EMERGE@Simpson company DNP123 Co. presented to the 1 Million Cups DSM audience on their core technology today.  Co-founder Aaron Santos challenged the audience to help build an online learning community about commercial applications. He demonstrated commercialization options and the need to combine researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs into virtual teams.  DNP123 Co. would build the nanocubes sought by those teams and license the technology, with EMERGE@Simpson providing business incubation services as needed.  We look forward to adding Carver Connection program research institutions to the growing list of private and community colleges to that program.

Terry Rich recently provided insights on entrepreneurship, creativity, and perseverance to EMERGE@Simpson students.  These are the types of external resources and connections the program brings to campus.  The Emerge Foundation provides the staff to make these off-campus connections with metro and state entrepreneurial leaders.  Then on-campus faculty and staff help students connect.

Professor John Walker was spotlighted on the Speaking of Simpson podcast.  Click here for the :30 interview!  Shawnna Stiver of KindCo.org also talks about her Simpson experience.

Here's a link to the RSVP.  Looking forward to your attendance!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/technology-and-innovation-showcase-tickets-56286532534

Confirmed presentations to-date on how Simpson and Indianola bring innovations to the world include-

Dr. Derek Lyons presenting an update on NanoBio Designs' ExpresSeed genetic detection platform.

Aaron Santos presenting a Computer Aided Design and nanoparticle construction platform by DNP123 Co.

IdRamp presenting the technology behind their novel network identity interface with 3rd-party applications.

Cemen Tech presenting a mobile concrete supply chain application they debuted at the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas this week.

The Simpson Palmer Amaranth predicative model for roundup resistant strains.

CTE Hope protein test for concussion protocols.  

The Emerge Foundation and Launchpad 65 are hosting an Innovation & Technology Showcase on Tuesday, February 26 from 2:00-4:00 in Hubbell Hall at the Simpson College Kent Center.  The event will spotlight several technologies and faculty-led STEM projects both at Simpson College and in the greater Indianola business community.

The format includes networking with researchers, a series of 10-15 minute presentations, and individual project Q&A time at the end.  An Indianola Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and social event highlighting how LaunchPad65 and The Emerge Foundation are supporting local entrepreneurship will follow at Salem Connection, 222 W. Salem, Indianola from 4:30-6:00.

Industry connections, technology investors, Emerge Foundation stakeholders, Simpson faculty, staff, students, and the Indianola business community are welcome to attend.  Please RSVP your plans to attend the showcase to todd.kielkopf@simpson.edu to ensure ample seating.

Indianola-based LaunchPad65, formerly the Indianola Development Association, recently joined The Emerge Foundation's Carver Connections Memorandum of Understanding.  Plans are now underway for the two groups to jointly host a south-central Iowa technology demonstration day and LaunchPad65 ribbon-cutting event in late February or early March.  The LaunchPad65 board meets this Friday to discuss next steps.

An EMERGE@Simpson CEO student team that is soft-launching an event planning business will be tasked with organizing the event.  Simultaneously, a Management Capstone team will be working with LaunchPad65 stakeholders to launch the Maple Tree Marketplace in the Indianola business community.  This includes developing a business plan for a local TV channel in conjunction with the Indianola Chamber of Commerce, who is also involved with LaunchPad65.

EMERGE@Simpson facilitated the annual Global Entrepreneurship Week event at Simpson College.  Over 70 high school students attended morning sessions and another 60 college students participated in afternoon sessions.  Features included presentations with successful Iowa entrepreneurs and words of wisdom from Diana Kander, author of best-seller All in Startup.

Members of the EMERGE@Simpson chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization attended the CEO national conference held in Kansas City, Missouri this week.  Students attended breakout and general sessions ranging from how to bootstrap your startup to social media marketing.  A larger contingency of the Simpson CEO group will also have the opportunity to attend the CEO regional conference in Omaha next spring.

Maple Tree Marketplace will take center stage for the Fall 2018 semester.  The online portal will be refined and promotional videos will be produced by the combination of students and local talent.  Indianola Municipal Utilities is in the midst of launching its television services this fall, bringing the opportunity to tie the production of commercials and local programming, which can include spotlighting on-campus ventures and the EMERGE@Simpson program itself.  MapleTree will work with Indianola-based LaunchPad65 as its community partner.

ExpresSeed LLC (www.expressedgenetics.com) formally released white papers to several potential agrisciences and biotechnology industry customers over the past two weeks.  Their latest genetic detection process is now able to test for 30 genes in one sample card at a density of 100 test wells per square inch, besting what is available in the market today.  The process also now utilizes digital imaging processed through a machine learning algorithm to provide either a yes/no answer for the presence of the genetic marker being sought or provide information to help determine how much of a marker is contained in the sample compared to other markers in that sample.  Several companies have showed interest in these results and are initiating steps to validate the technology.