The government is an untapped market in need of what New Hampshire businesses produce and there is assistance available for those companies who would like to do business with Uncle Sam.
The New Hampshire Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) offers free training and events to help businesses of all sizes tap into this viable market. (Click on the free training link for upcoming events).
“The US government spent over $100 billion on contracts with small businesses last year,” said David Pease, program manager of NH-PTAP.
The introductory and training seminars PTAP conducts are held in every region of the state, many aimed at the specific types of businesses in those regions that can fill the various needs of the government.
For example, in the Seacoast area, there are contracts for painting, environmental services and more. Around Keene and Claremont, there are companies that could fill the government’s needs for parks maintenance with landscaping, fuel delivery and other project opportunities. In the Manchester area, there is a constant need for companies to handle security contracts, hospitality services and more. The Lakes Region needs caterers and the North Country needs food products for the federal prison in Berlin. In all these areas, the government could do with contracts for commercial real estate.
With all these opportunities available what is holding New Hampshire businesses back from reaching for the government contacts available? For many, it is the intimidating rules and regulations that come with these contracts.
“The reason PTAP exists is because the government is a very large market and it is so different from regular business, that it takes knowledge to be competitive,” Pease said.
This is where NH-PTAP becomes a valuable resource.
NH-PTAP assisted a company in Dover that makes strap-based products in securing a government contract to make seatbelts for shopping carts. In Epping, a fire arms training school won a federal contract to teach various classes. Up north in Dalton, Team O’Neil won a contract to instruct US Special Forces in high level driving skills.
What need can your product fill for the government? Contact NH-PTAP at 603-271-7581 or online. If you have any questions, contact Amanda Duquette or call 603-271-7581.
(Commissioner Jeffrey Rose returns today from Turkey, following a week-long trade mission to that country, led by Gov. Hassan. Also accompanying the governor were representatives of seven New Hampshire businesses – Comptus of Thornton; Conductive Compounds of Hudson; Demers & Blaisdell of Concord; Hinkley Allen of Concord; Mae Consulting of Deerfield; Rokon of Rochester and Ulysses Advisory Group of East Kingston.)
Gov. Hassan delivered the keynote speech to the Kaza Women and Business Association.
Our trade mission to Turkey has been an extraordinary experience. Our companies had over 100 business-to-business meetings and are returning home with dozens of high quality leads. Gov. Hassan went non-stop over the past week, meeting with many of the most senior business people in the country and receiving high praise from the more than 200 businesses she directly connected with during the mission. Some of the most gratifying moments of the trade mission came in her meetings with women business leaders and how inspired they were by her.
Financing being a key factor in international trade and economic development, we met with Garanti Bank, the leading private bank in Turkey. The U.S., through the Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC), has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Turkey, with a particular emphasis on women-owned businesses.
Garanti Bank’s contributions have made a positive impact here and since nearly 20 percent of OPIC’s investments have been projects in Turkey (our long-standing NATO partner), this underscores its importance to the U.S.
During the trade mission, I met with numerous senior level executives representing companies eyeing expansion into the U.S. market – a receptive audience for outlining the benefits of expanding to New Hampshire and to map out potential options for their consideration.
Of note is a fast growing international company seeking a potential warehouse/distribution center here in the Northeast. Its overseas investment director was very interested in our lower cost of doing business, compared to rest of the region. Another company that stood out is a leading forest-products company in Turkey, interested in our timber and mill capacity. The company is very successful in Turkey and looking to grow in markets around the globe.
Thursday was another busy day for Gov. Hassan, the seven New Hampshire businesses taking part in this trade mission, and our team from DRED. Starting with breakfast, joined by a diverse group of Parliament members, it was followed by a robust discussion about government processes in Turkey and U.S, as well as how important international trade is in providing opportunities and benefits for both countries.
The opportunity to talk about New Hampshire’s growing aerospace and defense sectors came in a meeting I, and members of the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium, had with leaders of the OSTIM Defense and Aviation Custer of Turkey. We had a spirited discussion about the important role the sector plays in both our economies and the collective efforts to organize and promote emerging clusters in both countries. It was an opportunity to highlight two New Hampshire companies on the trade mission – Rokon of Rochester and Conductive Compounds of Hudson – and develop networking opportunities for them to engage with the Turkish industry. We also discussed best practices and picked up some dynamic ideas to bring back to our growing NHADEC organization.
