Sprouting More and Healthier Concepts By Rajiv Tandon, Ph. D. Launch Minnesota, an initiative by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), like many such initiatives across the land, is designed to boost the State’s economy by strengthening the startup ecosystem. …

Staying a slapshot ahead By Rajiv Tandon, Ph. D. I taught Minnesota North Stars hockey players when I was a professor at the University of St. Thomas. I had been coached briefly in middle school by Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary field hockey player. …

Pandemics can have its Benefits. Alright, so the rumor is that after many years of predicting the pandemic, the time actually arrived. If you’re a company that is not burning money and is a real business, the downturn will benefit you. Refugees — Talented people whose dreams didn’t materialize will be looking for a real…

A path to exploiting unserved niche markets around big industries. Wake is a low-pressure region immediately behind a solid moving body. It makes it easier for followers to move forward with a lot less energy. You can see wakes in a flock of geese flying in a V-shape pattern; one goose is front and center, leading all the others. …

The structural break is the time for entrepreneurs to apply Jugaad. — At the time of another great crisis, in 1932–33, American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr wrote the Serenity prayer commonly quoted as “ God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” This black swan…

Competing through our distinctive strengths — Cities all over the world have attempted to replicate Silicon Valley with varying levels of success. Decades ago, so did we, in Minnesota. VC based software startups didn’t sprout. We are more the bootstrapping kind. …

Business-model disruption can be planned for. Joseph Aloïs Schumpeter, the patron saint of entrepreneurs, describes in Creative Destruction the messy way free markets deliver progress. He argued that entrepreneurs introduce innovations by creating new combinations using technology or a new business method that often destroys existing businesses, products, and careers. This is the price of progress.

The Hierophant A priest in ancient Greece who interprets sacred mysteries or esoteric principles. The Fool, having created a solid foundation, is struck with sudden fear. What if everything he’s worked for is taken away, stolen, lost, destroyed, or vanishes? In a panic, he heads to find the Hierophant and receive his…

An opportunity for entrepreneurs — The Census Bureau reports that Baby boomers own over 2 million businesses. As boomers age, they run into health problems, burn out, they will need to do something with their companies soon. Some plan to turn the keys over to the kids/employees or even close the doors after a lifetime…