June 28, 2018 Newsletter

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Montana High Tech News

MHTBA judges choose Robot Snacks of Billings as wild card competitor for Early Stage MT

Robot Snacks co-founders Jessica Baldwin and Joshua Toenyes reflect on their experience in Early Stage MT. Video courtesy of Robot Snacks.

By Katy Spence

In conjunction with Early Stage MT, three members of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance Board of Directors have chosen a seventh, wild card finalist to continue in the competition.

The wild card competitor is Billings-based Robot Snacks with their product Cardsetter, a simple, powerful website platform built for audience engagement. Created by co-founders Jessica Baldwin and Joshua Toenyes, Cardsetter is marketed to small publishers, professional bloggers, and content creators.

David Hayden, co-founder of ServiceTarget, Liz Marchi, founder of Frontier Angel Fund, and Jason Mittelstaedt, co-founder of Yellowstone Growth Partners, reviewed the footage of runners-up to give a seventh company a chance to work with instructors and mentors in the hyper-accelerator and compete on Saturday, Sept. 22 in the showcase finals in Bozeman.

Pat LaPointe, Executive Director of Frontier Angels, said, “We had so many good, solid companies in the competition. We’re delighted to have an expert group of judges from the Alliance choose one additional company to send to the hyper-accelerator and, ultimately, the final showcase.”

The Sept. 22 event will be an all-day statewide showcase and conference on accelerating the growth of the early-stage technology ecosystem in Montana. The event will be held at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. The day will feature several additional Montana tech companies along with panel discussions with leading venture capitalists, angel investors, and public-sector influencers from around the northern Rockies and Pacific northwest region. Tickets go on sale on July 9. General admission is $50 which includes lunch and snacks.

Between now and the statewide showcase, the Early Stage MT team will be running a week-long intensive training and mentoring session called HyperAccelerator. The seven featured companies will polish their business strategies and sharpen their plans for marketing, sales, and financing their company growth. The training will take place July 23-27 at Jabs Hall at MSU in Bozeman. If you are a successful entrepreneur or corporate executive with relevant experience and would be interested in mentoring for a day during the hyper-accelerator as a mentor, please contact Pat LaPointe.

The finalists are:

Alosant, a lifestyle management platform connecting planned communities to residents;
Cardsetter, a content-design platform for small publishers, professional bloggers, and content creators.
Elation, which focuses on content and software tools to help reduce the epidemic of physician stress and burnout;
Elebase, a content management system for today's data-driven and geo-targeted content needs.
Sellout, a next-generation event ticketing software platform;
Superior Traffic Services, mobile construction site traffic management equipment connected by Wi-Fi, wireless and satellite to significantly improve safety and reduce costs;
WebBuy, which offers software that allows consumers to purchase a car online and complete the entire process from selection to financing in one place.

Learn more about Early Stage MT by visiting the website.

From the Executive Director: Alliance launches new high tech jobs board and events calendar

The Alliance's new job board makes it easy for users and search engines to find your company's jobs.

We’re pleased to announce that the Montana High Tech Business Alliance has launched a new jobs board today, which you can find in the same place as always: mthightech.org/jobs

We had reached the maximum number of users on our current platform, so with the approval of the Board of Directors, we are transitioning to a jobs board that will be self-contained on our website. The new jobs portal will be user-friendly and search engine optimized to maximize visibility of open high-tech and manufacturing positions in Montana.

Any member may submit job postings through this page on MTHighTech.org. Jobs will automatically expire in 30 days, but the Alliance team will renew posts that are still open. The new jobs board will act as a bulletin board, directing jobs seekers to your company careers page or to contact your hiring manager with an application.

We will continue to send our weekly jobs email update to subscribers.

In addition, we’re pleased to roll out a new events calendar in partnership with Paul Gladen and MontanaBusinessEvents.com. Powered by Gatherboard, the calendar has been customized for our website and members.

The new platform offers a higher level of visibility. You can submit your event once, and it will appear not just on MTHighTech.org, but on relevant business event calendars across the state. Be sure to choose the feature tag MTHIGHTECH so your event will appear on our website.

If your organization is interested in learning more about hosting a version of Montana Business Events on your website, contact Paul Gladen at paul.gladen[at]mso.umt.edu.

Please send feedback about these new features to katy.spence[at]mthightech.org.

