Comments for Patent Pending

Comment on Underwhelming…. by Greg Hruby

Greg Hruby — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:05:59 +0000

Tom,
you accept as valid the rhetoric that the investor knows best what to invest in. I would say that you need to add the caveat - for the opportunity to recover money. In other words its a strictly financial benefit. The massively lacking state support (via tax credits) is hung up because there is a desire to impose a wider set of criteria on the selection of worthy investments.
I agree with your general assessment, but you need to flesh out how the state can accommodate its desire to fashion its desire to apply societal goals to the investment process.
I think the bandwagon approach on ethanol (federally supported for owner investors) shows just how an industry that looks good can also carry a lot undesired baggage. There are some communities that are “investment poor” in relation to ethanol and may be waiting years for general return to profitability.
Its that link between the initial investment, long term viability, spatial location of investment and adherence to “State” intent - (regional development, social stability, enhancment of value extraction within state, etc.) that is driving the conflict.
The state either needs to accept that coporations ( investors, developers, producers,..) can do whatever they want and the states only part is to pave whatever incentive road they want OR the state needs to resolve the process of imposing general state goals (societal improvement, community stabilization, maximazed utilization of existing state infrastructure,..) in an investor-palatable system that has a durable horizon.
Regardless of how sweet MN makes the investors options, if the investors feel that they will change with every legislative swing - they will hold back.

Comment on Underwhelming…. by Frank Jaskulke

Frank Jaskulke — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:52:05 +0000

Tom,

The 292 million for buildings at the U of M and 9 million for the biotech facility at Elk Run (not Elk River) are more like the pizza dough and venture investment is like the sauce:-). The U of M buildings give us the translational research capability - which is taking basic science and applying it to patient care - that is needed to bring a concept to the point of venture investment.

The Elk Run facility will give us the ability to manufacture and develop drugs and biologics.

All of that said, you are absolutely right - the efforts of states all around us, ND, WI, OH, to attract venture investment is resulting in rapidly increasing rates of start up company formation.

There are some good groups in Minnesota working with the state to create a robust, comprehensive economic development policy. We’ll all be crossing our fingers for 2009.

Comment on Sinus sufferers rejoice! by Frank Jaskulke

Frank Jaskulke — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:49:49 +0000

This is a great example of how advancing medical technology can improve patient care and potentially save money (less time recovering, less time with a doctor). And its happen right here in our backyard!

Comment on Not your typical high school science class by Frank Jaskulke

Frank Jaskulke — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:00:50 +0000

Tom,

http://arlington.spps.org/Bio-SMART_Pathways.html

Arlington Highschool is doing a similar program. I can give you the coordinator’s contact information if you like, just e-mail me.

- Frank

Comment on Welcome to China. Please avoid the falling chandelier… by Adam Minter

Adam Minter — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:55:03 +0000

Thomas -

Greetings from Shanghai. I hope you made it through your first Chinese earthquake okay.

Just a quick note. You write that Chengdu “is an area that very few Western journalists get to see.”

Who or what gave you THAT impression??? Foreign journalists have been traveling in and out of Chengdu - and the regions around it - for decades. Without problems.

And I write that from experience (I’ve been on assignment in the region for Scientific American and the Los Angeles Times).

In light of the Tibetan protests last month, some of the area has been rendered off-limits. But not Chengdu. In fact, during the protests, Chengdu was where many journalists camped out.

Good luck with your trip.

Adam

Comment on Welcome to China. Please avoid the falling chandelier… by fuwah

fuwah — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:06:28 +0000

Have fun la! Apparently some HKers are missing in that area, hopefully you can find them and report to RTHK! Be careful ok la!

Comment on Welcome to China. Please avoid the falling chandelier… by Terry Prill

Terry Prill — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:46:13 +0000

Last October, we were in Chengdu for 2 days while we waited for our travel visas to Tibet. Despite the “overcast” pollution filled skies, we very much enjoyed our stay in Chengdu. As we progressed from Beijing to Chengdu, I realized the further we got away from Beijing I found the people to speak not as indoctrinated as near the capital. This is a very tragic event for this rich history filled area of China.

Comment on Welcome to China. Please avoid the falling chandelier… by appalled

appalled — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:53:10 +0000

Not one to write comments on any blogs, I felt this incredible urge to write something when I read your blog.

900 children trapped under the rubbel and 7800 people pronounced dead so far, your only concern is “I hope we can go, since this is an area that very few Western jounalists get to see”. Maybe you should say I hope I can go, so I can help recover bodies or feed the survivors, or help the injured. Maybe you should fall to your knees and thank the good lord that you were not there when this happened. Your poor attempt @ humor, total ignorance and lack of compassion in the face of such a tragedy gives new meaning to the word selfish.

Comment on Where we would be without Twister? by Penn

Penn — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:18:05 +0000

Yes you did leave a few things out:

Ralph Samuelson: Water skiing and by association lake water enemas.

Edward Lowe: Kitty litter. Keeping the house at a constant level of stink.

Alexander Miles: Electric Elevator. People get trapped in them sometimes.

Patty Sherman: Perfluoroctane Sulfanate, the key ingredient in the original ScotchGuard, which you, me and every living thing has in minute quantities affecting us in ways that we wont live to understand.

Comment on And now a word from Mr. Wright… by Pete

Pete — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:03:13 +0000

Act 255 in Wisconsin changed the early stage investment environment for start ups dramatically. $ 3.0 million in state tax credits stimulated almost $ 18 million in private investment in nearly 30 early stage Wisconsin technology companies since the legislation was enacted. I had the unique experience of witnessing this first hand as the Business Development VP for Nerites Corporation in Madison while raising money from local angels in the Madison area. Nerites has since gone on to have a very successful institutional Series A round and is now on a high growth trajectory. None of which would have happened without Act 255. The side effect of this legislation is that it created a tool by which the private investment community was incentivized into making higher risk but well grounded investments. In other words, it allowed for the gap funding needed by early stage companies to get through a proof of concept to demonstrate viability to institutional investors based upon technical and managerial merit. If the state wants to help the start up community, passing legislation like Act 255 is a great way to do it. Otherwise, forget trying to artificially stimulate job growth by creating more quazi state sponsored and under funded “alliances” and “zones” which only sews confusion and erodes credibility with the investment community. We past that point years ago. The immediate issue is to pass legislation that will target and stimulate sound investments by professionals into great technologies and management teams, then get out of the way and watch growth happen.