Minnesota Cup finalists announced
Posted on August 26th, 2008 – 4:47 PMBy Thomas Lee
The winner, who will receive $50,000 and business support services, will be announced Sept. 11.
Barrier1 Network Security Appliance
Team Leader: Steve Sahl
The Barrier Group has created, developed and is now selling the patent pending network security appliance named Barrier I that is a revolutionary vehicle to stop “blended threats” - the biggest threat facing network security in the past 20 years. The company, led by Steve Sahl, is bootstrapping it with only three employees and winning business away from large, well-financed international competitors, while remaining cash flow neutral.
CoreSpine Technologies
Team Leader: Christine Horton
Formed in June 2005, CoreSpine Technologies is focused on developing and producing advanced surgical devices for the complete or selective removal of nucleus and cartilage material from the lumbar disc space. Led by Christine Horton, this proprietary technology will enable the next generation of emerging spinal therapies and will set the standard for preparing the spinal disc for implantation of an artificial disc nucleus and minimally invasive interbody fusion devices.
Klodas Foods: Fibre and Beyond
Team Leader: Elli Ansari
Elli Ansari, Barb Birr and Elizabeth Klodas are working together to produce physician-formulated premium whole natural and organic foods that address both general health maintenance and the dietary requirements of patients with specific chronic diseases. Fibre, the first Klodas Foods innovation, is a cardiologist-formulated organic food product that allows individuals to conveniently incorporate healthful ingredients into their diets.
Team Leader: Sue Kruskopf
Sue Kruskopf and Nancy Bush created this free Web site that allows members to plan and personalize their own funeral. MyWonderfulLife.com (MWL.com) eases the burden on the surviving loved ones as it eliminates the guesswork incorporated with funerals and allows greater time to grieve.
Wilcraft
Team Leader: Tom Roering
Tom Roering, Connie Roering and Dave Plan created an amphibious drivable ice fishing shelter called Wilcraft that offers a safe, comfortable and convenient ice fishing experience. Its light footprint also allows access to early and late ice - the most coveted times of the season.
2008 Minnesota Cup Student Finalists
Sirkl
Team Leader: Brian Limborg
Brian Limborg, John Borowicz, Dan Kantor and Anwar Bhimani developed a software application that runs within social networks, such as Facebook and MySpace, to provide a set of services and tools for setting up and managing high school and university sponsored clubs and other formal membership organizations. Sirkl creates a virtual clubhouse environment where members and alumni can meet, organize, plan, discuss, view photos/videos and stay informed about their organizations’ events, activities and latest news.
Wireless respiratory carbon dioxide sensors
Team Leader: Shyam Sivaramakrishnan
Shyam Sivaramakrishnan and Rajesh Rajamani plan to produce ultra-small wireless carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors that would enable analysis of CO2 concentration in the breath and indoor-air monitoring applications. New technology developed at the University of Minnesota promises to deliver such sensors within two years.
Zipnosis
Team Leader: Jonathan Pearce
Led by Jonathan Pearce, Zipnosis creates electronic visit - E-visit - software to allow patients and doctors to conduct secure electronic visits and help make family practice doctors financially viable. The unique, adaptive software guides a patient through a consultation creating a note the physician can quickly review.
