Posts Tagged ‘Amoskeag Business Incubator’
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
Congrats to our friends at the abi Innovation Hub!!
The abi Innovation Hub (abi) (formerly Amoskeag Business Incubator) has unveiled its formal rebranding and 2011 strategic plan focused on technology innovation. The 14-year-old 501(c)(3), originally formed as a collaboration between Southern New Hampshire University and the City of Manchester, believes its stable foundation coupled with its new vision will elevate its relevance and attract the most innovative minds, ideas and businesses in New England.
 “It’s invigorating to have the abi back on the path to changing the business landscape in New Hampshire by creating jobs and wealth, fostering the area’s entrepreneurial climate and accelerating growth of local industry. The rediscovered energy is contagious,” said Ed French, long standing board member and MBA Director from Franklin Pierce University.
In October 2010, the abi brought on Jamie Coughlin as VP, Strategic Initiatives & Entrepreneur in Residence focused on strategic growth, recruitment of technology startups and innovation, strengthening of affiliate programs, formation of business and non-profit partnerships, building of support programs and services for members, and the creation of a national voice representing the abi and innovation out of New Hampshire. Working alongside Michele Petersen, VP, Operations, who has been with the abi for three years, Coughlin, a serial entrepreneur and graduate of Princeton University, will lead a new vision of open source entrepreneurship.
“These are exciting times for people with big ideas and the new abi will literally be a hub for all things startup,” added Coughlin. “In recent years, there has been an influx of new innovation centers, business mentor programs, next generation incubators, angel and venture capital portfolios forming and seeing great success. We recognize that we’ve been behind the times a bit and that many of these organizations have thrived in larger cities, but our new leadership and board is dedicated to harnessing and catapulting innovation in our region.”
Manchester-based marketing and advertising agency, Griffin York & Krause (GY&K), provided the new branding, packaging and positioning for the abi free of charge, displaying its commitment to entrepreneurship and technology in New England. Touted as a marketing innovation firm, GY&K, dove in with both feet helping to create the abi’s new vision and tagline, “ideas | innovation | impact.”
The abi has also increased its board of directors from six to 10 members, many focused on Internet startups with specialties in venture capital and strategic investments, patent and IP law, technology operations and production, real estate and property management, sales, marketing, customer service and finance and accounting. Each director brings a shared focus of sustainability and long-term viability, fueled by revenue growth and profitability, which yields continued relevancy for the abi.
“We knew that we needed to evolve and shift our positioning to return to prominence. Rebuilding our board was our starting point,” said Pete Lachance, Board Chair of the abi and CPA at Howe, Riley & Howe. “We’ve rebranded, are building out a socially connected website, assembled a stable and engaged board, livened up and wired our space, partnered with key technology companies and VC firms, and even have an event series in the works. You will see our board serve as a moving board of mentors for all abi companies past, present and future. Do you have an idea? Are you a startup or early phase business looking to work amongst likeminded entrepreneurs? Join the abi community.”
Tags: abi Innovation Hub, Amoskeag Business Incubator, Ed French, Franklin Pierce University, Griffin York & Krause, Howe Riley & Howe, Jamie Coughlin, Michele Peterson, Pete Lachance, Southern New Hampshire University
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Friday, January 7th, 2011
Congrats to International Trade Resource Center Director Dawn Wivell who has been selected as January’s “Ask-the-Expert” online forum expert in coordination with the Union Leader and the Amoskeag Business Incubator. Here’s the write-up that recently appeared in the UL.
New Hampshire businesses curious about expanding into foreign markets can be daunted by the seemingly endless questions involved in international trade.
 However, New Hampshire has experienced record highs in export sales for the past three years, and with the majority of the Granite State’s businesses classified as small businesses, the climate may be exactly right for your business answer those questions and enter the global marketplace.
January’s “Ask-the-Expert” online forum features Dawn Wivell, director of the state’s International Trade Resource Center. In an article penned for the Expert series, Wivell says, “As you plan for the growth and stability of your business, it is a good thing to remember that 95% of the world’s consumers live outside of the United States. Enormous opportunities exist for U.S. exports in the developing markets, many of which represent the world’s fastest growing economies.”
She encourages New Hampshire businesses to consider exporting in 2011, and is available for expert advice and questions through the forum online at www.unionleader.com and www.abi-nh.com.
Tags: Amoskeag Business Incubator, Dawn Wivell, International Trade Resource Center, Union Leader
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Thursday, October 21st, 2010
It was a real pleasure for the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development to be a sponsor of last night’s New Hampshire Business Review “Business Excellence Awards” at Southern New Hampshire University. This was a great celebration of New Hampshire’s best and brightest companies and the good folks at NHBR were rewarded for their hard work with a packed room.
