Royally MIXed also was the first introduction to BizMIX’s 11 finalists, announced earlier this week. The finalists—chosen from more than 70 applicants—are competing for $10,000 in prize money, mentorship and business development resources.

Attendees last night were pitched throughout the evening by the finalists and given the opportunity to vote for a crowd favorite. It was competitive, Alexandra Ladd’s Soapbox Kids—a locally-sourced fundraising tool for kids—was the winner. Ladd will now receive a $300 check from MIX.

Over the next few weeks, finalists will work with mentors to prepare an in-depth business plan. On May 31, finalists will present their business plans to a panel of judges. Grand finalists will be announced at the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Business Awards on June 7. Three grand finalists will showcase their business ideas at MIX’s third Thursday event June 21, at which the grand prizewinner will be announced.

Congrats to all the finalists for a great evening, and thanks again to the Palace for its excellent hosting. We’ll have more photos from last night’s MIX soon and, of course, mark your calendars for the June 21 MIX.

Coverage of last night’s events from Santa Fe.com and from The Santa Fe Reporter.

The competition received 74 applications, with ideas ranging from new music venues to developing specialty food trucks to biotechnology start-ups and agricultural grow-bags.

Read more about BizMIX in today’s Santa Fe New Mexican and The Santa Fe Reporter.

Finalists will pitch their ideas to the public at Royally MIXed: 6 pm, Thursday, May 17, the third Thursday MIX event at the Palace Restaurant and Saloon. Attendees will be able to vote and the crowd favorite will win a cash prize.

Over the next few weeks, finalists will work with mentors to prepare an in-depth business plan. On May 31, finalists will present their business plans to a panel of judges. Grand finalists will be announced at the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Business Awards on June 7. Three grand finalists will showcase their business ideas at MIX’s third Thursday event June 21, at which the grand prizewinner will be announced.

The finalists are:
● Haj Khalsa, Betamapper; Betamapper allows users to plan and map outdoor sports adventures.
● Alexandra Ladd, Soapbox Kids; Soapbox Kids is a locally sourced fundraising tool for schools.
● Ryan Helean, Maya Tile; Maya Tile plans to introduce its one-of-a-kind leaded crystal cast glass tiles into luxury markets in the U.S. and internationally.
● Robert Applegate, Focus Biomedical LLC; Focus Biomedical, LLC. is a boutique, high-technology firm headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, specializing in the research, development, and commercialization of passive particle and cell focusing technologies for use in biotechnology.
● Alden Markby, Meticulous Motors; Meticulous Motors aims to become Santa Fe’s premier mobile mechanic service and youth oriented mechanic training program.
● Bob Kreger, Rain Vessels; RainVessels is a new patent-pending unique solution for rainwater and greywater catchment and storage.
● Lisa Miles, Pants Off; Pants Off is a local, handmade silkscreen underwear company with an emphasis on daring derrieres.
● Bryan Mayhall, Papa Dulce; Papa Dulce (“Sweet Potato” in Spanish) is a vegan food truck serving up delicious, organic, plant-based dishes using locally-sourced farm produce and products.
● Sattva Ananda, The Way We Grow; The Way We Grow is a multi faceted company manufacturing, designing and developing revolutionary tools for the agricultural world.
● David Jondreau, Gear Up on Filemaker 12; This FileMaker database manages local GEARUP programs, which assist rural low-income high school students attend college.
● Christopher Johnson, Meow Wolf Publishing; Meow Wolf Publishing aims to make the works of Meow Wolf authors and artists available in both traditional and electronic formats.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/05/14/makers-wanted-are-you-a-hardware-start-up-talk-to-us/

You can read the full report here:
April Mix report

Thanks, again, to The Palace Restaurant and Saloon, El Farol, Cupcake Clothing, Outside Magazine, Second Street Brewery, Hutton Broadcasting and other Mix sponsors for contributing prizes for the Saint-Mike’s-O-Tron wheel!

Below, check out some of the ideas on the map, and then scope the complete list below.
Contribute your own ideas in comments, and keep your eyes open for upcoming St. Mike’s idea generation activities.

Traffic circles
creative village on or adjacent to SFUAD grounds
arts and culture beehive
bar with a 6 lane bowling alley
go carts
live work space
a pathogen free sex positive gay bathhouse
empanada shack
second run movies with beer and pizza
art gallery with a strip club
a bar like matador but big enough for seating
revitalized movie theater
restaurants bars
dance clubs
drag strip traffic lights with top speed displays
reduced zoning and parking regulations
live work space
anything but fast good and car lots
serious greenery
live music venues
community gardens
live work spaces
a fabulous shoe emporium
center median light rail pilot tram
microbusiness startup space
cheap art space
center for aging and elderly with creative activities and legal resources prairie dog petting zoo
outdoor community center with shops kiosks fireplaces and fountains
indoor and outdoor soccer complex
communal creative space
mini golf
live work space
turn car lots into community charter schools
safe house and rehabilitation center
hand art rail through the middle
giant clanging train arriving in X minutes accurate sculpture

Get the lowdown on the rules, the schedule and the fill out the application HERE.

MIX BizMix challenge ad

• Mix’s current business plan challenge and an interview with organizer Connor Wilson

• a profile of Mix web guru Geet Jacobs on the city’s infrastructure needs.

• Mix coordinator and city economic development specialist Kate Noble on the culture of entrepreneurship.