Happy Appapalooza 2020! Today we would have gathered 1500 people to celebrate. We would have celebrated the girls who thought about challenges in their communities and built mobile applications to provide solutions to those challenges. We would have celebrated their mentors who are educators, business professionals, and parents and who are so passionate about inspiring… Read More
Anjali Donthi, a five-year Technovation[MN] participant and student board member, was recently featured in Minnesota Women’s Press, Inventors Issue, April 2020. Anjali’s team developed a mental wellness application for youth. May is just around the corner and is Mental Health Awareness month. Mental Health Month gives all of us a valuable opportunity to celebrate the… Read More
These are unprecedented times and we are grateful for your patience as we work through constantly changing guidelines. The closures of late and COVID-19 visualizations and models have put an even brighter spotlight on the importance of technology in our world. The mission and focus of Technovation[MN] remains of utmost priority as diverse teams will… Read More
Technovation[MN] teams up with the Cargill Foundation receiving a two-year grant and numerous employees volunteering their time and expertise to mentor girls in the Twin Cities. Technovation[MN], a Twin Cities-based organization, works to bring technology and entrepreneurial programs to Minnesota’s girls to spark interest, build technical knowledge and develop confidence. Girls ages 10-18 have the… Read More
January is #MentoringMonth, and to celebrate we are shining the spotlight on some of our hardworking mentors! Meet Tea Dejanovic, and hear what inspires her to get involved. Job Title: Senior Business AnalystCompany: Perficient Why Do You Choose to Mentor for TechnovationMN? I’m lucky to work at a company that invests extensively in my professional growth,… Read More
January is #MentoringMonth, and to celebrate we are shining the spotlight on some of our hardworking mentors! Meet Ganga Gopalkrishnan, and hear what inspires her to get involved. Job Title: IT Technology ManagerCompany: Mayo Clinic Why Do You Choose to Mentor for TechnovationMN? The technovation mentorship fulfills two areas of interest for me – 1. Giving… Read More
The entire board of TechnovationMN extends our warmest congratulations to Anjali Donthi, who has just been recognized in her community with the Mayor’s Medal of Honor award. Anjali is among 13 recipients of this honor for her dedication and hard work in her community. We asked Anjali a few questions about it, and here’s what… Read More
Technovation[MN] is pleased to announce that Lisa Schlosser will serve as the first Executive Director of the organization. Schlosser most recently was the Chief Executive Officer and President in the Interim of the Minnesota High Tech Association. Before that, she was Chief Technology Officer for the FindLaw business of Thomson Reuters. “With the growth of… Read More
MN Cup host an annual competition that reaches emerging entrepreneurs from across the state and connects them with tools, resources and support to launch and accelerate the development of their new ventures. They are the largest, most impactful statewide startup competition in the world. Many teams entered the competition but, Technovaiton[MN] is proud to announce 3… Read More
On May 11th we also announced our Technovation[MN] Spark Scholarships winners. This is a significant milestone in the growth of our organization. We created these sponsorships to continue to spark a fire within her. We want these girls to see that technology is a tool to get their ideas out to the world and that… Read More
Today we hosted our 6th annual Appapalooza! We started in 2014, with 11 teams and 48 girls and today we are here with 87 teams and 348 girls. These girls worked thousands of hours planning and coding their apps and defining their business. They presented their pitches to all friends, family, supporters and our esteemed judges…. Read More
U.S. bank has sponsored, volunteered and judged our annual Appapalooza celebration that congratulates all Minnesota Technovation Challenge teams on completing the 12-week curriculum and submitting their work to global. For the last two years they have hosted a select group of girls for a day at the U.S Bank office. The teams of middle school… Read More
Re-post from GoKart Labs If you’re a business leader thinking about your future workforce, you should pay attention to organizations like Technovation, who are fostering and shaping skills that you will need — and even already need — as your business grows and technology evolves. Technovation is the largest global technology entrepreneurship program for girls… Read More
I ran into a high school classmate when I was back home. We got to chatting, and I realized the last time I had seen her had been at our graduation: seven and a half years ago. That three quarters of a decade seems simultaneously like a lifetime and like an instant. I know I’ve… Read More
My name is Alex Aavang and I am a Technovation[MN] Board Member and a 2-year Technovation Mentor. Many of my friends and coworkers have asked about what it is like to be a Technovation mentor, so I wanted to share my answer with you today! I am currently a Software Development Engineer for Amazon in… Read More