To talk more about the opportunities for New Hampshire businesses to make strategic investments into Turkey, I met with Ahmet Erdem, head of Investor Services Department with the Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT). We discussed the emerging sectors within the rapidly growing Turkish economy and incentive programs there to help spur international investment. The country’s investment system targets geographic locations, strategic sectors, R&D, and duty/tax reductions. With its growing purchasing power and its location at the cross roads of Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe, Turkey is attracting lots of foreign investment.
I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with Metin Deger, head of the Ministry of Economy for the Republic of Turkey, and speak about the benefits of Turkish companies investing in New Hampshire. He is responsible for counseling Turkish companies on overseas investments and helps identify markets for companies. He was impressed with what the Granite State offers foreign investors, particularly our strategic geographic location, skilled workforce and low tax structure. It was a great discussion and once we provide some more information, he will promote New Hampshire to a variety of industries, associations and business groups.
I need to again thank our hosts – the Turkish Cultural Center and TUSKON – for their efforts in making our trade mission with Turkey so successful. Those efforts, which included months of planning and highly coordinated logistics, were extraordinary.
I am confident this is just the beginning of a long term relationship that will continue to yield fruits for both countries as we seeking opportunities to grow trade between New Hampshire and Turkey.
Jeffrey Rose
Commissioner
New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development
Cutting the ribbon on EIT’s new location in Salem.
With a snip of the scissors, a red velvet ribbon was cut last Thursday in Salem to mark the opening of one of New Hampshire’s newest companies, Electronic Instrumentation and Technology.
Joined by workers, clients, suppliers and supporters (including our own Cynthia Harrington, who assisted in the relocation from Methuen, Mass.), EIT officials celebrated the Virginia-based electronic manufacturing service provider’s fifth location, an electronic manufacturing facility.
Employees, customers and vendors celebrated EIT’s move to Salem.
“The new EIT Salem facility shows EIT’s commitment to our customers and the entire New England region,” said David Faliskie, EIT president and COO. “In January, EIT will begin our 38th year in business. EIT’s physical resources, along with our dedicated staff, create a situation which allows us to meet our customer’s requirements and keep EIT as a premiere EMS provider.”
Nearly a year ago, EIT acquired a contract manufacturer in nearby Methuen, Mass., and began planning to move operations to New Hampshire. Its new facility at 19 Keewaydin Dr., is double in size, to 30,000 square-feet and features ESD flooring, new energy efficient lighting and new and upgraded equipment. The Salem plant supports both prototype and production builds.
Harrington, business recruiter for the Division of Economic Development, worked with the EIT team as it considered relocating to New Hampshire.
“In terms of distance, the company is just a few miles from its previous location in Massachusetts, but the business climate is vastly different,” she said. “A combination of New Hampshire’s business climate, pool of highly skilled and highly educated workforce and available commercial real estate made this a logical choice for a growing company like EIT.” Alicia Gagne
We love business success stories and New Hampshire celebrates another one today, as Nanocomp Technologies in Merrimack celebrates its 10th anniversary with the announcement that it will triple its manufacturing capacity, creating at least 70 jobs.
Peter Antoinette and Gov. Hassan at Nanocomp Technologies celebration
We often say that New Hampshire is home to manufacturers who make a product that is made no where else in the country, if not the planet.
Nanocomp Technologies is one of those companies. It is the only commercial producer of carbon nanotube-based sheets, tapes and yarns. It has been working closely with the Department of Defense to reduce the weight of body armor for our troops, while maintaining the level of performance for soldiers and law enforcement.
In fact, this ambitious expansion is made possible by an $18.5 million contract from DoD. By year’s end, Nanocomp will triple its manufacturing capabilities and adding 70 new jobs.
“This is a great day for our company,” said Nanocomp CEO and president Peter Antoinette. “Ten years ago, we had two employees; today we have 76, with plans to more than double that over the next year.”
More than 100 people attended the festivities at the company’s plant in Merrimack, including US Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte and Gov. Maggie Hassan.
“Nanocomp’s expansion reinforces that our tax-friendly enviroment, responsive state government, highly skilled workforce and quality of life make New Hampshire as attractive state for business as any in the country,” Hassan said.
Later this month, Gov. Hassan and I will accompany representatives of seven New Hampshire companies on a trade mission to Turkey, the first in several years. We are excited about the prospect of making connections in a country whose economy is vibrant and eager to do business with us.
