Music to your ears
If you have small ears, the standard earbuds for Apple’s iPod are probably a little uncomfortable. Griffin Technology of Nashville, Tenn., offers a solution with its Griffin Technology EarJams accessory for $14.99. Simply snap them onto your stock iPod earbuds and enjoy more comfort thanks to a smaller and softer material. The EarJams also increase bass and raise the volume up to 10 decibels. And they’re washable.
Seeking enterprising ideas
When innovation is combined with entrepreneurship, cities and towns see economic results, and a Longmont-based think tank is trying to test the theory.
The Magellan Center is accepting proposals for the Colorado Catalyst2 project “Exponential Potential for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.”
Based on the results of a 10-year national study, regional economies improved when enterprising people come up with new ideas. The study found that the Fort Collins region ranked No. 1 in the nation for the “winning combination of entrepreneurship and innovation.”
The Glenwood Springs region led the nation in entrepreneurship, while the Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Cortez regions ranked in the top 22 for innovation capacity.
“The idea is that people often come up with great ideas, and they’re located in a particular city,” said Magellan president Pam Gibson. “We’re trying to put together a group of unique proposals across the state that will be done and studied simultaneously under one umbrella. It’s a two-year process.”
The center already has 24 proposals, Gibson said. The goal is to receive as many proposals as possible and apply for a grant to fund 16 winning projects.
Proposals detailing new innovations must target a business with revenues between $1 million and $20 million. Colorado nonprofits, universities, colleges, chambers of commerce, municipalities and economic development agencies are encouraged to apply. They have until July 6 to formally submit ideas.
