana talks with Aaron Flint

Member News:

Quiq announces support of Apple Business Chat

On July 20, Quiq announced support of Apple Business Chat, available in beta in the U.S. on iOS 11.3 and higher. Quiq is one of the early Customer Service Platforms (CSP) to support Business Chat, which is a new way for users to communicate directly with businesses using the Messages app on iPhone and iPad.

“The things that make text messaging the most popular communication channel with family and friends also make it the preferred medium for customers to engage with companies.” said Mike Myer, CEO and Founder of Quiq. “Adding support for Apple Business Chat allows connected customers to engage with businesses in a way that is personal, frictionless, and easy, using the Messages app on iOS. Companies using Quiq will simply have access to a new messaging channel within the Quiq Messaging platform.”

Apple Business Chat makes it easy for consumers to initiate a conversation with a company when searching for a business through Maps, Safari, Search or Siri or even in the businesses’ own app. Business Chat allows users to ask a question about a product or service, or make a purchase using Apple Pay. With Apple Business Chat it’s easier to reach a live person and users are always in control of whether they share any contact information with a business.

The Quiq Messaging platform provides contact center agents a robust set of features that ensures messages are routed to the appropriate person, prioritizes conversations based on users responsiveness and helps agents collaborate with peers or managers to resolve issues quickly. The Quiq Messaging UI presents the contact center agent with the user’s conversation history for easy reference and can integrate into other systems to give agents a full view of the customer order history.

Learn more about Apple Business Chat.

Next Frontier Capital announces first exit: Ataata acquired by Mimecast

Next Frontier Capital is proud to report the firm's first exit: Ataata, acquired by Mimecast. Ataata is a security awareness training and cyber risk management platform that helps enterprises combat information security breaches caused by employee mistakes, while Mimecast, a $2.5bn NASDAQ company, provides email and data security solutions.

The acquisition will allow customers to measure cyber risk training effectiveness by converting behavior observations into actionable risk metrics for security professionals. The addition of security awareness training and risk scoring and analysis strengthens Mimecast’s cyber resilience for email capabilities.

Richard Harjes led the company's $3m Series Seed in December, 2017, while Les Craig previously worked with Ataata's CEO, Michael Madon, at RedOwl Analytics.

Next Frontier Capital also reports that since its founding in 2015, Montana companies have raised $83 million and NFC companies have raised more than $100 million. Prior to 2015, Montana companies received $3-5 million per year in venture capital.

Read more from Next Frontier Capital.

Audience Awards will award five $1,000 grants to short documentaries in production

Audience Awards invites PRO filmmakers to submit a video featuring an upcoming short documentary project. The top five project submissions will each receive a $1,000 grant to go towards completing your short documentary.

To apply, upload a documentary short film, trailer or teaser video. The submission close date is currently Sept 10, 2018. Submissions will close at 500 entries. Learn more and submit videos here.

Missoula College launches IT apprenticeship program with local firms

Three students, Austin Koburi with Allegiance, and Austin Martinez and Sam Bartsch with First Call, signed up for their IT apprenticeships on Tuesday at Missoula College. (Mari Hall/Missoula Current)

Three Missoula College students signed up to work for IT companies in Missoula on July 17 as part of the college’s new information technologies apprenticeship program. Four different local companies were involved in the signing: Allegiance Benefit Plan Management, First Call Computer Solutions, Univision Computers, and Blackfoot.

“Governor Bullock and I have made it a priority to expand the number of apprenticeship opportunities in the state, and at the same time, expanding apprenticeship opportunities into non-traditional fields like health care, accounting, advanced manufacturing and IT,” Lt. Governor Mike Cooney said. “Time and time again, Gov. Bullock and I hear from employers and businesses that their biggest challenge to growth is the shortage of workers.”

According to Cooney, almost 90 percent of apprentices stay in Montana after completing their program.

“These activities help students connect classroom experiences with roles in the workplace,” Tom Gallagher, associate dean of the Missoula College, said. “Apprenticeships are registered with the state of Montana and the Department of Labor and Industry, and students earn an income while completing their education. Employers are able to access skilled workers during a tight labor market and low unemployment so apprenticeships are really a win-win for everybody.”