Special congrats are in order for “No Bull Business Blog” guest blogger Dr. Russ Ouellette of Sojourn Partners who was recognized with an award in the “Business Services” category. Way to go Russ!!
Here’s a recap of last night’s festivities:
New Hampshire Business Review honored 14 individuals at the 2010 Business Excellence Awards, which recognize the efforts and achievements owners of businesses with 100 employees or fewer.
More than 50 nominations in 13 categories were received, making the job of the 14 judges that much more difficult.
More than 300 people attended the Oct. 20 event, which was held at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.
Because of the extraordinary number of accomplished candidates, NHBR also named a tie in the Retail category and finalists in several other categories.
NHBR also announced two inductees into the Business Excellence Hall of Fame, which singles out people whose entire careers have been marked by a consistent and impressive record of accomplishments, both in their chosen fields, in their communities, and across the state and beyond. These honorees were selected by a separate panel of judges.
“Each of the businesspeople who receive these honors has a different story to tell,” said Sharron McCarthy, president of McLean Communications and publisher of NHBR. “But what they have in common is determination, industriousness and the ability to come up with innovative solutions that have allowed their businesses to survive and thrive, regardless of economic conditions, and a commitment to serving their communities.”
 NHBR Editor Jeff Feingold Jeff Feingold, editor of NHBR, said, “We would like to salute all of the nominees, the people who nominated them and the winners themselves for their contributions toward making New Hampshire a great place to do business.”
Emcee was Charlie Sherman, host of WGIR-AM’s morning news talk program.
A portion of the proceeds from the evening benefited Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, which advocates for New Hampshire children in the state’s court system in cases of neglect and abuse.
The winners of the 2010 NHBR Business Excellences Awards were:
 "Business Services" winner Dr. Russ Ouellette • Excellence in Business Services — Russ Ouellette, Sojourn Partners LLC, Bedford
• Excellence in Construction — G. Hayden McLaughlin, Belknap Landscape Co., Inc., Gilford
• Excellence in Financial Services — Frank Teas, The Nashua Bank
• Excellence in Health Care — Joshua Siegal, M.D., Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, Exeter
• Excellence in Hospitality — Carol Sheehan, The Red Arrow 24 Hr. Franchising Inc., Manchester
• Excellence in Media & Marketing — Linda Fanaras, Millennium Integrated Marketing Inc., Manchester
• Excellence in Nonprofits — Peter Kelleher, Partnership for Successful Living, Nashua
• Excellence in Professional Services — Jonathan Halle, Warrenstreet Architects, Concord
• Excellence in Real Estate — Quentin Keefe, Regency Mortgage Corp., Manchester
• Excellence in Retail (tie) — Susan Lozier Robert, Frederick’s Pastries, Amherst; Curt Jacques, West Lebanon Feed & Supply
• Excellence in Technology — Jason Alexander, Alexander Technology Group, Bedford
The 2010 NHBR Business Excellence Hall of Fame Inductees were:
• Alex Ray, founder, Common Man Family of Restaurants
• Lew Feldstein, former chairman, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
The judges for the 2010 NHBR Business Excellence Awards were:
• Jennifer Boulanger, loan officer at Capital Region Economic Development Corp. in Concord and former executive director of the Belknap County Economic Development Council based in Laconia
• Robin Comstock, president and CEO, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
• Roy Duddy, interim director, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development
• Lou Guevin, former chairman, Junior Achievement of New Hampshire
• Julie Gustafson, president and CEO, Amoskeag Business Incubator, Manchester
• Richard Hanson, professor, accounting and taxation, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester; executive director, Institute for Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, SNHU
• Mahboubul Hassan, professor, economics and finance, SNHU
• Lise Howson, vice president and business banking relationship manager, Citizens Bank
• Witmer Jones, New Hampshire district director, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Dave Juvet, senior vice president, Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire
• Patrick F. McDermott, economic and community development manager, Public Service Company of New Hampshire
• Tim Sink, president, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
• Ashley Smith, business editor, The Nashua Telegraph
• Chip Underhill, senior marketing manager, FairPoint Communications, Manchester
Sponsors of the event were FairPoint Communications, Laconia Savings Bank, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England, Public Service of New Hampshire, J Maze Design, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Merrimack Street Volvo, WGIR-AM 610, New Hampshire Public Television and Southern New Hampshire University. — NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW
Tags: Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, Alex Ray, Alexander Technology Group, Amoskeag Business Incubator, Ashley Smith, Belknap Landscape Co., Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire, Capital Region Economic Development Corp., Carol Sheehan, CASA, Charlie Sherman, Chip Underhill, Citizens Bank, Common Man Family of Restaurants, Curt Jacques, Dave Juvet, FairPoint Communications, Frank Teas, Frederick's Pastries, G. Hayden McLaughlin, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England, J Maze Design, Jason Alexander, Jeff Feingold, Jennifer Boulanger, Jonathan Halle, Joshua Siegal M.D., Julie Gustafson, Junior Achievement of New Hampshire, Lew Feldstein, Linda Fanaras, Lise Howson, Lou Guevin, Mahboubul Hassan, Merrimack Street Volvo, Millenium Advertising, Nashua Telegraph, New Hampshire Business Review, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, New Hampshire Public Television, Partnership for Successful Living, Pat McDermott, Peter Kelleher, Public Service of New Hampshire, Quentin Keefe, Regency Mortgage Corp., Richard Hanson, Robin Comstock, Roy Duddy, Russ Ouellette, Sharron McCarthy, Sojourn Partners, Southern New Hampshire University, Susan Lozier Robert, The Nashua Bank, The Red Arrow, Tim Sink, U.S. Small Business Administration, Warrenstreet Architects, West Lebanon Feed & Supply, WGIR-AM, Witmer Jones
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
Speed dating is usually a hit or miss phenomenon – either you’re wowed by the endless array of attractive members of the opposite sex vying for your attention or you’re scouting out an open window in the restroom as an escape hatch.
