MOJO Minnesota is an innovation co-operative comprised of like-minded business leaders working to fuel entrepreneurship and reignite Minnesota’s culture of innovation. We are business advisors, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors and attorneys passionate about creating jobs and economic growth through the power of Minnesota based technology companies. Our goals are to provide a unique voice and support to Minnesota-grown innovation and shine the light on amazing new technologies developed here that will propel us into becoming a top 5 nationally ranked state for innovation and growth. We will do this through state policy advocacy, creating and hosting unique and interactive community and mentoring events and fostering an active and growing dialog that connects like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, industry groups and corporate partners in bringing Minnesota’s rich innovation heritage back into national prominence.
Brad Lehrman is an "entrepreneurial venture attorney," focusing on business law, venture management, corporate finance services for private emerging growth companies, and and is also a co-founder of MOJO MN. After many years as a business advisor (Portage Capital), a venture capital fund manager (Portage Equity Investments), a board member and a business lawyer, he now leverages his unique business and legal perspectives to counsel and advocate for his clients.
Damian Novak is a serial entrepreneur at heart. Growing companies in the retail, online, finance and medical industries. He has an electrical/computer engineering degree from UW-Madison and MBA from the University of St. Thomas.
Dan Grigsby is a founding partner at the mobile app agency Drivetrain. Dan founded half a dozen other companies, including an early e-commerce provider that was acquired by Microsoft and the only ever successful competitor to PayPal. Dan co-founded MinneBar and MinneDemo, Minnesota's two largest tech/entrepreneur events. He received the Business Journal's "40 Under 40" award, Finance and Commerce's "40 Minnesotans On The Move" award, was named one of MPLS/St. Paul magazines "75 Best Brains." Dan is an Adjunct Instructor and Entrepreneur-In-Residence the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.
Ernest Grumbles is one of the Co-Founders of MOJO Minnesota and an IP/Startup attorney with Adams Monahan (www.adamsmonahan.com). He works with emerging companies to identify and protect intellectual property assets and best position the company for launch and growth. When not trying to keep up with his three daughters, he enjoys a little guitar.
Jeff O’Dell is an energetic, ethical, and passionate builder of businesses. As founder and CEO of NASDAQ traded August Technology from 1992 to 2006, O’Dell built the team and technology to successfully address critical automation needs for the global semiconductor industry. Driven by a passion for creating value for shareholders, O’Dell combines strong listening and problem solving skills.
Joy Lindsay is President and co-founder of StarTec Investments, LLC, a private venture capital firm making investments in early stage technology companies based in the Midwest. In addition to her role at StarTec, Lindsay is a member of the Sofia Angel Fund, a women’s angel fund focused on making private equity investments in companies founded by or led by women. Lindsay is 2010 Chair of the Minnesota High Tech Association, past Vice-President of the Minnesota Venture Capital Association, and a member of the Advisory Board at the University of MN Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship.
Kim Garretson is a online pioneer who saw the value of consumer digital technology, the internet and social media starting in the 80’s. He was the creator of the first digital magazines in conjunction with the launch of Prodigy’s online service, the first all-video broadband network for Time Warner Roadrunner, and the first connected digital media services for consumer electronics devices.
Marti Nyman is an executive with over 20 years' experience in creating and launching new, innovative growth platforms for Fortune 500 companies. His career has involved leadership positions at GE, Ericsson, ADC and Best Buy, working across multiple industry sectors including - energy, telecom, defense and consumer retail. He is leader of the Board Solutions Group at Integrated Governance Solutions, LLC, on the boards of three early-stage companies, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence as well as course instructor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.
In 1992 Mary Meehan co-founded Iconoculture transforming the market research industry with a proprietary methodology and a business model that gave clients the first-ever online access to consumer trend insights coupled with expert advisory services. Over 18 years Mary and partner, Vickie Abrahamson, published a book, created a client-only conference, consulted on Fortune 500 brands, and became sought after cultural commentator. Now in 2010, the partners have founded Panoramix Global to provide a broad-spectrum view of the global consumer, tracking lifestyle and life-stage trends revealing strategic solutions for business growth.
Parag Shah is a visionary who is passionate about building technology companies. He is the Founder & President of Prodality, a technology company that develops and brings new products to market. Parag is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, where he developed his first company, LunchBox. Since, Parag has brought to market a number of web-based businesses along with helping other entrepreneurs with their products.
Mr. Brimacomb, founder of Brimacomb & Associates and a General Partner at Sherpa Partners, is a strategic and financial advisor specializing in helping companies grow. He has been advising and investing in emerging companies as a venture capitalist since 1991. In addition to serving early-stage companies, Brimacomb & Associates has a growing relationship development practice serving professional services firms.
An eternally optimistic force of nature, Tim Bachman is a Principal at Primordial Soup LLC. Tim brings 22 years of product development wisdom and experience to the table with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University and 13 years of business ownership.