Read the full story in the Missoula Current.

NorthWestern Energy, Montana Precision Products: Economic development advocates hope to recruit businesses to Butte with site selector tour (Montana Standard)

NorthWestern Energy: NorthWestern Energy, Missoula start Tower area flood repairs (Missoulian)

Missoula Economic Partnership: Missoula Economic Partnership begins search for new executive director (Missoula Current)

Quiq: How Messaging Transforms Customer Service And Support: A Visit With Bozeman Startup Quiq (Forbes)

Billings airport: Billings airport upgrade scheduled to be completed in 2022 (Billings Gazette)

Blockchain in Montana: It’s the blockchain, stupid: Local tech professionals say blockchain is the main event, not bitcoin (Helena Independent Record)

Helena airport: $12M expansion of Helena airport to provide more options for travelers and airlines (Helena Independent Record)

Welcome New Members:

Imperium Tool & Instrument, Inc., Samuel Park, President

satinflame design, Jeanine Schoessler, Belgrade

Upcoming Events:

1 Million Cups Bi-Weekly Meeting - Missoula. Aug. 1. Meets the first and third Wednesday each month at 9:00 am at The Loft, Missoula. 1 Hour Free Parking across the street in the city parking garage. Start your morning with coffee and start your business with 1MC Missoula, a place to percolate your startup. Entrepreneurship runs through it. For more information visit the website or Facebook page.

1 Million Cups Monthly Meeting featuring Nutritional Therapy Hub - Bozeman. August 1. Meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 am at Red Tractor Pizza, Bozeman. Creating conversation around Bozeman startups, business development, and economic growth in the most entrepreneurial state in the nation (plus, coffee). For more information and application to present, visit the website.

SBIR Webinar with special guest USDA NIFA SBIR program director Scott Dockum - statewide. August 1. 12:10 - 1:00 pm. Join the Montana Innovation Partnership, powered by MSU TechLink Center, for a free webinar to learn about SBIR seed funding opportunities from USDA NIFA for your innovative research and business ideas. The webinar will cover who and what is right for SBIR funding, details specific to the USDA NIFA SBIR Program, resources that your team can use to prepare your best proposal, questions & answers with our special guest Scott Dockum, USDA National SBIR Program Coordinator. Click here to email the organizers for more information and registration.

ATG Quote 2 Cast - Missoula. August 1 - 3. Whether you’re building a company, launching a product, raising a family, or simply implementing a CPQ tool, effective teaming is essential. At Quote to Cast 2018, ATG is going to explore the concept of Teams, within the context of world-class Quote to Cash solutions. For 18 years, ATG has been working with great Clients, Vendors, and fellows SIs to deliver innovation in Quote to Cash. Learn more.

2018 Economic Update Series, Make Montana Home - Enticing Entrepreneurs - Statewide. August 2 in Kalispell, August 6 in Glasgow, August 6 in Sidney, August 7 in Billings, August 7 in Bozeman, August 7 in Butte, August 8 in Helena, August 8 in Great Falls, August 9 in Missoula. ‘Montana University’ of the Montana Chamber Foundation invites you to participate in the 13th Annual Economic Update Series. This annual series provides brief mid-year updates and economic projections for local, state, and national economies. The series takes place in nine locations across the state, with additional stops in Glasgow and Sidney being added this year. The State of Entrepreneurship study will be released in conjunction with the series. Additionally, a panel of local entrepreneurs will participate, providing reactions to Patrick Barkey’s (Bureau of Business & Economic Research, University of Montana) economic projections and thoughts on entrepreneurs can succeed in Montana.Learn more and register.

Entrepreneur Meet-Up - Billings. August 7, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, CTA, 13 North 23rd St, Billings. Join Big Sky Economic Development for our first entrepreneur meet-up at the new community space at CTA Architects. This informal networking event will offer entrepreneurs, resource partners, and community leaders the chance to share ideas and learn more about how Billings is building its entrepreneur ecosystem. Learn more and add to calendar.

