MESA mentor Mary Schneider has built her career at the intersection of technology, sales, marketing, and customer experience. From boutique agencies and software companies to complex global organizations such as BASF and Cargill, her work has consistently centered on one question: What problem are we trying to solve, and how [...]
When Katie Jacobs talks about Keikens, she rarely starts with artificial intelligence. Instead, she starts with understanding. "Our goal isn't to help machines understand children better," she says. "It's to help parents better understand their child." That simple idea has become the foundation of Keikens, the Minnesota startup where founder [...]
In the complex world of healthcare, communication is paramount. Yet, the simple question, "When will the doctor be here?" often remains unanswered, leaving hospitalized patients and their families in a state of anxious uncertainty. This pain point is what drove CEO/Founder Michael Pitt, MD, to envision Q-rounds, a software solution [...]
Scott Brown has built and scaled companies through some of the biggest tech trends of the last two decades. As a MESA mentor, he brings invaluable operator perspective to Minnesota startups, sharing the wisdom gained from a career on the front lines of innovation. Tell us a little about your [...]
The Minnesota Emerging Software Advisory (MESA) is proud to announce a remarkable milestone for its mentees: collectively, they have raised an impressive $1.1 billion in funding. This achievement is a testament to the value of consistent, experience-driven mentorship. By connecting startup CEOs with seasoned software executives, MESA empowers software startup [...]
Modern Logic, a proud Premier Partner of MESA, has taken a bold step in redefining the technology landscape for small and mid-sized businesses. As a Technology Support Agency, Modern Logic is dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional IT services and the custom software solutions companies need to thrive. Smarter [...]
Derek Borkowski, a pharmacist turned tech entrepreneur, created Pyrls, a digital platform revolutionizing how healthcare professionals access and utilize drug information. Born and raised in Winona, Minnesota, Derek Borkowski witnessed firsthand the impact of community businesses on local life through his mother's work in a pharmacy and his family's towing [...]
Minneapolis, MN – December 17, 2024 Minnesota Emerging Software Advisory (MESA), a non-profit, pro bono mentoring organization inspired to make Minnesota’s emerging growth software economy rank among the most vibrant and respected in the nation, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Moroney as its new President. Moroney is [...]
Each of MESA's Premier Partners is essential to our growth and impact. These companies offer a range of professional support helpful to entrepreneurs and we trust their unique skills and services. In this spotlight, we're highlighting our three Premier Partners: RSM, Modern Logic, and Wise IT Consulting. MESA is excited [...]
Imagine practicing a sales pitch like a professional athlete – perfecting your approach and response to an endless variety of real-life situations. That’s the beauty of Brevity, an AI-powered role-playing software designed to help large and medium-sized enterprise sales teams onboard sellers more rapidly, enhance their skills, increase win rates, [...]
With an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, Daren Cotter’s journey began in a college dorm room and culminated in the sale of his company, InboxDollars. But the journey didn’t end there. Today, Cotter is a seasoned angel investor and mentor, using his experience to support and grow the next generation of tech [...]
Entrepreneurs face a unique set of challenges. During Minnebar 18, a panel of startup CEOs discussed the importance of mentors in helping them navigate the complexities of running a business. On April 20, MESA mentor Mark Capaldini led a panel discussion with MESA mentees to share their experiences as [...]
In the health and wellness landscape, managing the balance between passion for the practice and business acumen can be as challenging as mastering a complex yoga pose. That’s the genesis of OfferingTree’s solution – making the business of health and wellness simpler and easier to manage. With a focus on [...]
MESA mentors come with deep, real-world experience in the always-changing world of software and technology startups. Steve VanTassel, one of MESA’s newer mentors, is just one example of the willingness to give back and the depth of the expertise on the MESA bench. Tell us a bit about your background, [...]
Since February 2011, RSM has been Minnesota Emerging Software Advisory’s (MESA) first and longest-running sponsor. Central to RSM’s values is its powerful commitment to understanding its clients and serving the communities in which it operates. RSM US LLP is dedicated to serving the middle market, the engine of global commerce [...]
The Nested Knowledge AI-assisted SaaS evidence synthesis platform makes clinical research processes faster, updatable, and more powerful – transforming a critical and time-consuming process that ultimately informs and supports health systems around the world. Founded by four University of Minnesota alumni, Nested Knowledge is a powerful platform out to revolutionize [...]
Minneapolis, MN – December 20, 2023 Minnesota Emerging Software Advisory (MESA), a non-profit, pro bono mentoring organization inspired to make Minnesota’s software economy rank among the most vibrant and respected in the nation, is announcing its eighth foundation partner – Brown & Brown. Brown & Brown is one of the [...]
Shrpa is a SaaS platform that connects destinations with content creators, making it easier to share authentic, user-generated content that will help travelers discover what to do, see and experience in a community or travel destination. Shrpa CEO Chris Lukenbill and co-founder Andy Vig came together from different software backgrounds [...]
Minneapolis, MN – October 10, 2023 Minnesota Emerging Software Advisory (MESA), a non-profit, pro bono mentoring organization inspired to make Minnesota’s software economy rank among the most vibrant and respected in the nation, is announcing its seventh foundation partner – O8. This is the third new foundation partner to date [...]
Visana Health is pursuing a whole-person approach to radically improve the health system and women’s health outcomes. Joe Connolly, CEO and co-founder of Visana Health has a personal NorthStar: to improve health outcomes at scale. His mission and passion were born from his mother’s experience with chronic and complex gynecologic [...]
Being the CEO of an emerging software company can be incredibly challenging. MESA mentors have been there and can offer you unbiased guidance to help your business flourish.
There’s no substitute for experience. If you are a seasoned software industry executive, local early-stage software companies could benefit from your knowledge and expertise.
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