International trade plays a vital role in our state’s economy and the legislature recognized this when it passed the bipartisan budget, which included funding for the state to resume trade missions. The International Trade Resource Center has organized trade missions over the past 15 years, to countries including Brazil, Chile, England, France, India, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands. The cumulative result of these trips was tens of millions in contracts to businesses and manufacturers right here at home and relationships that helped to keep our state strong in challenging times.
A key to growth and prosperity for any company is the ability to find new customers. Securing global markets diversifies their bottom line. Trade missions offer connections and opportunities for our companies, which typically don’t have the means to hire export specialists. With a trade mission, we can offer resources to open many doors in a short time, such as partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce and local business organizations in the host country to find potential partners.
Having the governor lead the mission elevates our companies as they meet with business and government organizations. This would not happen for a business going it alone.
When New Hampshire, and the nation, suffered through the recession a few years ago, we weathered it far better than some of our neighbors. This was, in large part, because our businesses sought out overseas markets to diversify their customer base, gain more orders and, most importantly, keep their employees working. That’s why in 2010, we set a record for exporting, sending $4.4 billion worth of goods around the world.
In 2013, New Hampshire led the nation in export growth, increasing its merchandise exports by more than 22 percent, to $4.3 billion. This demonstrates that our businesses and manufacturers can design, create and make products and components that are in demand around the world.
The momentum continues into 2014. Planning began months ago for the state’s first overseas trade mission since 2011 and included months of research, discussion about the needs of our businesses and where the demand is for their products and services.
Turkey quickly emerged as an important market for several reasons: It’s our 12th largest trading partner – last year, we sent $79 million in goods and services there. Its geographical location, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, makes it an attractive hub and there are increasing opportunities for our businesses, especially in areas such as aerospace and defense, health and medical technologies, education and construction machinery.
With the assistance of the Turkish Cultural Center in Manchester and the partnership with TUSKON (representing seven business federations, 202 business associations and over 50,000 entrepreneurs), we have arranged five full days of introductions, meetings and networking for our businesses in Istanbul and Ankara, as well as a news conference providing even wider exposure for the state.
In March, the state was running $25 million ahead of its revenue plan for the year, a solid fiscal position. April revenues fell significantly short of the previous year, although the state continues to run $3.9 million over its projections.
As a precaution in case revenues continue to fall, Gov. Hassan issued an executive order that includes a freeze on out-of-state travel. At that time, the governor and I, our businesses and our partners had discussions about whether to cancel the trade mission.
But the state, the participating companies and our partners in Turkey had already made significant financial investments into this trade mission, months before revenues dropped and the freeze was enacted.
I cannot overstate the value of international trade to New Hampshire’s economy and how eager our businesses are to explore exporting and to send their goods to global markets. The legislature agreed.
To cancel this trade mission would result in significant losses not only to our businesses, but in potential economic growth for New Hampshire.
Jeffrey Rose is the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development.
In this season of graduation and commencement, Jeffrey Rose, commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, was the keynote speaker Friday at the hooding ceremony at the UNH Paul College of Business and Economics. His remarks follow. Best wishes to the Class of 2014.
Thank you to Dean Garron for your warm introduction. It’s truly an honor to be here this afternoon and be a part of the UNH Paul College of Business and Economics Hooding Ceremony.
Commissioner Jeffrey Rose
I am especially pleased to be a part of this event and your graduation weekend, as it’s one of those magical moments in your life; it’s an experience anyone who has donned a cap and gown will not soon forget. It’s a moment to pay respect to your past and to anticipate and embrace your future.
For the graduates, it’s a time of reflection – thinking about the adventures and experiences that have brought you to this moment. But also about the opportunities and journeys that are about to begin. Today is a day to be inspired – by your fellow classmates, your professors, and all those who are wishing you well in your next endeavors.
For me, being here today prompted me to revisit my graduation a few years ago – ok – close to 20 years ago – and remember the speaker at my commencement. At the time, former NYC police chief Ray Kelly had just returned from an assignment in Haiti and his words were especially powerful, even all these years later.
His comments focused on the importance of speaking the truth, being loyal, and acting in an ethical fashion. All very relevant and wise comments, but there was one other interesting point he made – never to follow a job just because of the money.
While that may be hard to digest with looming college loans just around the corner, thinking about it more closely – there is a deeper message in the comment – and one that has been a driving force behind every opportunity I have encountered.