1 Million Cups Monthly Meeting - Bozeman. August 8. Meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 am at Red Tractor Pizza, Bozeman. Creating conversation around Bozeman startups, business development, and economic growth in the most entrepreneurial state in the nation (plus, coffee). For more information and application to present, visit the website.

Wage & Hour Part I: Exempt Employees - statewide. August 8, noon -1 pm. This webinar presented by Associated Employers will define exempt employees, discuss the importance of job descriptions in determining exempt status, and more. Email reg@aehr.org, call 406-248-6178, or register online.

Montana Ambassadors Dinner and Innovate Montana Symposium - Billings. Aug 8 - 9, DoubleTree by Hilton, Billings. The 2018 Innovate Symposium is the first statewide event entirely focused on giving early stage ventures actionable insights to get to market and grow their companies. Every aspect of the day - from the keynote speaker and panelists to invited attendees - will be curated for their ability to create products with a clear market fit, raise investment, and build teams from the ground up. The Launch and Grow tracks will give businesses in diverse fields the steps they need to take immediately, and a plan for scaling in the future. Learn more and buy tickets.

Global Leadership Summit - Billings. Aug 9-10, MSU-Billings campus, Student Union Building, 1500 University Dr, Billings. Join 445,000 of your peers to learn how to maximize your influence with two days of world-class leadership training. Gain exclusive access to the LIVE HD telecast of the Summit at one of 700+ locations. Get a unique blend of vision, inspiration and practical skills you can immediately apply. Learn from a diverse 2018 faculty. Leverage the Summit as a resource to transform yourself and your community. Join a diverse group of individuals from education, healthcare, media, non-profits, government, elected officials, business owners to Military, and more. Learn more and register.

Export Training - Bozeman and Missoula. 8:30 am – 4 pm on Wednesday, August 15, Bozeman, and 8:30 am – 4 pm on Thursday, August 16 in Missoula. Free interactive one-day training in exporting for companies thinking about or already selling outside the US. Learn the riddle of the Exporter, an 8-step process to “conquer the world of exporting," developed by Elyse Eriksson, an entrepreneur who understands just how little time you have in any given day for new things. Deadline to register: August 9. View the flier for more information.

1 Million Cups Bi-Weekly Meeting - Missoula. Aug. 15. Meets the first and third Wednesday each month at 9:00 am at The Loft, Missoula. 1 Hour Free Parking across the street in the city parking garage. Start your morning with coffee and start your business with 1MC Missoula, a place to percolate your startup. Entrepreneurship runs through it. For more information visit the website or Facebook page.

Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication seminar - Bozeman. August 16, 8 am - 4:30 pm. Effective communication, critical thinking, and collaboration are essential skills for success in the modern workplace. Studies show these foundational skills benefit nearly every facet of business operation, build trust, and significantly improve engagement, retention, and operational profits. Learn these skills and more in this dynamic seminar with the Engineering Leadership Institute. Learn more and register here.

Wage & Hour Part II: Non-exempt Employees - statewide. August 22, noon -1 pm. This webinar presented by Associated Employers will define non-exempt employees, discuss the definition of a work wee, properly determining and paying overtime, and more. Email reg@aehr.org, call 406-248-6178, or register online.

University of Montana Career Fair - Missoula. August 30, 9 am - 3 pm. University Center. The Student Employment Fair is a great opportunity for employers to connect with students seeking work-study, non-work study, part time, on campus, off campus and volunteer positions while going to school. Register and learn more.

1 Million Cups Monthly Meeting - Bozeman. September 5. Meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 am at Red Tractor Pizza, Bozeman. Creating conversation around Bozeman startups, business development, and economic growth in the most entrepreneurial state in the nation (plus, coffee). For more information and application to present, visit the website.

