Congratulations to Neela Mollgaard on her move to a new position with the State. Neela has been instrumental in the good work of Red Wing Ignite, including several partnerships with the Blandin Foundation. It will be fun to see what she can do on a statewide level!

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports…

Neela Mollgaard, founder of the entrepreneurial support entity Red Wing Ignite, will become executive director of a similar and new statewide program called Launch Minnesota on Aug. 26.

Mollgaard’s task is to build a team that will support entrepreneurs and tech startups and spur innovation that draws “global attention, talent and capital,” said Steve Grove, commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development. …

With an annual budget of $2.5 million, Launch Minnesota will pair private businesses and nonprofit organizations and provide financial incentives, training and grants to people starting companies in technology sectors such as aerospace, agricultural processing, nanotechnology and medical devices. The program formally starts Oct. 1.