Though a law-abiding citizen, Terri Zimmerman fully recognizes she has a difficult time staying within posted speed limits. "People know I like to reach destinations quickly." That driving energy is clearly apparent in her work to assist start-up technology companies in the NDSU Research & Technology Park.

A native of Hannah, N.D., population 20, nestled near the Canadian-U.S. border, Zimmerman's business career has focused upon companies geared for growth. As the first business development specialist for the NDSU Research & Technology Park, Zimmerman's role has one central focus--providing promising entrepreneurs and fledgling businesses the tools needed to increase their success. Such tools include coaching, financing, business plan development and networking opportunities.

Zimmerman, who joined the Research Park in December 2006, will be working in the newly-opened Center for Technology Enterprise (CTE) within the Park. Potential services to businesses include access to experts for business coaching, client networking, financing and CEO forums. "Overall, we are looking for companies to complement NDSU's technical research areas and core competencies in the areas of bioscience, information technology, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing," said Zimmerman.

In her new position, Zimmerman's focus areas include: developing business strategies and strategic partner relationships, financial planning and equity formation. She will draw on her extensive business experience to guide young companies. Zimmerman's previous experience includes working as a certified public accountant at Deloitte and Touche, where she especially enjoyed assisting emerging businesses with a need for financing.

In addition, Zimmerman served as chief operating and financial officer of Dakota Technologies, Inc., Fargo, chief financial officer for Wamnet, Inc., Eagan, Minn., and chief financial officer and vice president of operations at the former Great Plains Software, Fargo, now Microsoft Business Solutions.

She has led efforts to raise more than $500 million for various technology companies during her career. At Wamnet, she raised more than $300 million in private equity and debt, enabling the company to build one of the largest intranets in the world. Zimmerman also led business evaluation and due diligence teams in acquiring several companies while at Great Plains Software, as well as the company's successful initial public offering and secondary offering. She also serves as president of the Fargo/Moorhead Regional Angel Investor Network, known as the RAIN Fund, located in the NDSU Research & Technology Park.

With such varied professional experience, Zimmerman said she greatly enjoys working with start-up companies--an environment that breeds high energy and creative thought. "There is amazing teamwork that occurs in start-up companies. They believe in the mission and vision of the company and have a drive to get their products and services into the market. Being part of that process to help them grow is tremendously exciting."

Zimmerman's skills and drive to propel projects forward will be an asset to potential businesses locating in the Tech Park, according to Tony Grindberg, executive director. "The qualities and business experience Terri brings are essential to technology companies that are launching their businesses. Services we provide in the Center for Technology Enterprise are geared to help them increase their chances of success."

From her perspective, Zimmerman said the opportunity to return to North Dakota when she joined Great Plains Software was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "I want to be a part of creating more opportunities for jobs in North Dakota," she said. The services being developed through the NDSU Center for Technology Enterprise will be broad-based. "We want to provide these services in a process that will nurture these developing companies." Zimmerman mentions that she likes to build things, but instead of being an architect, her chosen path has been to provide expertise that helps build businesses. Start-up technology companies interested in opportunities provided through the NDSU Center for Technology Enterprise should contact Zimmerman at 701.231.6698 or at terri@ndsuresearchpark.com.