Conversations about entrepreneurship often focus on Silicon Valley, Boston or other major metropolitan areas, yet Missoula and Bozeman, Montana enjoy some of the highest levels of entrepreneurship in the nation in terms of startup and high-growth companies, as well as spinoff activities, according to a report funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.Missoula and Bozeman rank 9th and 12th highest in startup rates among 394 areas in the U.S., and the proportion of high-growth firms is particularly high in Bozeman, higher than Denver (9th in the nation) and almost compatible with Washington, D.C. (1st in the nation), according to the report.

The Montana High Tech Business Alliance, MonTEC and the Blackstone LaunchPads at the University of Montana and Montana State University are holding two upcoming forums on entrepreneurship in Montana.

High-tech companies are an important component of Montana’s economy, generating more than $1 billion in revenues in 2016 and growing at rates seven times faster than the statewide economy, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

Rocky Mountain Bank hosted another big, high-energy crowd for the Montana High Tech Business Alliance reception in Bozeman for the third year in a row on February 21, 2017.

Restaurants and Coffee Shops, Ice Cream and Sweets, and lodging

Montana High Tech Business Alliance is highlighting 15 Montana companies to watch in 2017. To form this list, we looked for startups and growth companies that fit at least one of our criteria.

Bank of Bozeman is a local, independently owned community bank. We provide financial services and years of expertise to many individuals and businesses in the Gallatin Valley and surrounding areas.

Sunburst Sensors was launched in 1999 by Michael DeGrandpre and David Irwin to manufacture the SAMI-CO2 (Submersible Autonomous Moored Instrument for measuring dissolved CO2 in seawater). The technology was developed by DeGrandpre at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) in the mid 1990’s while in post-doc.

At Hagadone Digital Montana, we create innovative, customized digital marketing solutions designed to build your business and brand online.As a full service Internet marketing agency:

We create and expand the reach of your brand identity.

We develop your online voice to resonate with consumers.

We establish your business as an in-the-know industry expert.

First Interstate Bank hosted the Montana High Tech Business Alliance Reception in Missoula for the third year in a row, welcoming more than 130 guests to the sixth floor of their downtown branch on November 15, 2016.

As the cost of healthcare continues to rise and skilled talent is hard to come by, many Montana employers are turning to health and wellness programs as an opportunity to reduce costs, increase employee engagement, and improve people’s lives.

First Security Bank was created by local bankers in Bozeman in 1919. The first location was a remodeled butcher shop located just a block from where we are today.

Workiva (NYSE:WK) created Wdesk, a cloud-based productivity platform for enterprises to collect, link, report and analyze business data with control and accountability. The platform's proprietary word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications are integrated and built upon a data management engine, offering synchronized data, controlled collaboration, granular permissions and a full audit trail.

KOA is the world’s largest system of independently owned and operated campgrounds