Amplifying stories from the Rochester, MN entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Jamie Sundsbak Jamie Sundsbak

First Med City FC Supporters Kickoff @ Collider

Tuesday, March 28th
7-9pm
Collider Coworking

A group of passionate soccer fans are working together to create a supporters group to cheer on Rochester's newest sports team: Med City FC

Join us Tuesday night at Collider Coworking for the first meeting of the Med City FC Supporters Group.   

Any soccer fan is welcome to join us.

Free food and drink will be provided.

Register Here
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Jamie Sundsbak Jamie Sundsbak

Rochester Named #9 by Entrepreneur Magazine's "50 Best Cities for Entrepreneurs"

Rochester has broken the top 10 on Entrepreneur Magazines "50 Best Cities for Entrepreneurs" for the first time.  This is a significant jump from Rochester's 2016 ranking of #37.  Placing in the top 10 just serves to show the rest of the world that Rochester is headed for a massive economic growth cycle in the next 10 years.  

Check out the slideshow on the Entrepreneur Magazine website.

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Jamie Sundsbak Jamie Sundsbak

Collider Community Update: Celebrating Female Entrepreneurs

I was extremely honored to attend last week's "Women's Demo NIght" hosted by Collider member Rochester Rising.  It was so great to see a diverse range of businesses that have been started by female entrepreneurs in the Rochester area.  Continued success to Vyriad, Go Audio, Med City Doulas, and Grand Rounds Brewing Company

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I especially like this emerging theme that has carried on since last year's Rochester Global Entrepreneurship Week: "Start Something".  No matter who you are, you should be starting something great.  There has never been a better time in our city to take a risk and pursue your passion.

 

 

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Jamie Sundsbak Jamie Sundsbak

The State of Collider and Our Startup and Small Business Community

It’s amazing to think that Collider opened its doors only six month ago.  In that time, we have seen a lot of truly remarkable things happen in our startup and small business community.  We are proud that Collider has helped to play a small part in this.  

I had the good fortune to speak before the Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board this week to give a brief update on Collider and our emerging ecosystem.  I’d love to share some of the highlights with you as well.

Collider by the numbers

  • 50 members of Collider
  • 13 companies
  • 23 freelances or remote workers
  • 10 events with a combined attendance of 300 people
  • 2,200 views on our “Welcome to Collider” video on our Facebook and Youtube pages in just 3 weeks

Our startup and small business community have adopted large events to fuel our ecosystem
In 2015 we began a push to bring national or internationally recognized events to Rochester.  We have succeeded in brining 4 events to Rochester so far.  Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers that have made these events a success.  


Our community has attracted a lot of attention in the last year as well.

  • Rochester Rising (a Collider member) has done an amazing job chronicling the rise of our area startup and small business ecosystem
  • Walleye Tank highlighted local ideas and companies
  • People or organizations in 10 states have reached out to Collider to learn more about Rochester
  • Reaching #37 Entrepreneur Magazine - Best Cities for Entrepreneurs
  • Our community was highlighted by Minnesota Public Radio and will be featured nationally soon as part of the National Public Radio show “Marketplace”

With the announcement of RAEDI’s Angel Fund, Monday nights visit from Keevin O’Rourke of the NMotion Accelerator and the beginning of several large DMC projects, our community shows no sign of slowing down.  

I’m excited to see what the next six months brings!

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