Steve Nielsen '03 BSB

Entrepreneurs Partner Up By Jessica Walstrom Steve Nielsen, ’03 BSB, is the founder of PartnerUp, a free web-based business service designed to help entrepreneurs find partners with the exact skills and experience needed for each of their ventures—from business partners to executives, advisors, board members, and skilled professionals. “Entrepreneurs generally have very specific skill sets that they’re looking for in a partner,” says Nielsen. “For example, an entrepreneur with an idea for a new consumer electronic device would likely need an electrical engineer. A physician with an idea for a new medical device might need a partner with experience in marketing or finance. PartnerUp can help these entrepreneurs find the people they need.” In development for over two years and launched in April 2007, PartnerUp grew from Nielson’s own experience. While attempting to start a radio-frequency identification (RFID) company, he discovered that resources are often limited or unavailable for the new guys with great ideas. Nielsen was unable to locate and obtain the necessary employees to venture into this highly technological field. He also faced competition for a limited talent pool from a handful of powerful companies in the Twin Cities area, a disadvantage for even the strongest of start-ups. The RFID company never launched. But in true entrepreneurial fashion, Nielsen used his experience to fine-tune the services offered through PartnerUp. The majority of opportunities listed on the website, which is funded by ad revenue, seek a co-founder, executive, board member, or other position where people become involved in the company as more than an average employee. Most are looking to become a key player in building a company. As the first online community focused on bringing entrepreneurially spirited people together with a goal of building companies, careers, and relationships, PartnerUp holds a strong first-mover advantage. Nielsen attributes this to helping double their initial projections for success. As Nielsen says, “In the future, I see PartnerUp as the definitive place to get your venture off the ground.”