The Technovation Challenge inspires and enables teen girls to dream up, design, code and business pitch mobile apps. The all-girl teams develop a real-world combination of technical and entrepreneurial skills working with their professional mentors. But still not sure what it takes to be a mentor? Or if you are the right fit? Check out… Read More
Amazon has supported Technovation [MN] for the past two years. After being inspired by our work with young girls, Amazon partnered with us to present the “Alexa Skills Challenge.” It provides students with an opportunity to get direct, hands-on application of creating a voice-enabled Alexa skill to help make everyday tasks faster, easier, and more delightful… Read More
Hello everyone! I have some exciting news! First off, some introductions. My name is Alex Aavang. I am a Software Development Engineer at Amazon by day and a Technovation[MN] board member and mentor by night. This is my first year on the board, but I’ve had a blast mentoring the teams at Aurora Charter School… Read More
After Appapalooza in May, some Technovation[MN] teams go on to compete in other tech challenges in the Twin Cities. This year, Computer Glitz, an Eagan-based Technovation[MN] team that was one of the 2018 high school division winners at Appapalooza, took their app HandsOn to Minnedemo in St. Paul. On July 12, the team demoed their app… Read More
It’s no secret that women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, and at Technovation[MN] we take that seriously. Take our co-founder and executive director, Shawn Stavseth, for example. Through her volunteer work with Technovation[MN] and her professional career, Shawn is one of the many women across the U.S. who is drawing… Read More
9 teams will advance to semi-finals May 12, 2018 (MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.) – Today, hundreds of middle and high school girls gathered at Technovation[MN]’s annual Appapalooza celebration to compete in an international app-building challenge. Participants spent three months imagining, designing and building mobile apps to solve community problems. Technovation[MN], a Code Savvy non-profit, is proud to… Read More
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., April 4 — For the past seven years, the Progress Minnesota Awards Program through Finance and Commerce has recognized individuals, companies and organizations that drive Minnesota into the future through economic development, entrepreneurship, technological innovation and workforce development. A panel of independent judges reviewed this year’s nominations and recognized 24 honorees for their… Read More
April 4, 2018 (MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.) – Technovation[MN], a Code Savvy non-profit youth program focused on enabling teen girls to learn entrepreneurship skills and how to code mobile apps, today announced details about its annual mobile app pitch event, AppapaloozaTM. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, at the Minneapolis Convention Center and provides Technovation[MN]… Read More
Kristine Schaefer is principal of Loma Communications, an executive communications coaching firm whose motto is: “Tell the world who you are, what you stand for and how you’ll deliver.” Dear Technovation Challengers, In the ways that Title IX paved the way for girls in sports and academics, the work you’re doing will change the tech… Read More
Guest post by Angie Kalthoff, a Technology Integrationist in for the St. Cloud Area School District 742. She consults with organizations that want to understand the why, what and how behind Computer Science in the K-12 setting, with a focus on elementary education. I am excited to see how girls, right here in Minnesota, will change… Read More
Guest post from Keerthi Manikonda, 2017 Technovation[MN] participant The MN Cup experience is something that I am truly grateful for. It has been something that has taught me various life skills and has brought me closer to my teammates. It taught me to learn how to be a strong and reliable leader and it also… Read More
Guest post from Sophia Fulton, 2017 Technovation[MN] participant Do big things. Do epic things. Do things people don’t think you can do. Do things that you don’t think you can do. We’re rooting for you. That’s what I felt as my team participated in Technovation, and most recently, MN Cup: the largest startup competition in… Read More
Give to the Max Day 2017 is coming up! Be a part of getting more girls like Tien involved in STEM! To keep our program completely cost-free for girls like Tien, we rely on your support! Donate to Technovation[MN] this Give to the Max Day! “Through Technovation and Aspirations I met role models already in… Read More
2018 mentor and team registration is now open! We are so looking forward to a fantastic season! Expect more teams, more fun, and an even bigger Appapalooza, scheduled for Saturday, May 12 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Register your Technovation[MN] team so that we can give you all the support you need throughout the season.
