Jamie Sundsbak Announced As Executive Director of Collider Foundation

It was my extreme honor to be named Executive Director for the Collider Foundation this week. A very special thank you to our incredible Board of Directors for placing their trust in me.

Over the last decade, I have been fortunate to witness the growth of a true entrepreneurial ecosystem in Rochester. I have been privileged to work with and get to know many outstanding entrepreneurs across all industries in this community. Over the last two years, Collider has worked to support early-stage entrepreneurs by listening, understanding, and connecting them to the right resources at the right time.

Moving into a post-pandemic world, we must double down on our support for entrepreneurs in Rochester. Thanks to Mayo Clinic, Google, and others, we will see an explosion of new medical and life science startups and existing companies who are attracted to Rochester. At the same time, we see a real awakening and realization that we need to increase our community's economic diversity. Collider has been encouraged by the growth of the food, retail, and the services sector providing new frontiers for aspiring entrepreneurs.

We must also continue to move forward on our community efforts to embrace diversity, inclusion, and equity for all Rochester's citizens. Collider has been fortunate to work with so many underrepresented individuals in this community who are "dreaming big" and starting the next generation of companies. We have always believed that entrepreneurship is a key to prosperity and a pathway to a more inclusive ecosystem. Now we see it in action every day, thanks to pioneering women and BIPOC entrepreneurs' hard work and passion.

It's the entrepreneurs that will tell the story of the future of Rochester. It's up to all of us as a strong and unified community to support them on their journey.

How will you help?

Collider Coworking Announced as Location for First Google Office in Minnesota

ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA. February 18, 2021- The Collider Foundation announces that Google will be the newest tenant of the Collider Coworking space in the historic Conley-Maass-Downs building in downtown Rochester, creating the first Google office in Minnesota.

“We are honored to host Google in our coworking space as their first Minnesota office,” said Jamie Sundsbak, Interim Executive Director of the Collider Foundation.  “Our coworking location in the CMD building was built for innovation and we can think of no better innovative partnership than Google and Mayo Clinic. We look forward to the work that Google and Mayo Clinic are doing together to change the future of healthcare.”

Collider Foundation will be opening a second location at the Mayo Clinic Business Accelerator (MCBA) in the Skyway in Downtown Rochester, which is administered by Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI) in partnership with the City of Rochester. This space will allow Collider to expand its reach to better serve entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers in the Rochester area and continue to support Rochester’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Partnering with Collider helps us accelerate the goal of making the Minnesota BioBusiness Building the front door to economic development for the Rochester area,” said John Wade, interim president of RAEDI.

The Collider Foundation will be working closely with Google and RAEDI to coordinate the next steps for both locations in the upcoming months.

About Collider Foundation

Collider Foundation (https://www.collider.mn/) supports local entrepreneurs and small businesses with navigation, education, space, and storytelling to help foster an inclusive, diverse, and healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem in Rochester, Minnesota.

About Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc.

Incorporated in 1985, Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI) is a public/private partnership for economic development that serves the four county MSA of Olmsted, Dodge, Wabasha, and Fillmore. Their mission is to be an economic enabler to Rochester area businesses, producing results through retention, growth, and diversification of the economy through their core values of integrity, innovation, adaptability, and being results driven. Some of the services provided include financial packaging, business planning, site/location support, and business/community advocacy. For more information, visit www.raedi.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

Contact:  Jamie Sundsbak - Interim Executive Director, Collider Foundation

Phone: 507-993-1918

Email: jamie@collider.mn

Julio Molina - Ecosystem Navigator

Meet Collider Ecosystem Navigator Julio Molina. Originally from Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Julio is serving aspiring Latino entrepreneurs and Latino-owned businesses in Rochester, MN. He’s passionate about helping the community find the answers to the business questions they have and helping them to overcome obstacles they’re currently facing. Learn more and connect with Julio here to support your business journey: https://www.collider.mn/connect-with-our-navigators

Kristopher Derwin Loving Sr - Ecosystem Navigator

Meet Collider Ecosystem Navigator Kristopher Derwin Loving, Sr.! Originally from Chicago, Kris is serving aspiring Black entrepreneurs and current Black-owned businesses in Rochester, MN. In his role as Ecosystem Navigator, Kris helps to support, guide, and encourage entrepreneurs. He works hard to find answers to entrepreneurs’ business questions and is driven to help people reach their goals. Learn more about Kris and how the Ecosystem Navigator program could help your business here: https://www.collider.mn/connect-with-our-navigators

Sara-Louise Henry - Ecosystem Navigator

Meet Ecosystem Navigator Sara-Louise Henry. A native of Rochester, Sara-Louise is excited to meet new people and to support and advocate for women and minority entrepreneurs in the community. She sees her role as Ecosystem Navigator as a connector and has witnessed the barriers facing women in business and minority entrepreneurs in the community. Learn more about Sara-Louise and her passion for entrepreneurship in this short video.