Craig Dunn, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs at WWU explains, “Working directly with entrepreneurs and the market provides students with the unique opportunity to apply multiple aspects of their coursework in a meaningful way.”

Students enrolled in the MBA Environmental Management course focus on assessing the impacts of corporate action on the natural environment. Participating companies for this particular project are engaged in the NWIRC’s Accelerator Program, which provides support to local entrepreneurs. Their products include an invention specialized for the raspberry growing industry and a proposal for better utilizing plastics collected from recycling.

Steve Barrett, NWIRC Mentor and WWU MBA alum, is working with the students and entrepreneurs. “As a mentor for the NWIRC, being able to tap the expertise that these students are gaining in the classroom to provide insight and assistance to local entrepreneurs is hugely beneficial. Entrepreneurs are often pressed for time, as well as focused on innovation itself; consequently, work like this often falls by the wayside, so the students really have an opportunity to help with their efforts,” he says.

This partnership provides students with a unique opportunity to participate in innovation throughout the community as well as practical experience with local early-stage companies.

Bostrom brings more than 20 years of business experience, spanning corporate management, small business, and higher education. Her specialties include operations management, staff development, and process management. She earned a degree from the University of Kansas and an MBA at Texas A&M University.

“Laura is a tremendous addition to our team,” said Diane Kamionka, Interim Executive Director. “Her depth of business experience will enhance the services we offer entrepreneurs in our area. Having started her own business, she appreciates the energy and sacrifice it can require to succeed.”

Bostrom brings more than 20 years of business experience, spanning corporate management, small business, and higher education. Her specialties include operations management, staff development, and process management. She earned a degree from the University of Kansas and an MBA at Texas A&M University.

“Laura is a tremendous addition to our team,” said Diane Kamionka, Interim Executive Director. “Her depth of business experience will enhance the services we offer entrepreneurs in our area. Having started her own business, she appreciates the energy and sacrifice it can require to succeed.”

The goal of the series is to provide rich information in a short period of time that will help NWIRC Entrepreneurs make educated decisions about their business immediately. As a result, topics vary from month-to-month based on needs and requests. All NWIRC Mentors and Entrepreneurs are welcome.

Recent sessions:

• Dan Whittle, a local patent agent and founder of Patent Leverage LLC, presented an overview of the America Invents Act. He shared information about how small businesses can tweak their intellectual property strategy in response to upcoming changes.
• Debbie Ahl, Past Chair of the NWIRC, led the group in a networking fundamentals session. She reviewed how to build positive relationships within the business community, with specific focus on preparation for events and how to navigate introductions.

Upcoming sessions include:

• Advertising/Marketing/Sales/PR
• Sales for Non-Sales Types

Please contact the NWIRC for more event details.

The Accelerator Services Manager reports to the Executive Director. The position is located in Whatcom County.

Responsibilities:

• Managing entrepreneur support activities including: Entrepreneur intake and coordination of mentor assignments, dashboard data collection and ensure that elements of the coaching and mentoring program are implemented
• Provide business coaching to entrepreneurs
• Manage the Mentor operations process including: Identify and recruit potential mentors, manage Mentor intake process, orientation and communications
• Event support, some planning and coordination of meetings and events
• Resources library: Provide materials and information resources for mentors and entrepreneurs, maintain knowledge of industry and entrepreneurial support trends, assist with materials for NWIRC website
• Funding support including identifying funding options available for entrepreneurs, providing awareness of NWIRC and its entrepreneurs to funding sources
• NWIRC support: Assist with potential project obligations of NWIRC,  relationships with other service and government organizations related to the work of the NWIRC and perform other duties as may be designated by the Executive Director

Skills needed:

• Organized and detail oriented
• Strong time management
• Project management skills
• Public relations / customer service skills and attitude
• Computer basics: Email, Spreadsheets, web content, Web browsing, project management
• Enthusiastic and urgent

Background:

• Business experience sufficient to understand all aspects of a business is essential
• Financial experience with budget management
• Entrepreneurial/Startup experience would be valuable
• Bachelor’s degree

Hours: 40 hours per week. Hours Flexible. Some evenings and weekends depending on events

Start Date: Upon availability

Applications submitted via email to DKamionka@nwirc.com

“We are extremely fortunate to enhance our Board with the experience and expertise brought by Carol and Mike. The current business leaders who make up our Board of Directors have been invaluable to establishing the NWIRC.” stated Debbie Ahl, chair of the NWIRC. “Their efforts along with Carol and Mike will be critical to guiding its continued growth.”