Town Hall with Mpls Fed President Neel Kashkari - Bozeman.
Sept. 5, 2:00-3:00pm, MSU, Ballroom A, 211 Strand Union Building, 751 Grant St., Bozeman. Join us for a conversation with Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari on these topics and more in Bozeman, MT on September 5 at 2:00 pm. President Kashkari is a member of the Federal Open Market Committee, the body of the Federal Reserve System that sets national monetary policy. Since taking over as President of the Minneapolis Fed in January 2016, he has spearheaded several new initiatives, including releasing a plan to end the "Too Big to Fail" problem and launching the Federal Reserve's new Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute, housed at the Minneapolis Fed. President Kashkari will give brief remarks, followed by an open-mic Q&A with the audience moderated by Larry Simkins, President & CEO of The Washington Companies. Learn more and register.

Montana Tech Career Fair - Butte. Sept. 13, Career Fair. Sept. 14, 2nd day interviews. Take part in one of Montana Tech's signature events. For more information, email careerservices@mtech.edu, call 406.496.4140, or visit the website.

Project Everest: Agile Strategies in Leadership and Time Management with Alan Mallory - Missoula. Sept. 14, 8:30am. Salvation Army, Missoula. Learn tips, strategies, tools and other engaging content relating to human performance, leadership and adventure. Alan Mallory helps develop great leaders and strengthen teams by establishing and reinforcing the professional development skills and mindsets that are essential for success. His engaging presentations and interactive training programs help individuals and organizations reach new heights in the way we think and the actions we take in order to achieve breakthrough performance. Learn more and register.

Montana Code School Courses - Missoula & Bozeman. Full-Time Course Class Dates: Sept. 17 – Dec. 7, 2018. Part-time course dates: Sept. 18, 2018 – March 26, 2019. Financing available. Montana Code School’s full-time immersive program gives you the skills and fundamentals you need to land a job as a full-stack Jr. Web Developer. Contact 406-219-1392 or talk@montanacodeschool.com. Learn more here.

Big Sky Code Academy Full and Part Time Coding Classes - Billings, Bozeman, Missoula. Full-time classes start Sept. 17. Part-time courses start Oct. 1. Learn Full Stack JavaScript and become a Web Developer in just 12 Weeks! In person and online options. Scholarships Available. Accept GI Bill for tuition payment. Job Offer Guarantee. Learn more and register here.

Big Sky Code Academy Full and Part Time Digital Marketing Classes - Billings, Bozeman, Missoula. Part-time course start Sept. 4. Learn Full Stack JavaScript and become a Web Developer in just 12 Weeks! In person and online options. Learn more and register here.

Leadership Training Workshop - Bozeman. Sept.19, 2018, First Interstate Bank Training Center, downtown Missoula. The workshop presenters, industry leaders with the Western Montana Manufacturing Partnership (WMMP), will teach participants tools and skills to help improve their business and become better equipped for the challenges faced as supervisors and managers. Learn more and register.

Early Stage MT statewide showcase - Bozeman. Sept. 22, Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman. From each regional ESMT competition, two finalists were selected to advance to the Statewide showcase taking place on September 22, 2018 in Bozeman. There, competitors will have the opportunity to pitch their business to dozens of investors, mentors, and members of the Montana business community and possibly win your share of up to $50,000 in investment capital. Learn more here.

MSU 31st Annual Fall Career Fair - Bozeman. Oct. 4. Learn more and register.

Past Newsletters:

07/12/2018 - Montana Top Tech Employers 2018; Alliance hits 350 member milestone; Workiva CTO Jeff Trom as new board chair; IronCore receives $1.5M in seed funding

06/28/2018 - Robot Snacks chosen ESMT finalist; New MHTBA jobs board and calendar; Zoot names new President; Big Sky Dreamin' Salesforce conference

06/14/2018 - 5 Advantages to Doing Business in MT; MWTC features GDPR at TechEx; Inaugural Women’s Summit Explores Inclusive Innovation

05/31/2018 - Blackfoot Hosts Missoula Reception (photos); Helix Acquires Accelas; Early Stage MT announces finalists; Prime Labs receives $225k grant

Click to view more past newsletters.

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Montana High Tech Business Alliance

1121 E Broadway St, Suite 108

Missoula, MT 59802

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Montana High Tech Business Alliance · 1121 E Broadway St, Suite 108 · Missoula, MT 59802 · USA