Passion.
Passion is the currency that will bring riches to your life, not the numbers on a paycheck.
This has not always been a truth that I’ve known, but upon reflection, it’s been a steady driver in the successes of each phase of my life. I’ve worked to harness my passions through every activity – playing sports, enjoying the outdoors, connecting with friends and family, and certainly in the career choices I’ve made.
And when you follow your passions, a willingness to lead, to discover and to be happy is much closer to your grasp. It allows the all the pieces to fold together and make the whole all the greater.
Following my passions have served me well – to be a positive contributor to causes, beliefs, and values that I hold true and dear. They are filters and guideposts in times of challenging decisions and incredible opportunities.
This has kept me here in New Hampshire – a place I knew early on I did not want to leave – and led me to a career opportunity that fuels one of my greatest passions – public service.
Serving the state I love as the commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development is extraordinarily rewarding.
Every day is a new challenge, challenges that are offset each morning knowing that I have the opportunity to make a difference, by preserving, protecting and promoting the elements here that we all love and which collectively help produce the amazing quality of life for which New Hampshire is known.
Whether it’s our remarkable landscape and natural resources, our parks and historic sites, promoting our attractions and destinations or nurturing our distinctively friendly business environment, I have the opportunity to make a contribution – a positive impact in every corner of the state – each and every day.
This was never a career I thought possible, and in all honesty, I had not even thought much about … especially when I was wearing a cap and gown 20-years ago.
At that time, I would have scoffed at the suggestion that following my passions would land where I am now … in a career I love for its rewards and challenges.
Following my passions uncovered personal riches and happiness, which are priceless.
As you move forward with the next chapter in your lives and assess your career options, I encourage you to find your passions. To play to your strengths, beliefs and ideals that are true to you.
You are New Hampshire’s freshly-minted business leaders and I suspect you are all eager to make a difference. With an open mind and heart, your passion can be your inner compass that steers you forward in a direction that will bring great rewards.
With our boundless technology giving businesses new ways to be competitive, the opportunities to make a difference are waiting for you to grab.
Working with businesses every day, I see owners and managers looking for leaders to add to their teams. They seek leaders with a passion, drive and a sense of purpose in what they are doing.
I can tell you this … businesses are starving for the next generation of thinkers, doers, creators and dreamers.
And to think of the path that remains before you is incredibly exciting. To think about the advances you will see in technology, in social responsibility, in global connectivity, and personal opportunity are only limited by your imagination.
I hope you will pursue your passions and be among those that bring vision and drive to our economy in New Hampshire.
As you know, it’s such a distinctive state, characterized by its hardworking, honest, and community oriented people. We are a state that relies heavily on having a healthy business environment and consistently ranks at the top of the lists of best states to live, work, and raise a family – and maintaining this enviable climate is going to need drive, determination … and yes … passion.
To sustain our advantages, we need to constantly infuse our workforce with skill and enthusiasm. We need people from various perspectives and diverse backgrounds to help bring out the best thinking and creativity. We need people like you, who have received a first rate education from our state’s university, to step forward, with your passions, to lead our state – our economy – beginning today.
Along with your education, there is something else I encourage you to carry with you as far and as long as you can … and that is the connections you have made through the years.
While it’s never been easier to keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues through technology, it’s the personal relationships that you forged here, that have the potential to make a difference in your lives.
Look around, there is a lot of talent around you, don’t be afraid to tap into that talent as you build your network. Collectively you share a common connection, a link to your past, but perhaps even more important, a seed to your future.
In seeking out your passion, know that you will find it enhanced by the people sitting beside you and the people seated beside them. This is the start of a network that will be both a guide and an inspiration. Learning from others, seeking role models, and identifying attributes from colleagues that inspire you – is a powerful tool.
Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to work with so many talented people. I have tried to take life and career lessons away from each of my experiences, and most of these people probably have no idea how much they’ve affected me.
I have learned to focus on what’s important and not get too caught up in the hustle of what others deem to be urgent.
I’ve learned to focus on the things you can control and that you do well, and not dwell on things you don’t have the ability to impact.
And I’ve learned that each moment shall pass – and upon reflection it’s never as good as it seems and never as bad as it might seem.
Being steady, focused, thoughtful and grounded, will allow you to see through the clutter and noise and make more rational and consistent decisions. It has allowed me to be true to my passions and to make meaningful contributions.