Member News:

Zoot Enterprises names Tony Rosanova President and CTO

Bozeman, Montana — Zoot Enterprises, a global fintech company providing advanced origination, acquisition, and decision management solutions, announced on June 20 that Chief Technology and Operations Officer Tony Rosanova has been appointed President and CTO. Rosanova, who has been with the company since 1999, will continue to report to Chris Nelson, CEO of Zoot Enterprises.

“We are delighted to announce this transition, which comes to an individual who has been instrumental in the maturation and growth of Zoot Enterprises over the last 19 years,” said Chris Nelson, Zoot CEO. “Tony is an experienced leader who consistently delivers results while engendering an attitude of respect among those who work with him,” Nelson continued.

Rosanova first joined Zoot as the IT Resource Manager, and has also held positions at Zoot including Systems Administration Manager, CTO, and COO/CTO. During his tenure, Rosanova led the design of Zoot’s data center and the expansion from one to five data centers across the US and Europe, as well as defined and implemented Zoot’s internal and external audit programs.

Rosanova has also been instrumental in the expansion of the organization’s products and services, pushing for Zoot’s entrance into the auto titling services space – which the company did in 2017. Prior to Zoot, he worked for the United States Geological Survey. Rosanova studied Marketing at Arizona State University and Advertising at Northern Arizona University.

Concurrent to this announcement, Dennis Dixon, President of Zoot Enterprises, was named President Emeritus – an appointment which will allow him to support Zoot during this transition. Dennis will retire next year after a distinguished 14-year career at Zoot Enterprises.

Read the full press release.

Hoplite Industries forms strategic partnership and integration with Cloudflare

Bozeman, Montana -- Hoplite Industries, a leading cyber security company, announced on June 26, 2018, a partnership with Cloudflare to integrate Hoplite's Artemis Web Protection with Cloudflare's renowned DDoS mitigation, and DNS management solutions.

This partnership will substantially increase the scale and reach of Hoplite's Artemis Web Protection platform. Hoplite customers will now benefit from Hoplite's Behavioral Threat Detection and Threat Intelligence and Cloudflare's massive global network.

"This is an exciting opportunity for all involved," said Anthony Cochenour, founder and President of Hoplite Industries. "The added security and performance gained through our Cloudflare partnership enables us to deliver an incredibly powerful service that will not only keep our customers safer, but also improve the experience of their end-users as well."

Read the full press release.

Zinovo, Now IT Matters, and ATG to host Big Sky Dreamin' Salesforce Community conference in Bozeman July 19-20

Bozeman-based Zinovo, Now IT Matters, and Missoula-based ATG are hosting a destination Salesforce Community conference, Big Sky Dreamin', in Bozeman July 19-20.

Local Salesforce conferences give new and experienced Salesforce users exposure to unique solutions and ideas, the opportunity to network with others in the Trailblazer Community and the chance to give back to local non-profits.

Big Sky Dreamin' will feature sessions on various products and case studies, as well as keynotes from renowned speakers Peter Coffee, VP of Strategic Research for Salesforce; Zayne Turner, Lead Developer Evangelist for Salesforce; and closing keynote from Micah Fink, Founder and CEO of Heroes and Horses.

The conference will also have a education track focused on bringing students into the Salesforce ecosystem. Students will receive discounted passes as well a dedicated day of introduction on July 19 and full access on Friday, July 20.

For more information, visit the website or contact Jonathan Distad at jd[at]zinovo.com.

Army announces partnership opportunities for entrepreneur and small business communities

The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) is announcing the Army Expeditionary Technology Search – xTechSearch – to be featured at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., on October 8-10, 2018.

xTechSearch will highlight opportunities for nontraditional defense partners to collaborate with the Army to tackle the most poignant Army modernization challenges.

The ASA(ALT) recognizes that the Army must enhance engagements with the entrepreneurial-funded community, small businesses, and other non-traditional defense partners, by: (1) understanding the spectrum of technologies being developed commercially that may benefit the Army; (2) integrating the sector of nontraditional innovators into the Army’s research and development ecosystem; and (3) providing mentorship and expertise to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies of interest to the Army.

xTechSearch is a novel approach for linking innovators directly with the Army labs, with a focus on lowering the entrance barriers and spurring innovation.

Learn more about this opportunity here.

Find the next member of YOUR team through the Montana High Tech Business Alliance jobs portal!