Originally posted by the Rochester Post Bulletin A group of Rochester girls are finalists in a Minnesota business competition, thanks to an app they created that discourages texting and driving. The team of five from Rochester Public Schools are finalists in two categories of the 2017 Minnesota Cup, a competition for the best new business… Read More
Being unapologetically yourself. It’s a saying I hear often, but if there’s one thing that I learned since getting involved with technology last year, it is just that. I grew up in a traditional Vietnamese family. We do not travel or do much outside of the norm. My parents are immigrants and have to work… Read More
Guest post by Keerthi Manikonda, a Technovation[MN] participant and Appapalooza Guest Speaker Approximately three and a half years ago, one of my instructors from a program called BDPA approached me and a couple other girls, and told us about this cool new program that encourages girls to try mobile app development. I went home that… Read More
We are extremely excited and proud to announce that TWO (2) Technovation[MN] teams are Runners Up in the Global Technovation Challenge. Each team will receive a scholarship to continue their work and/or studies in business, technology or computer science. See the 2017 Award Structure. VIA by BDPA SKeMAS – Senior Division Via is a safe… Read More
MN Cup announced today it has advanced 3 Technovation[MN] teams to the semifinals of the 2017 competition. Eye on Walleye Technovation Junior semi-finalist team and the Top Scoring Technovation[MN] team Eye on Walleye was developed to provide a more accurate and real-time track of the fishing population Pitch Video | Demo Video Via Technovation Senior semi-finalist team Via… Read More
An inspiring group of dreamers, designers and doers gathered yesterday at the Minneapolis Convention Center as over 60 teams of high school and middle school girls came together in celebration of their hard work with Technovation[MN]. Teams of young women pitched mobile apps they have been building over the past 3 months to business professionals…. Read More
Congratulations to our 9 teams that are advancing to semi-finals for the chance to go to the global competition in San Francisco! Check out their pitch videos here: G.I.R.L.S. can H.A.K. from Maple Grove Middle School The Tech-Tastics from St. John the Evangelist The 4 Musketeers from Chaska Middle School East Her-ricanes from Chatfield Public Schools… Read More
Guest post from Leib Yardley, Appapalooza Volunteer Coordinator Appapalooza 2017 will take place on Sunday, May 7th from 2-5pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center. We will need many volunteers to pull off this year’s event as we are expecting over 290 participants and 750 attendees! If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using… Read More
APPLY HERE TO BE AN APPAPALOOZA JUDGE. Technovation Challenge 2017 is nearing completion! The 54 middle school and 12 high school teams are busy polishing their mobile apps, creating demo videos, and for the high school teams, completing their business plans for submission by April 26. All of this learning and hard work will culminate… Read More
Guest post by Jean Weiss, Code Savvy, Executive Director, and Technovation Regional Ambassador Another record breaking year for Technovation[MN] is in the making. In this, our fourth year, we again we have more mentors, more students, and more teams than ever before. We have teams across the Twin Cities, both urban and suburban and teams… Read More
Guest post by Karen Winkler, Technovation[MN] Board Chair, Mentors and Technology I love math and I wanted my daughters to love math, so when they were in grade school I made sure they saw me in action as a ‘math-lete’ and enjoying the ‘game’. I’m also kind of a health nut, and I wanted my… Read More
Guest post by Annette Evans, Technovation[MN] Board Chair – Fundraising Technovation[MN] is thrilled to be working in partnership with MultiTech – A woman owned IoT technology company committed to helping our efforts to break barriers and propel girls in STEM. MultiTech will make a donation for EACH and EVERY badge they scan at their booth… Read More
A group of nearly 100 middle and high school girls gathered at Lourdes High School on Wednesday. Armed with curiosity and energy, they were tasked with coming up with solutions to some of Rochester’s most pressing problems. No issue was too big to broach. On the table were topics that confound the region’s leaders each… Read More
Guest Post by Eve Poeschl, Technovation[MN] Board Member There’s more to developing an app than choosing features and writing code that will bring the idea to life. There’s an important decision to make first. Who’s your target audience? Defining this group is critical to the success of any app. Impact of your target audience The… Read More
Guest post written by Karen Winkler, Technovation[MN] Mentor Board Chair ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’-Mahatma Gandhi This has got to be one of the most referenced quotes, especially when referring to personal behavior. Want more people to be nice; start acting nicer. Want your kids to eat more vegetables; start… Read More
Calling all girls, mentors, and volunteers! Registration for the Global Technovation Challenge is now open. REGISTER FOR 2017 2017 SEASON TIMELINE Registration Opens: October 1, 2016 Individual & Team Registration Deadline: March 8, 2017 Submission Deadline: April 26, 2017 World Pitch Summit: August 7-11, 2017 Every year, Technovation challenges girls all over the world to… Read More
We’re excited to share with you an annual award offering career inspiring opportunities for female students in your Minnesota high school who have technology interests and aspirations. Young women in grades 9-12 are invited to apply for the fifth annual Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards, hosted by Advance IT Minnesota and prominent local partners. Last year,… Read More
Technovation[MN] is looking for a project manager intern to help implement this year’s Technovation Challenge. If you are passionate about technology and want to do something to get more girls involved in the innovation of products this role is for you. Contact Us to apply. Our ideal candidate is someone who is obsessed with details…. Read More
Amazon today announced plans for a new technology development center in downtown Minneapolis that will create 100 full-time, technology-focused jobs. To celebrate Amazon’s expansion in the Minneapolis community, Amazon is donating $10,000 plus mentoring support to local nonprofit Code Savvy to help the group’s mission of encouraging youth’s understanding of coding and promoting diversity in… Read More
What an incredible day…….Congrats to every single girl who pitched today! These 7 teams will be entered into the semi-final round of the World Pitch Competition. MIDDLE SCHOOL REGIONAL WINNERS In no particular order. J.A.T.S with Ace Assisted from St. Francis Assisi, Rochester MN Ace Assisted is an app that help you find the perfect… Read More
All 50 teams from Minnesota completed their 12-weeks of technology entrepreneur curriculum and submitted their mobile apps that solve a social problem to the Technovation Challenge. Congratulations to you all! What a huge accomplishment. We are very excited to see you and hear your app pitches, not to mention celebrate your success, at Appapalooza on 5/1…. Read More
