PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The value-added programs and services offered at the Technology Incubator provide you with the tools you need to succeed in today’s global economy. Coaching and mentoring, educational events and forums, and student programs are just a few of the benefits you receive at the Technology Incubator.
Services Offered
· Professional Services
· Client Networking
· Coaching and Mentoring
· University Relationships
· Financing/Venture Capital
· Student Employee Program
· Comprehensive Business Assistance
· Educational Events and Forums
Coaching and Mentoring
The Technology Incubator has developed a coaching and mentoring program that provides participants with access to seasoned entrepreneurs and executive professionals (see below) from a variety of disciplines. Quarterly meetings offer leadership and advice to entrepreneurs enrolled in the program. As entrepreneurs grow their business, this value-added service will assist them with strategically shaping their company’s future.
Barry Batcheller, President and CEO of Appareo Systems, LLC, has more than 30 years of experience in electronics design and has founded four successful companies – including Phoenix International, a company that grew to more than 1,400 employees before being acquired by Deere and Company in 1999.
Mr. Batcheller has been named the North Dakota Business Innovator of the Year (1994), Fargo Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year (1995), and the North Dakota Entrepreneur of the Year (2006). In addition to his responsibilities at Appareo Systems, Mr. Batcheller also serves on the boards of directors for several companies and organizations including the NDSU Research & Technology Park and NDSU Alumni Association.
Mr. Batcheller's innovation, enthusiasm, and deep understanding of emerging technologies sets the tone as Appareo Systems strides forward in its quest to build great solutions and better relationships.
Chuck Needham serves as the Director of Sales & Product Management for Phoenix International, a John Deere Company. Chuck received his Electrical Engineering Degree from North Dakota State University in 1986. After graduating, he joined Honeywell Defense Avionics Division in Albuquerque, NM where he worked from 1986 until 1990 when he came back to Fargo to work at Phoenix International.
Phoenix International was a young company in 1990 when Chuck started his career there as an Electronic Design Engineer. He advanced through the company to hold positions of Lead Electronics Engineer and Senior Engineer. In 1994, he received a Masters in Business Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead, MN. Chuck has been a member of the Phoenix International Management Leadership Team since 2002, where he has been a valuable contributor for managing the various aspects of the business through a customer-focused perspective. Most recently, Chuck has been appointed Manager, Marketing & Sales Electronic Solutions within the John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group, furthering his leadership within the John Deere corporate structure and expanding his ability to bring new products to light within both Phoenix International and John Deere.
Prior to forming The Copper River Group, Dan Fisher held dual roles of President and CEO of Community First Technologies, Inc. (CFTI), and Executive Vice President CIO of Community First Bankshares.
His responsibilities included administering all corporate information technology policies. Dan also created and implemented a strategic plan for the technological direction of the company and its subsidiaries.
Under Dan´s leadership, Community First created the multifaceted "development theme" concept for application integration; developed "User Interface" migration strategy to move from mainframe to thin client; and implemented Corporate Information Security Policies, End User Policies, Corporate System & Use Monitoring, Intrusion Detection Monitoring & Response, Project Planning Methodology (for CFTI), Application & Hardware standards (Thin Client) and Bandwidth Utilization Standards (Network and Location).
Dan is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific College in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Neil Doty is President of N.C. Doty & Associates, LLC, a company that helps build organizations that create meaningful jobs, offer growth opportunities, and increase community wealth. The company provides clients with real world experience, ideas, strategies, tactics and results-driven solutions.
N.C. Doty & Associates, LLC, is a business development company that employs expertise, content, behavior and skill to produce effective results for the benefit of client businesses and their associated economic development entities, lending institutions and investment groups.
Neil has also been involved in investment and chief executive management roles with Global Electric Motorcars, LLC, Fargo, ND and Sonne Labs, Inc., Wahpeton, ND. Early in his career, Neil gained valuable business development and manufacturing experience as the Director of Product Development for General Nutrition Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA.
Neil earned a Ph.D. degree in Cereal Chemistry and Technology from North Dakota State University, an MBA degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and a BA degree in Chemistry from Valley City State University. Neil’s mission is to create practical, effective growth strategies and implementation plans that build meaningful employment for communities and their organizations.
Richard J. Kasper is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chrysler, LLC. He was GEM’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until being named President and COO on December 1, 2002.
Prior to joining GEM in 1999, Mr. Kasper spent 11 years with the Jack Kent Cooke organization, which included responsibilities as the Chief Financial Officer for the Los Angeles Daily News.
Active in the electric drive industry, Mr. Kasper is and was the Chairperson for the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2006 Conferences, the EVS-23 International Conference 2007 and was the Chairman of the World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA) in 2006 and 2007. He was also an Executive Board Member of the FM Chamber of Commerce, and speaks at many conferences/industry events.
Under his tenure, GEM has earned many awards including the 2007 WESTSTART/Cal Start Blue Sky award, the 2008 North Dakota Exporter of the Year, the 2008 North Dakota Business Development award and the DaimlerChrysler Environmental Leadership award.
Educational Events and Forums
The Technology Incubator hosts several educational events and forums throughout the year.
Student Employee Program
In an effort to assist with current and future workforce challenges, the Technology Incubator implemented a Student Employee Program whereby students awarded an Entrepreneurial Scholarship are engaged with entrepreneurs in the incubator.
Students volunteer their time each semester to work for entrepreneurs located in the Technology Incubator. This provides students interested in conducting their own entrepreneurial venture with hands-on experience working for a start-up company. In addition, tenants located in the Technology Incubator benefit from the work conducted by the students and are provided with the opportunity to access top talent from the University to meet current and future workforce needs.
“The Technology Incubator has made it possible for Bobcat Company to be involved in the student scholarship program. This program allows us to work with top university talent from multiple disciplines. The students gain insight to office and laboratory working environments and witness the complete product development life cycle.” Scott Rossow, Engineering Manager, Global Electronics Systems, Bobcat Company