The INOV8 blog tracks the latest news and trends in technology and innovation throughout the world
That’s not the bees of spring you hear buzzing the fresh Arkansas air. Though it looks and feels like spring outside, the dogwoods are still a couple of months out and besides, we’ll get an ice storm or two before then. You know we will.
Rather, the buzz you hear is the sound of Arkansas entrepreneurial worker bees building up an environment for further startup growth. And the bees are busy:
The Iceberg Cometh
The Northwest Arkansas Entrepreneurship Alliance is preparing to launch the Iceberg, the area’s first official coworking space. This is a big deal for the NWA startup community.
On a sort-of-related topic, expect some news in this very space soon concerning Launching the ARK (the “Ark”), the business incubator started by Winrock, the University of Arkansas, NorthWest Arkansas Community College and Innovate Arkansas. These partners teamed to win a highly competitive, exclusive federal grant to launch the program.
Read more about it from AB.com here, and again, expect an update soon right here in INOV8.
Nano Nano
A nanotechnology niche in Arkansas? Could be.
We all know of the work in that field being done in NWA and at UAMS and UALR. Well, now UAMS has launched its own Nanomedicine Center that will serve as a collaboration center between it, UALR and other research partners across the state, including the X-Files like (just kidding) National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson.
Remember back in August when Gov. Beebe signed a collaborative research agreement on behalf of the state with the feds concerning NCTR? Well, here you go. Oh, and expect some news soon related to the Bioplex, which adjoins NCTR, as well.
Another ‘Gone in 60′ Pitch
Gone in 60 is back and generating buzz of its own.
As reported in this space and in Fort Smith’s great online paper The City Wire, the latest installment in Jeff Amerine’s awesome Gone in 60 Seconds elevator-pitch contest series for entrepreneurs, aspiring and otherwise, is set.
It’ll go down Feb. 27 at 6:30 from Second Street Live in the Fort. Visit event sponsor Centuria Ventures’ site for more info.
Wasn’t There Something About a LR Research Park?
What about this Little Rock research park? We’d like to say there’s been buzz about it, but the Little Rock Chamber, which is basically running the show, has been tight lipped.
Little Rock voters, you’ll remember, voted in September to fund a sales tax hike that in part would provide funds — 22 mil of it or so — to get the ball rolling on a research park that would serve in part as a foundation for the collaborative research between UALR, UAMS and its BioVentures program, and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
The plan calls for a 30-acre site somewhere in Midtown between the UALR and UAMS. The Arkansas Times has done some good digging, and provides about all there is to know so far. We do know there is an entity called the Little Rock Technology Park Authority to oversee plans with members representing UALR, UAMS, the city and Chamber.
Representing UALR are the legendary Dr. Mary Goode and Bob Johnson; representing UAMS are AT&T’s Ed Drilling and BioVentures director Michael Douglas; the city — developer Dickson Flake and C.J. Duvall of Alltel Wireless, and the Jay Chesshir represents the Chamber.
Check back for tabs on future meetings and progress.
Magna Makeover
Our buddies at the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority want to brag on a client firm, Magna IV. Without further adieu..
Arkansas Science & Technology Authority Client Magna IV Transitions from Print Shop to Communications Expert
The credibility and accessibility of the Internet, particularly in the last decade, has revolutionized the way we communicate, both personally and professionally.
Yet no industry has faced quite the challenge brought about by the growth of online activity as that of print production. Company web sites have become the first and primary reference point for consumers, greatly decreasing the need for traditional pieces such as brochures or pamphlets. Surviving on large-quantity printing jobs is no longer a safe business model, and printers such as Arkansas Science & Technology Authority client Magna IV Communications (formerly Magna IV Printing) have focused on innovation in an effort to remain a relative part of business communications.
“This is not the first time we’ve faced challenges from new technology,” says Kent Middleton, president and founder of Magna IV, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2010. “When the digital press became the industry standard, we had to become more than just ink on paper. The same applied here.”
As online communications became more widely trusted in the 2000s, Magna IV’s general print jobs (those on a transactional basis) were steadily decreasing.
Customers needed more,” says Middleton. “If we just did printing, they didn’t want to talk to us.”
However, demand from the company’s restaurant clients, especially those with a franchise base, continued to increase. To capitalize on market demand, Magna IV built an interactive portal that gave franchisees the ability to customize and print corporate-approved collateral and materials.
“A franchisor might have thousands of restaurants in the U.S., and each offers custom promotions and menu items,” adds Middleton. “Our portal system helped streamline the corporate approval process, keeping the brand intact while speeding up production and delivery. We became an all-in-one shop for franchises.”
To ensure additional internal processes complimented both the portal system and new industry technology, Magna IV participated in lean manufacturing and quality management programs offered by Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions, a program of the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority. The programs helped reduce waste and downtime, increased productivity and improved overall product and service quality.
“Long, single project print runs that use to take us days can now be completed on-demand,” says Middleton. “The AMS processes helped us gain the business of clients that may not have considered us before and has enhanced the workforce. The transition to an industry requiring minimal human touch has created a strong demand for well-trained, highly skilled professionals.”
Magna IV does print production, online marketing, grassroots marketing, direct mail, variable data print/cross media campaign consultancy and graphic design. It seems only fitting that the company complete the transition by re-branded itself Magna IV Communications during the last quarter of 2010.
As for predicting a key to future success, Middleton points to Magna IV’s ability to meet the flexible demands of a fast-paced, rapidly changing client-base. “We’ve always been on the forefront of what people need and that’s helped us grow.”
(In the meantime, is it too much to ask the Ice King to kill off the freakin’ ticks and fleas? Apparently, he’s too busy chasing princesses…)
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