2009 Summer Newsletter
Dakota Venture Group is a
student run venture capital
investment fund. DVG is the
first completely student run
venture capital fund in the
United States. Since
November 2008, Dakota
Venture Group has scrubbed
over thirty deals, and moved
seven of those companies into
the due diligence process.
The investment strategy of
DVG includes making
investments in high-growth
ventures started by
entrepreneurs in the United
States, with preference given
to regional and student
initiated ventures. All
investments are made with
the goal of fostering economic
growth.
Current Members
Preston Page
Nathan Carpenter
Dan Horak
Dean Ekkaia
Satchall Schettler
Ashley Putnam
Sterling Wiggings
Brianna Burggraf
Grant Marquardt
David Burggraf
Michael Carlson
Matt Witwer
Jon Alme
Lee Groeschl
Andrew Christensen
Aaron Sykes
Florent Martel
Josh Goldade
Jeffrey Payne
Jeremy Lunde
Greg Johnson
Crystal Kelly
The beginning of the year brought with it a new
investment for Dakota Venture Group. DataSync
offers a simple webhosted integrated package of
the best open source software on the market
(Zimbra, SugarCRM, Alfresco, Joomla). The recent
investment decision has expanded the group’s
“Evergreen” portfolio to include four equity
investments (TheWineStandard.com, Ntractive, and
The Simple Furniture Company) and one student
investment (Club Express). As of late, DataSync has
performed very well in the market, exceeding sales
projections set for Quarter 4 of 2008 as well as
Quarter 1 of 2009. The company’s management
team consists of founder and CEO Mike Vetter, VP
of Network operations Dustin Schnabel, and VP of
Engineering Michael Moser. The company is based
in Sioux Falls, SD, but deals with customers across
the globe. For more information on DataSync visit
www.datasyncsuite.com.
Zelo Water Marketing Contract
Vital Surge, L.L.C. will be utilizing the
consulting advisory services provided
by the Dakota Venture Group. The
organization feels that both parties
can greatly benefit from a shared
partnership. DVG will be specifically
helping the company in the
development of their
marketing/distribution plan.
DVG Member Wins BOSS
Business Plan Competition
Josh Goldade, along with partner
Kristine Lesch, was presented the
grand prize award of $3,000 by Sen.
Kent Conrad and Agricultural
Commissioner Roger Johnson. The
plan was chosen from a field of 19
candidates. SunAir Power, is a
company that would create wind
and solar power generators for use
in outdoor advertising, ranching, and
research applications. It was
developed from an electrical
engineering capstone senior design
project at the University of North
Dakota titled “Standalone Integrated
Wind and Photovoltaic Power
Generating System.”The Velva, ND
native has served as a key member
of the group since his entrance this
past fall. A diligent worker, Goldade
is currently serving as Dakota
Venture Group’s parliamentarian.
He graduated with his Bachelor’s of
Science in Electrical Engineering in
December and has chosen to pursue
a Master’s of Science in Electrical
Engineering. The 7th Annual BOSS
Business Plan Competition is open to
anyone age 25 and under with the
desire to locate/start a business in
North Dakota. The competition is
intended to simulate the real-world
process of entrepreneurs soliciting
start-up funds from early stage
investors.
Dakota Venture Group would like
to thank their graduating
members for their service:
Semester Events:
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Marketplace for
Entrepreneurs
University Venture
Summit
Relay for Life
Big Event
Innovate ND
Sponsored Events in
the community:
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Northlands Rescue
Mission
Student Government
Presidential Debates and
Vice Presidential Debate
Innovate ND
DVG Sponsors:
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Center for Innovation
Idea Center
State Farm Insurance
First State Bank
Praxis Strategy Group
US Bank
Jeff Stamp
Jordan T. Schuetzle, Esq.
If you are
interested in
becoming a
sponsor contact
Satchall at
sschetttler@dakota
veturegroup.com.
The Harvest Fund has been a goal of the
Dakota Venture Group for nearly two
years. We are happy to announce that
DVG has formulated a deal with Rain
Source Capital, an angel investing group
out of St. Paul, MN, to partner on
managing the new fund.
Aaron Sykes
Andrew Christensen
Lee Groeschl
Jeffrey Ferguson
We wish you well on all of your
future adventures.
Current DVG members worked closely
with Grand Forks Attorney and DVG
Alumni Jordan Schuetzle to establish the
new fund. As part of the process, the
Dakota Venture Group reorganized as
DVG, Inc. a North Dakota Non-Profit
Corporation. DVG, Inc. and Rain Source
Capital will jointly manage the new fund
through Harvest Fund Partners, LLC.
DVG members will operate the fund in
the same manner as they operate their
Evergreen fund: soliciting deals,
conducting all of the due diligence, and
making all of the investment decisions.
DVG members will begin to fundraise for
the new fund this summer, with hopes of
raising $5 million dollars.
The fund will allow DVG to expand:
providing enhanced educational benefits,
economic development experience, and
entrepreneurial networking, while
bringing further sustainability to the
group.
Dakota Venture Group
4200 James Ray Drive Grand Forks, ND 58203
www.dakotaventuregroup.com 701.738.4822
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