I hope you will take your passions – all of them and in whatever state of development they are in – and allow them to be a guide. I hope you will follow them and that they will follow you.
In the months and years to come, when the demands of work, family and life compete for them, resist the urge to cast those passions aside … for you will find that they have brought you to where you are and, more importantly, to the places for which you are destined.
It is these passions what will bring you riches and rewards and allow you to be true to who you are.
Congratulations to the Paul College class of 2014 and I wish you all the very best in pursuing your passions. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day.
The Seacoast Aerospace Initiative launched Monday, with the ceremonial signing of a letter that clears for landing Canadian aerospace companies looking for opportunity to expand in one of New Hampshire’s fastest growing sectors.
The initiative came about in 2012, as Albany International and Safran were preparing for their co-location in Rochester, and the need to prepare for the growth of the industry.
The Seacoast Aerospace Initiative
For the past 18 months, a partnership that included officials from Dover, Portsmouth, Rochester and Somersworth, as well as the Pease International Tradeport, Great Bay Community College and the University of New Hampshire and we here at the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, has been working to position this region as a hub for composites manufacturing.
Fast forward to this week and we celebrated a milestone: The signing of a letter – in French – inviting Quebec aerospace companies and suppliers not only to expand here, but to work with us in other areas, such as research and education.
“This collaboration has strengthened the Seacoast’s position as a leader in the aerospace and defense industry,” said Gov. Maggie Hassan. “This is win-win for everybody – the companies involved, the cities, the Seacoast, the state and for our people. It’s a good day for business in New Hampshire.”
Quebec is our closest neighbor to the north and we share more than an international border; we owe much to them for our history, culture and work ethic.
“Montreal is the national hub for aerospace,” said Thierry Weissenburger, senior trade commissioner of the Canadian Consulate in Boston. “This collaboration is happening as burgeoning trade is going on and I expect it grow massively.”
If you recall, our aerospace industry got a boost when the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium signed a MOU with Aero Montreal in December, paving the way for our aerospace companies to have preferred relationships with their counterparts in Quebec.
Marianne Bonnard
“This happened six months ago and already you are moving on with the next steps,” said Marianne Bonnard, with the Quebec delegation. “You are already moving on to the step and I think that says a lot about the determination of the region here and of our cooperation.”
With that came the ceremonial signing of the letter by our Commissioner Jeffrey Rose, of the Department of Resources and Economic Development; Mayors Karen Weston of Dover, Robert Lister of Portsmouth, T.J. Dean of Rochester, Dana Hilliard of Somersworth, and Arthur Nickless Jr., chairman of the Pease Development Authority.
“This regional hub is the centerpiece for our state’s economy, built around aerospace and defense,” Rose said. “We’re ready for take-off on the Seacoast.”
The New Hampshire Travel Council wrapped its 38th annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism this week. Each year, those throughout the state who make the Granite State the popular destination it is come together and talk about ways to enhance and extend all we have to offer.
Tourism is New Hampshire’s second largest industry, contributing 68,000 jobs to our economy. An estimated 34 million people visited last year, from all over the world, spending $4.6 billion.
Our friends down the hall at the Division of Travel and Tourism Development are New Hampshire’s cheerleaders and they do terrific work telling the world about all the things that make us glad we’re lucky to live here.
What does it take to do that? The video below is a great look behind this important industry.
The week began with the big celebration in Rochester, when Safran Aerospace Composites and Albany Engineered Composites celebrated their new manufacturing plant, where they’ll produce 3D woven composite parts for aircraft. ‘New to the world’ technology, officials explained, right here in the Granite State. Hundreds of jobs will be created over the next couple of years to meet the demand for these parts. It was a good news day.
As we wandered around the expo today, we may not have found that level of technology, but we marveled no less at what we saw – a better way to grate cheese and garlic, funky ways to display a good bottle of wine, the harmony of chocolate, caramel and sea salt in one sweet treat and soaps and lotions with a base not of fancy fragrances, but essential oils and natural herbs. We saw an enthusiasm from the creators of these products, reveling in the opportunity to retreat from their garages, workshops, kitchens and studios to introduce the world to what they do and to tell us why they do it.
Good stories, all.
Buying local has become an integral part of our lives, as we seek to know not only the ingredients in the foods we eat, but who is growing, cooking, baking and even boiling (as in maple syrup) what we put on our table. The answer is our friends and neighbors, the innovators and entrepreneurs next door. The small businesses who come to know us as we come to know them and who add a measure of something we can’t find anywhere else — the soul of New Hampshire.
