Event highlights continued growth of tech sector

Hundreds gather in Fargo to explore future of tech industry

BY KRIS BEVILL

The technology sector is an industry on the rise throughout North Dakota and Fargo-Moorhead serves as a hub of tech-sector growth, thanks in large part to an example set years ago by the phenomenal growth of Great Plains Software and the continued presence of Microsoft. Combine with that a steady stream of fresh minds from the metro’s three universities — North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College — and incubation opportunities offered at NDSU’s newly renamed Office of Research and Creative Activity, and the potential for continued growth in the sector is phenomenal.

This potential was on clear display during the third annual State of Technology event, held Aug. 20 in Fargo. Hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., the event provided the business community with a chance to hear from some of the area’s innovative tech-sector business leaders. An additional focus of this year’s event, according to Hoeven, was to address the next steps that should be taken in order to continue growing the state’s tech sector.

“Technology is a key to our success,” he said. “From the advanced equipment and methods that are driving economic growth in

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(continued from page 42) western North Dakota, to the cutting-edge innovations that are driving growth in agriculture, information, biotech, health care and aviation businesses in the Red River Valley, technology is fueling our state’s economic vitality.”

More than 400 attendees were on hand as keynote speakers Doug Burgum, a well-known entrepreneur, venture philanthropist and Microsoft alum, and Tami Reller, executive vice president of Microsoft’s marketing group, offered their takes on technology in North Dakota and growth within the sector. Fargo tech company leaders also shared their outlook for the industry’s future and its impact on the local economy.

The overall impression from the day’s speakers was that the industry offers enormous potential for job creation and economic benefit to the state. But a surprise challenge issued by Burgum during his speech also highlighted the need for continued state and private support to allow the tech industry to fully blossom. “Vision 2015” calls for North Dakota to capitalize on its economic success by utilizing private/public partnerships to implement the fastest Internet speed and greatest bandwidth infrastructure in the world by 2015. “When you’re at the top of your game, that’s the time to take risks,” Burgum told attendees, adding that the state’s size and enviable financial situation perfectly positions it to win the race to offer the nation’s best Internet capabilities. “If we blow this opportunity it is going to be completely our responsibility,” he said.

Reller commended Burgum’s vision and said if the state implements better bandwidth it would be easier for Microsoft to expand and for new businesses to enter into the arena. “I’m a huge fan of that initiative,” she said.

Other speakers at the event included Jeff Young, CEO of Evolution1, which utilizes cloud computing to provide electronic health care and other reimbursement account services; Alex Warner, CEO of Pedigree Technologies, a maker of software systems that allows companies to track equipment, fleets and assets; Jake Joraanstad, CEO of Myriad Devices, a mobile app development company, and Barry Batcheller, CEO of Appareo Systems, which designs and manufactures electronic, mechanical and software products for aerospace, defense and transportation applications. The companies are all based in Fargo and, together, employ hundreds of workers.

Craig Whitney, CEO of the FMWF Chamber, says that by highlighting the area’s tech sector, Hoeven and the chamber hope to shed light on the opportunities for growth, both locally and on a national stage. “It’s exciting that in a market our size there is so much going on,” he says. “There is a lot more going on in North Dakota than most people think. I think it sends a message nationally … that North Dakota is a good place to do business.”

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Kris Bevill Editor, Prairie Business 701-306-8561, kbevill@prairiebizmag.com