Volume 62: Inspiration

Andrew Borene, executive director of Robotics Alley, thinks the Twin Cities have a chance at becoming an international hub of robotics.

The Harvard Business Review reports on Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki’s successful efforts to curb veteran homelessness rates across the country by radically mobilizing both private and public sectors to work together.   

American Corporate Partners, a national Veterans Mentorship Program, has listed Minneapolis as one of the national locations in which it has large concentrations of mentors—General Mills, Cargill, Travelers, and several other major companies have joined together to provide mentors for returning veterans looking to build successful careers as citizens.   

Brooklyn Castle is an independent film that tells the stories of five members of the chess team at a below-the-poverty-line inner city junior high school that has won more national championships than any other in the country. It’s showing at the Edina Landmark Theater on November 2.

Ethnotek sources textiles from small business owners around the world and uses these textiles to decorate the high-quality packs/messengers that become functional storytelling vessels, all in an effort to spread cultural appreciation and awareness.

MPLS.TV, the Minneapolis film production outfit that has recently had videos picked up by Pitchfork Media, has joined forces with MPLS Collective, a collective that champions creativity by organizing videographers, writers, musicians, designers, underground dining clubs, toymakers, and any and all creatives.

Calls to action

Innové is a social change competition that will provide $250,000 in grant awards to help social change ideas or initiatives get started, or to help accelerate existing initiatives. Entrants must be under 35 years old and live in the greater Twin Cities metro area.  

The League of Intrapreneurs is seeking game-changing solutions for business and society through their new competition. Four winners will have their entries profiled on Fast Company’s blog, Co.Exist, and receive consulting support from Accenture Development Partnerships to further their work.  

The Mobilize the Power of Youth Video Contest is looking for video entrants to detail your their organization enlivens, empowers, and engages young people. They’re accepting entries through November 1.

The Minnesota Business Magazine is seeking nominations for their inaugural Community Impact Award. The deadline for nominations is November 2.

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