So if you’re in the neighborhood this weekend, go spend a few hours at the expo and treat yourself to something made right here in the Granite State.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development
Spring is in the air and if you’re an entrepreneur, this means one thing — business plan competition season. Over the next two months, entrepreneurs and start-up companies have the opportunity to win over $230,000 in cash and in-kind services through four start up competitions: The Dartmouth Ventures Entrepreneurial Contest, the MYPN Start Up Challenge, the Startup Rochester Business Competition and the Holloway Prize Innovation-to-Market Competition.
Ladies and Gentlemen, start your start-ups …
Dartmouth Ventures Entrepreneurial Contest
On Saturday (April 5), three start-up businesses will vie for $100,000 in cash and prizes at the Dartmouth Ventures Entrepreneurial Contest, open to anyone with a Dartmouth College affiliation. The contest is part of Dartmouth Ventures, an annual conference on entrepreneurship established in 2002.
All attendees of Dartmouth Ventures will have the opportunity to vote for a People’s Choice winner during the Entrepreneurial Contest. The People’s Choice winner will take home $2,500 in cash and additional in-kind services. For information on attending Dartmouth Ventures click here.
Holloway Prize Innovation-to-Market Competition
Similar to the Dartmouth Ventures competition, the Holloway Prize Innovation to Market Competition is hosted by the Paul School of Business at the University of New Hampshire, open to students within the University System of New Hampshire. The Holloway Prize is in its 26th year and has a history of applicants going on to create sustainable and profitable companies.
The most notable entry came from Joe Faro in 1991. He founded Tuscan Brands, Tuscan Market and Joseph’s Pasta, which he sold for $60 million to Nestle. Faro credits part of his success to his participation in the Holloway Prize, which encouraged him to create a business plan that was realistic and sustainable.
The Holloway Prize is worth over $100,000 in cash and in-kind services and championship round begins at 1 pm, May 7 at the Paul College. For more information on the Holloway Competition and the Charles and Miriam Nelson Poster Competition, click here.
MYPN Start Up Challenge
The Manchester Young Professionals Network started the MYPN Start Up Challenge in 2006 to encourage and promote entrepreneurship in the young professional community. The competition is open to New Hampshire start-ups and applications will be accepted until April 18. Over the past five years, $210,000 in cash and in-kind services have been awarded to New Hampshire startups. This year’s winner will receive more than $55,000 in cash and in-kind services.
One of the many start up success stories from the Start Up Challenge is Nearby Registry, which won in 2012. Allison Grappone’s 2009 wedding was the inspiration, when she and her husband channeled the frustration they had when they were unable to support their favorite local businesses through the traditional gift registry model. So like any entrepreneur, Grappone developed a website that enables people to create a registry for wedding, birthdays and other events using small businesses from all over the state. Since winning the Start Up Challenge, Nearby Registry has grown to three full-time staff and is expanding its business into Seattle, Portland, Ore., and Vermont. The company has signed on more than 150 storefronts in New Hampshire and Seattle and has kept over $18,000 and counting in the local economy.
The MYPN Start Up Challenge semi-final event is May 15 and the winner will be announced June 17 at the NHIOP at Saint Anselm College. To learn more about the MYPN Start Up Challenge or submit an application, click here.
Startup Rochester Business Competition
Similar to the MYPN Start Up Challenge, the Start Up Rochester Business Competition is open to New Hampshire startups that have not raised more than $100,000 in funding. Applications will be accepted until April 8.
This is the second year of the competition, which started as a partnership between the Rochester Community and Economic Development Division and the abi Innovation Hub. Last year’s winner, Kinetic Surface Control, is a growing company in Newmarket that develops technology to strip paint and corrosion from metal, concrete, asphalt and other surfaces. This year’s applicants will compete for a $20,000 cash-and-in-kind prize package at the final event on May 8. To learn more about the business competition or submit an application, click here.
New Hampshire is a great place to start and grow a business and these competitions are a perfect complement to the expanding New Hampshire start-up ecosystem, thanks to the incredible – and enthusiastic – efforts of our incubators around the state and the hundreds of start-ups created each year.
The government is an untapped market in need of what New Hampshire businesses produce and there is assistance available for those companies who would like to do business with Uncle Sam.
