Lorraine Forster
Business: Humboldt Veterinary Services
Winner 2005-2006: 1st Place PLATINUM Investment $25,000
The Venture Forward Business Planning competition provided the incentive, guidance and mentorship that my partner and I found indispensable to the development of our corporation, Humboldt Veterinary Services. We are most appreciative of the opportunity to be involved with VFBP and the outstanding networking opportunities it afforded.
In addition to the Venture Forward business planning completion we were successful in placing first in the My Future is Here competition and awarded $ 7,000 in business start up financing. We have been meeting with mentors through the Raj Manek Mentorship program, securing necessary financing for HVS, and making contacts in the swine, poultry and small animal industries for clients. Most recently we purchased a 2,000 sq. ft. commercial building in Humboldt and will be taking possession Jan 20/07 at which time lease hold improvements will be done to convert it into a veterinary clinic.
The VFBP process connected us with professionals in key areas of business development, including accounting, legal and financing experts that have been crucial to our successes thus far and will play major roles in the continued advancement of our business.
Tom Ross
Business: I.S. Solutions
Winner 2005-2006: 2nd Place GOLD Investment $15,000
Our Business is doing well; it feels like we haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the overall potential of Sport Report, even though our client base is steadily growing. We are looking to expand our tech side in the next couple of weeks and hire one more full time employee.
In addition to Sport Report our online league registration system we have developed two new software programs. One of them being CaterNet which is an online publishing, ordering and payment system catering companies can utilize to process orders online. The other one being our Gateway Solutions line of software products, Gateway Solutions covers everything from online booking, product purchasing to event registration.
The Venture Forward competition was a great introduction to Saskatoon's business community. We have met many business contacts through the competition that have helped us out, eight months later we are still meeting new people, prospective customers, from the relationships created during the VF contest.
Robert Hanson
Business: Hanson Tea Company
Winner 2005-2006: Finishing Award of $2,000
I'm currently living in Palo Alto California working on my Master's degree here at Stanford University.
The Venture Forward competition has given me a wealth of experience that I use every day. The chasm between the classroom and the real world is a huge one, and Venture Forward acted as a very nice bridge for me when crossing it. I'm excited for the future of this program, and in time will be more than happy to contribute back.
I sold the Hanson Tea Company to a larger tea corporation in Georgia for a healthy profit in October. The proceeds from this sale are going towards my educations here at Stanford.
On the business side, I'm currently working on a startup with 3 other graduate students from Stanford. The company is called Picoprobes and is based on proprietary technology that allows us to create more sensitive immunodiagnostic assays. The ultimate goal is to create the very first blood test for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. This venture started as a class project, but has now grown beyond the class. We are pitching the idea to some of the big VC's (KP, Sequoia, Benchmark) up on Sand Hill Rd in about 3 weeks. Hopefully all goes well!
Curtis Olson
Business: Olstar Developments
Winner 2005-2006: Finishing Award of $2,000
Since VF I've been consumed by Olstar Developments and completion of the Fairbanks Warehouse project. It's been great because I've been learning about the opportunities for implementing renewable energy technology (through O.R. Energy Systems) through the eyes of a developer. We are now looking towards another development project, with Olstar Developments, and I will be spearheading the "greening" of the building by implementing as many energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies as possible.
Venture Forward was a great experience for us. The best part of it was the mentorship with the business community and the in-kind donations, like the sales training from James Kernaghan at PSST Inc. I continue to use the contacts that I gained through Venture Forward every day.
Kevin Bergeron
Business: UDrop ESell
Winner 2004-2005: 1st Place PLATINUM Investment $25,000
Venture Forward has given me the opportunity of a lifetime. Owning and operating my own business had been a lifelong goal of mine. Now I have now achieved that goal thanks to the hard work and support of so many great individuals and companies. Just wanted to thank you again for all you have done for me. I really appreciate it.
