Williston State College holds innovation day

There are a lot of people with creative ideas for a new business, but a Williston State College instructor says many don't know who to turn to when turning an idea into a reality.

WSC took part in a Statewide Day of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Wednesday, with a series of speakers and workshops meant to provide people with ideas the information and tools to move forward. The event was part of the fourth annual Innovate N.D. competition, a venture competition meant to bring together entrepreneurs, investors and educators.

Williston was one of six locations in the state taking part in the event Wednesday, said WSC Entrepreneurship and Business instructor Maeve MacSteves. The event also marked this year's kickoff to the North Dakota Department of Commerce's Innovate N.D. competition, which announces winners in February.

MacSteves said the goal of Wednesday's event and Innovate N.D. is to show people how many resources there are to assist them in taking a business idea and making it a successful venture.

"I don't think people realize how much help there is around here. Now is the right time to take that idea you've been kicking around, dust it off and get it going," said MacSteves.

Wednesday's keynote speaker was Doug Burgum, founder of Great Plains Software in Fargo. Gov. John Hoeven also had brief remarks introducing Burgum. Both spoke from Fargo via the statewide Interactive Video Network, or IVN.

Speakers in Williston during a noon luncheon were a pair of finalists from last year's competition -- Katie Fitzgerald and Patty Reeves of Camden's Naturals of Anamoose. Workforce development coordinator Shawn Wenko also spoke Wednesday.

Main topics of discussion for the dozen attendees in Williston were an introduction to Innovate N.D., local resources for starting a business, various forms of funding and resources for venture planning assistance.

"We're here to provide technical support to anyone who wants to join the competition. We're here to help share with anyone that wants to get a business off the ground and to learn the processes on how to do so," said MacSteves.

Burgum's talk centered on the importance of entrepreneurship and what it takes to make an idea a reality and how to push the envelope.

"I've always felt that the work entrepreneurs do is one of the most important things people can do. It not only solves problems they're trying to solve, but larger societal problems as well," said Burgum.

Burgum said having an idea or invention is one thing, but innovation is being able to take that idea or invention and add value to it economically and to the public around you.

"Innovation is at the heart of what we have to do as individuals, as small businesses and as a country," said Burgum.

Burgum said key attributes to a successful entrepreneur are passion, perseverance and courage. He said the ability to continue pushing for an idea you believe in and having the courage to do something that pushes the envelope and mainstream ideas about a concept are critical to advancing an idea.

"You will run into so many roadblocks along the way that you have to have that passion and be able to make it fun at the same time," said Burgum.

Ultimately, Burgum said entrepreneurs are the ones who keep ideas coming, no matter how large or small, while continuing advances in a wide variety of areas.

"You can have all the great economic or business climate like in North Dakota you want, but if you don't have entrepreneurs willing to take those ideas forward you can't have the outcomes you want," said Burgum.

Innovate N.D. is now in its fourth year and has seen over 250 new ideas brought to it. It has resulted in about 70 of those ideas either becoming operating businesses or businesses in the process of starting up.

Winners of the competition receive $10,000 toward their new or existing business venture.

Those interested in entering the contest have until Nov. 20 to enter and can do so by contacting Brandi Schoenberg, Innovate N.D. program manager, at innovatend.nd.gov or by calling (701) 328-5373.

For more information on Innovate N.D., visit www. commerce.nd.gov/innovate/innovatend/.