Tag: DocuMNtary

Lt. Governor Tina Smith and DEED launch #InnovateMN campaign

Innovation is at the heart of Rochester’s entrepreneurial spirit and the vision of DMC. And while Rochester is undoubtedly a city focused on health and wellness, having a diverse workforce is critical to a strong and prosperous community.

Our state’s leaders have also recognized the importance of fostering innovation. Earlier this week, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) launched #InnovateMN, a digital campaign to highlight original businesses throughout the state and help connect them with state funding.

Lt. Gov. Smith and DEED’s Commissioner, Shawntera Hardy, said the campaign will celebrate emerging technologies and discoveries in Minnesota by sharing stories of businesses and startups on the leading edge. With Minnesota ranking annually among the top five states in new patents, those stories are plentiful. “Innovation is embedded in our identity,” says Smith.

DocuMNtary: The story of technology in Minnesota

Though Minnesota’s most apparent economic generators were historically rooted in farming, logging, and manufacturing industries, the state also has a very strong – but less recognized – history in technology.

Following World War II, Minnesota attracted more computer engineers than any other state in the Midwest. Organizations like Cray, Medtronic, Honeywell, and IBM became national players and put Minnesota on the map as a center of innovation. But the story of our rich history of technology has more or less been left untold. That is, until now.

documntary-fi2Enter DocuMNtary, a project intended to build awareness of technology in Minnesota by telling our story through a documentary series. The series consists of a 30-minute high-level story about technology and shorter subsequent segments that highlight specific individuals, organizations, and initiatives.