“I predict with great confidence that 2015 will be the Year of the Entrepreneur,” writes Emerging Prairie co-founder Greg Tehven, in his latest article for Fargo Monthly.
Tehven looks back on this past year and sees extraordinary success. 1 Million Cups launched and has quickly become a well-loved and well-recognized event. Other events like Startup Weekend Fargo and TedXFargo were hailed as some of the best of their kind. Meet-ups to create an even tighter and more collaborative community have sprung up, and local startups continue to grow and thrive.
Taking all this into consideration, Tehven look forward to 2015 as yielding even more good things for the Fargo community. But in order to maintain this success in 2015, he writes, “we need several key stakeholders to step up for great things to happen.”
What follows is a list of 13 ways that everyone in the community can make 2015 the Year of the Entrepreneur. You can read the full article on Fargo Monthly’s website, but we’ll summarize it here:
1. Establishment of a Community Activities Office: We need to create a supportive space for the over 10 self-organized learning groups led by volunteers. Think of the model for a university student activities office.
2. Increasing Access to Students: Tap into the tri-college community we have in Fargo; involve students, and showcase their work.
3. Develop Infrastructure: North Dakota is leading the nation in Internet speed, now let’s continue to drive that initiative and purchase it as consumers to make it affordable for everyone.
4. Distribute Capital: An active angel fund and increased involvement of investors with the economy is key to launching products.
5. Economic Gardening: Use local services and bet on early ventures.
6. Deepen Ties in the Region: Reach out to our neighbors in Brookings, Bismarck, Minneapolis, and beyond. Develop relationships with these startup communities.
7. Bet on the Arts: Recognize art as a driver of culture. Support local art.
8. Invest in Events: We have a lot of events here in Fargo. Be a part of them! If you want to receive weekly newsletters with local events, sign up for our newsletter here (under “Join the Community”).
9. Believe in the Entrepreneur: Be more apt to encourage rather than criticize.
10. Keep Growing!: Looking at you, startups – you’re doing great, now keep up the good work.
11. Break Down Silos: More collaboration between well established companies and the newcomers. It’s time we start blurring the boundaries between corporate and startup.
12. Leadership Going to the Bottom: Breaking down silos means getting established leadership involved as well. To have a fully growing community, everyone needs to be involved.
13. Encourage Diversity: As with any community, diversity is a good thing. More resources to support women in the tech field and in startups, for instance.
There you have it. Thirteen ways to make this year a great one for our community. With everyone involved, we look forward to seeing some phenomenal results.
Today is Day 2. Bring it on!
Read the full article, here.
Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography.