The TOMIS team at Avalanche Lake for their spring retreat. Amelia Lyon, fourth from the right, found her job at TOMIS through the MHTBA jobs portal. Photo courtesy of TOMIS.

"I found my job at TOMIS through the MHTBA jobs portal! When you want to work for a startup company, MHTBA, is a good place to find those jobs. What's more, after the High Growth Companies to Watch article came out, we noticed a surge of inquiries about open positions."

--Amelia Lyon, Operations Coordinator at TOMIS

Explore open Montana jobs in our latest issue of the jobs newsletter.

Montana High Tech Business Alliance, Foundant Technologies, onX, Adelos:
State’s public lands igniting tech economy growth (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)

Montana High Tech Business Alliance, ViZn Energy: ViZn Energy rehires most of furloughed workforce (Daily Inter Lake), ViZn Energy Systems Secures Funding, Restarts Operations (Flathead Beacon)

Montana Precision Products: Now Hiring: Montana Precision Products is looking for people to grow with company (Montana Standard)

Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, MSU Blackstone LaunchPad: Montana high school students take part in first summer entrepreneurship program (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)

Missoula Economic Partnership: Economic report identifies industries, strategies to give Missoula competitive edge (Missoula Current)

Montana Chamber: Montana officials unite in criticism of court decision allowing internet sales tax (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)

Montana West Economic Development: Workshop Held to Discuss Broadband (Flathead Beacon)

Inimmune: UM, Inimmune land $5.4M NIH grant to pursue bacterial fighting vaccine (Missoula Current)

Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District: Business leaders discuss statewide, local impact of Montana's tech growth (KBZK)

Cryptocurrency in Montana: Missoula County commissioners delay decision on cryptocurrency mining moratorium (Missoula Current), Missoula commissioners delay decision on temporary Bitcoin mining ban (Missoulian)

Internet sales tax: Montana AG, Tester, Daines blast Sup Court decision forcing online sales tax for retailers (Missoula Current)

Missoula airport: Missoula airport becomes small plane central for weekend fly-in (Missoulian)

Montana unemployment: Montana unemployment rate drops to 3.9 percent; Missoula County down to 2.5 (Missoula Current)

Welcome New Members:

City of Bozeman, Brit Fontenot, Bozeman

LC Staffing, Kristen Heck, Kalispell

TRG, Inc., Mark Killip, Bozeman

Upcoming Events:

Montana High Tech Business Alliance Reception - Bozeman. July 5, 2018, hosted by Greg and Susan Gianforte.

Management Fundamentals For Professionals in Science & Technology - Bozeman. July 10-11, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Gran Tree, MSU Academic Technology and Outreach. These courses introduce first-time managers, soon-to-be managers and aspiring managers to the basics of managing others to achieve greater results, and allow you to explore the fundamentals of project management with a focus on the science
and technology industries. Learn more and register.

Conflict Management: Handling Difficult Behaviors - statewide. July 11, noon -1 pm. This webinar presented by Associated Employers will discuss conflict overview, coping techniques, behavior patterns of difficult people, and more. Email reg@aehr.org, call 406-248-6178, or register online.

1 Million Cups Bi-Weekly Meeting - Missoula. July 18. 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.

Automation/Technology Collaboration Monthly Workshop - Missoula. July 18, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, Missoula College. Modernizing equipment and facilities to take advantage of the newest trends that optimize efficiency through automation & technology are providing manufacturer’s with a strategic competitive advantage. The Western Montana Manufacturing Partnership (WMMP) offers an opportunity to collaboratively learn the automation process. Discover 6 steps to implement automation within your organization.
Learn more and register.

Big Sky Dreamin' Salesforce Conference - Bozeman. July 19 - 20. Big Sky Dreamin' is in its inaugural year and will be hosted at the Rialto in downtown Bozeman, Montana. They are looking for presenters on topics that will grab the attention of novice and experienced members of the Salesforce Ohana. Call for papers and early bird registration closes April 30, 2018. Learn more.

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.

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.

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.

Early Stage MT statewide showcase - Bozeman. September 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.

Past Newsletters:

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

05/17/2018 - Kalispell's PROOF Research achieves 1,000 percent growth; Zoot earns Gold & Silver Stevie Awards; MPP receives $210K grant to create 31 jobs in Butte

05/03/2018 - Diamond B Technology Solutions hosts 60 tech leaders at Billings member reception; Tester visits with Missoula companies; TECNA CEO retreat; YE in MT

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