St. Cloud Companies Find Success in FastLane94 Trailblazer Challenge

(KNSI) – Two fledgling companies based out of St. Cloud will take part in the Carlson School of Management’s annual MN Cup competition.

To get there, they first had to find success in the FastLane 94 Trailblazer Challenge, run by the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, ILT Studios, and organizations in Fergus Falls and Moorhead.

Andrew and John Dahlberg’s Talknician won the adult category. It uses augmented reality to relay information among workers within a factory. The company bested four other finalists, including St. Cloud’s Brigid Brew. She pitched creating a non-profit advertising agency for small businesses. Logo design, social media, and website creation would all be provided at no cost.

In the student category, Bros Outdoors of Big Lake was the winner. McKinley Area Learning Center Senior Said Abdi was a finalist and his vision is better suited for the MN Cup. He founded 2700 Podcasts, which highlights community members dealing with challenges like addiction and domestic violence.

The companies went up against organizations from 17 counties in central and west Minnesota. In September, they’ll find out the results from the Carlson School of Management MN Cup. The competition allows participants to pitch their ideas to corporations, venture capital firms, and others to get support and expand operations.

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