According to a report funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Missoula and Bozeman rank 9th and 12th highest in startup rates among 394 areas in the U.S. The Kauffman Foundation presented their report: “A New Frontier: Entrepreneurship Ecosystems in Bozeman and Missoula, Montana” today at the Missoula College. It is the first ever study of the Montana ecosystem and is important because there have been few studies of entrepreneurship in small towns and rural areas. The report is a result of joint research by the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, MonTEC, the Blackstone LaunchPads at the University of Montana and Montana State University, and Kansas researchers Yasuyuki Motoyama, Ph.D., Emily Fetsch and Sharah Davis and is based on interviews of Montana entrepreneurs, support organizations and a survey of companies in the region.
Jason Williams, Blackfoot CEO discussed the importance of the research: “As a technology leader, Blackfoot is keenly aware of the role entrepreneurship and innovation play in Montana’s booming high-tech economy. We see it every day – whether it’s our customers, our employees or the companies we partner with in delivering leading-edge voice, data, cloud and technology solutions. We are proud to be part of the tremendous growth Montana has experienced in recent years and look forward to working with the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, Missoula Economic Partnership, the Missoula College and many others to support economic success for all business.”
Blackfoot sponsored the Missoula presentation and reception. The event will be held in Bozeman tomorrow where Blackfoot will host the presentation portion while Elixiter will host the reception.