Uncategorized
StartupBozeman connecting region’s entrepreneurial resources
Published
11 years agoon
By Sean Forbes ExploreBigSky.com Contributor
There was a time in and around the Gallatin Valley, not long ago, when the young and restless drawn here by institutions like Montana State University and mountains such as Lone Peak had to choose between a certain quality of life or making what would commonly be considered a comfortable living. That was quite often somewhere else.
StartupBozeman — a burgeoning network of entrepreneurial professionals primarily organized by Rob Irizarry, Gary Gannon and Jake Cook — sees that scenario changing, and is working to bring together the resources to help make it happen.
“There’s always people doing things, it’s just a matter of providing a place for them all to gather,” Irizarry said. “It’s kind of interesting to see how many people there are that were sort of looking for this.”
What began with the blogging efforts of Irizarry, who looks at his work as a return to his startup roots after leaving RightNow Technologies following its acquisition by Oracle, is blossoming into a sort of Farmers’ Alamanac for small businesses by connecting those who have been there before with others just starting out.
StartupBozeman has also branched out into mentoring at Bozeman High School and informal meetings at Rockford Coffee every Thursday.
“One of the things about the entrepreneur deal is there’s no map,” Irizarry said. “You’ve got to figure out all this stuff. So one thing that’s interesting about entrepreneurs, the smart ones, they realize that even though it’s a different business many of those problems are the same.”
With the growth of the internet, and technology in general, as well as lean business practices relieving some initial costs, starting a business no longer has to be the monumental undertaking it once was. And, despite the current economic situation, Irizarry sees plenty of opportunity, and more than a few actual examples, of people taking the initiative and pursuing their passions.
That motivation is bearing fruit, like Oracle’s interest in RightNow.
“If you look historically, often those large exits, which there’s no doubt this was a large exit, provides a bunch of different seed[s] for a startup community,” Irizarry said. “So there are people with talent, money, experience, all the kind of stuff in the Petri dish that you need to get a startup community to the next level.”
To that end, StartupBozeman is also working to connect those communities and interests already developing throughout the state.
“In Big Sky, I’m … there are a lot of people that live there or own property up there who have done it, exited, and are now kind of done,” Irizarry said. “But those kinds of people, they can’t help themselves. They’re wired that way. So I think there is a tremendous opportunity in relation to Big Sky both for investment and the talent pool.
“Here’s a guy who built a company, or was CFO of the company, or has a marketing specialty, or is an electrical engineer, or whatever those talent pools are, where they could mentor companies in Big Sky or in Bozeman. The hard part when you start out [is]— to use the Montana expression — ‘if you haven’t been to the rodeo, it’s all new.’”
That’s where StartupBozeman sees experience stepping in and helping to bolster an admittedly daunting success rate. Something Irizarry hopes will not only benefit the bold few, but will eventually translate into a broader prosperity.
“I’ve got three kids. I’d love to see them, when they graduate from high school or MSU, not have to leave,” Irizarry said. “So many parents, they look at it and where do their kids go? They go to Seattle, or D.C, or they go to Silicon Valley, because that’s where the jobs are.
“I think that dynamic is also changing, and will continue to … I think it’s less about the talent-pool problem anymore, and more about protecting that culture – that we don’t need or want a Silicon Valley here. We want to keep the special part special, and actually leverage that to build something that’s unique.”
To join the conversation or just keep up with the latest from StartupBozeman, visit startupbozeman.com.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm