MANKATO — Mankato entrepreneur April Femrite didn’t win the $100,000 prize in the Forbes.com contest, but it isn’t slowing her ambitions to expand her Naturally Bamboo business.
Femrite was one of five finalists who were flown to New York to present their startup business plans to a panel of judges.
The winner of the contest was Ksplice, a Massachusetts company that developed software to install computer updates without rebooting.
Femrite, who sells clothing made of bamboo fiber, bested more than 1,500 other entrants in the country to become one of 20 semi-finalists and then one of the finalists.
She wrote about her experience in her blog. naturallybamboo.wordpress.com
Femrite is seeking $3 million in venture capital to launch her business to the next phase.
“I will continue a grass roots effort to increase both on-line and retail store sales,” Femrite said of her immediate plans.
She is also a finalist for the ISPO Brand New Awards — ispo-brandnew.com/en/Hottest_Brands.aspx. Winners will be notified in January and receive a free booth at the world’s largest sports show in Munich, Germany.
Local News
No $100K prize, but Femrite still enthusiastic about bamboo
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Front and Cherry intersection opening late Thursday afternoon
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UPDATE: Laundry thief suspect caught
The Mankato Department of Public Safety is still seeking the public's
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Today's Currents stories
Thursday's Currents stories include: A preview of Highland Summer Theatre's "Love, Sex and the IRS"; a short story about this weekend's All Breed dog show; and Tanner Kent's column about digital music killing local band reunions; as well as the weekly entertainment and art exhibit calendars.
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Half pound of pot found after police respond to domestic call
Jessie Alan Wiebke was arrested after about $1,200 in cash was found in his possession.
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Barn restored to early glory to be site of service
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Update: Storm causes damage throughout New Ulm area
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The university will be corporate-sponsored, although none has officially signed on yet. The charter high school — which will be modeled in part after the New Country School in Henderson but with a “business twist” — will focus on hands-on lessons for alternative learners.
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