Thankfully, that’s not the case with next Wednesday’s (10/28/09) 2nd Annual Speed Venture Summit™ scheduled for 2-5 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua with networking to follow from 5:15-7:30 p.m. This Summit is billed as the event “Where Capital and Business Match in Minutes™.”
 Simply put, the Speed Venture Summit™ is the premier speed dating style event for fast growth businesses and investors in New England, hosted by the New Hampshire High Technology Council and the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, and brought to you by Gold Sponsor Comcast Business Class.
The Speed Venture Summit™ is an opportunity for companies to privately pitch their growth stories in person to suitable investors.
The first annual Speed Venture Summit™ whisked New England’s hottest young companies together with investors for 15-minute “dates,” leading to dozens of follow-up phone calls and e-mails for promising long-term relationships.
Twenty-six different investor groups ranked the most compelling stories from fifty entrepreneurs, who then pitched to a feverish standing-room crowd of 325 tech leaders from throughout the region.
The fan-o-meter awarded the Summit’s top prizes to Animetrics Inc. of Conway, N.H. for its facial recognition software that uses facial templates like a fingerprint to identify people at a checkpoint, and Foneshow Inc. of Truro, Mass. that enables audio and radio clips to be played on a cell phone.
Corporate sponsors for this year’s event include KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting and the Alexander Technology Group; networking sponsors include Borealis Ventures, Cook, Little, Rosenblatt & Manson, pllc, Dynamic Network Services, Good Leads and Mass High Tech; promotional partners include the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and the Amoskeag Business Incubator.
To learn more, visit www.speedventuresummit.org. Don’t worry about bringing roses, chocolate or candy – just bring your excellent business ideas and your enthusiasm!
Tags: Alexander Technology Group, Amoskeag Business Incubator, Animetrics, Borealis Ventures, Comcast Business Class, Dynamic Network Services, Foneshow Inc., Good Leads, KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting, Mass High Tech, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, New Hampshire High Technology Council, New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, Speed Venture Summit
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Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
With 90 percent of online traffic being generated via search engines, it’s imperative for companies to ensure that their business’ names fight their way to the top of the Web pile. With that in mind, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development will be joining together with Windhill Design to hold a “Maximizing Your Web Presence” workshop at the Division of Economic Development (172 Pembroke Rd.) on Thursday, September 17th from 9 a.m.-noon.
“Having an effective Web site that is easily found and well positioned is an absolute necessity for business growth,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “There are literally millions of options for customers searching for services in cyberspace so now more than ever, it’s important to stand out from the crowd.”
As part of the interactive workshop, participants will develop valuable skills in keyword research, discover how their site stands now in comparison to their online competition and gain an introduction to Pay-Per-Click, local search and social media.
 “This will be an excellent overview of how online promotion and marketing can influence a company’s bottom line. Having an effective Web presence drives sales and profit,” said guest presenter Link Moser, owner of Gilford, NH-based Windhill Design. Moser, who founded Windhill in 1996, has been a guest speaker at several events including workshops and classes for the MicroCredit NH, Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Amoskeag Business Incubator, NH Technical Institute and the NH Farm & Forest Expo. His own company Web site, www.windhill.com, consistently ranks at the top of Google for such phrases like “NH web design,” “NH web designer,” and “NH website design.”
Admission to this workshop is free but is limited to the first 40 registrants. To register, please email your name, company name, address, telephone number and Web site (if any) to Leslie Sherman at the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development at lsherman@dred.state.nh.us.
Tags: Amoskeag Business Incubator, Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Leslie Sherman, Link Moser, MicroCredit NH, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, NH Farm & Forest Expo, NH Technical Institute, Steve Boucher, Windhill Design
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