Tech.MN reports on Innovate 218…

From Grand Rapids to Duluth, Northeast Minnesota is well known as including a region called the Iron Range, where historically mining and other natural resources championed the local industries.

“They have many of  the elements there — thriving higher education, broadband, local champions, and strong corporate innovators,” Neela Mollgaard, Executive Director of Launch Minnesota, said. The last region to join Launch MN’s 8 hub and 80 program partner initiatives across the state, the area holds a lot of promise for innovation.

“It’s been great to see these organizations across Minnesota come together. They’ve all been serving entrepreneurs for years, and now are purposefully working together to start and scale new ventures ” Mollgaard said. “They are building on their local strengths while leveraging statewide resources and best practices.”

The main innovative areas remain in the natural resources sphere, according to Tim White, Business Development and Intellectual Property Manager at University of Minnesota Duluth / Natural Resources Research Institute.

“Northeast Minnesota has amazing natural resources available. We are charged with considering responsible use of those resources,” White said, mentioning the minerals, forests, and freshwater that are in abundance.