The number of entrepreneurs who are seeking guidance from the NWIRC is expanding and encompassing a wide variety of innovative opportunities. Carol Selby has expertise in finance within several industries as well as support of startup businesses as a previous member of the Small Business Advisory Council in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mike Allsop is well known in Whatcom County as a founding member of Allsop, Inc. Mike has a great expertise with manufacturing, marketing and distribution. It is anticipated that their skills will add to the quality of direction provided by the Board as the NWIRC supports these growing number of
entrepreneurs.

These innovations and others, however, often lay dormant as the IP holder is not interested or equipped to take the steps necessary to commercialize (build a business around) the opportunity. It can be challenging for inventors to identify resources to help them develop their invention toward economic benefit.

To assist inventors, the NW Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC) can provide assistance to IP holders who do not wish to start a business themselves, but would like to see their inventions taken to the market. The NWIRC will determine the best method of generating commercial value for the individual and the region. If it is determined that a business should be started as the commercialization vehicle, the NWIRC’s Accelerator Program of services for new businesses will become involved to provide support and guidance for establishing and growing the business.

Additional information is available here.

Northwest Washington has a history of innovation as illustrated by research from the
Technology Alliance Group which revealed over 70 patents awarded in Whatcom County
annually for the past several years. These inventions often lay dormant when intellectual
property holders are not interested in or equipped to take the steps required to determine
potential commercial value.

“Whatcom County has a history of community based economic innovation, but little means to capitalize upon an already vibrant wealth of knowledge and ideas,” said Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island. “Investing in this center will convert that innovation into real jobs. With the county continuing to struggle in the fight against unemployment, this investment could not come at a more critical time.”

“If we hope to emerge in a position of competitive strength from this recession, as well as future recessions, it will be because we properly focused on innovation,” said Sen. Jim Kastama, chair of the Senate Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee. “At a time when jobs and entire industries are vanishing, growth requires that we focus on solutions to tomorrow’s needs.”

“Senators Ranker and Kastama recognize that individuals in more rural communities are often an untapped resource for innovation” stated Debbie Ahl, chair of the NWIRC. “Their efforts have been pivotal in piloting this service.”

The NWIRC will provide assistance to inventors in determining the best method to generate commercial value from their inventions. If a business can be started as the commercialization vehicle, the NWRIC’s Accelerator Program for new businesses will become involved to provide support and guidance to establish and grow the business. This commercialization pilot provides a means for broader participation in innovation throughout the area.

Startup Weekend is a 54-hour startup event that provides the networking, resources, and incentives for individuals and teams to go from idea to launch. A wide variety of people participate in Startup Weekend events. We have seen high school students and college students participate in teams, as well as seasoned professionals in many industries. Participants get to explore new arenas, build new skills and practice teamwork in a fast paced environment.

To register, or access more information about the event go to: http://bellingham.startupweekend.org

There are several books that help to frame this process:

• The original book that started the conversation: The Four Steps to the Epiphany by Stephan Blank
• The Entrepreneurs Guide to Customer Development by Patrick Vlaskovitz and Brant Cooper
• Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur
• Soon: The Lean Startup by Eric Ries (more info at http://lean.st )
• Running Lean by Ash Maurya

And for personal time management in this same metaphor:

• Personal Kanban by Jim Benson

A very helpful mailing list focused on the lean startup methodology is at:

http://googlegroups.com/group/lean-startup-circle

These resources help you get connected to this Lean Startup conversation, which promises to improve the rate of success for startups.