Our Story
Early Team Mates
Our co-founders first met on the football field back in the 70’s. After leaving the gridiron, one became a successful engineer who owns a precision fabrication and manufacturing company. The other went the sales and marketing route and has helped launch over 20 companies in the high tech space.
Together, they created a manufacturing “incubator” for individuals and companies that desire to quickly turn a product idea into a prototype.
In addition to helping create cool new products, Tom + Geno enjoy traveling, football (complete with tailgating), hunting and fishing together.
Together, they created a manufacturing “incubator” for individuals and companies that desire to quickly turn a product idea into a prototype.
In addition to helping create cool new products, Tom + Geno enjoy traveling, football (complete with tailgating), hunting and fishing together.
Gene O'Brien
Co-Founder
I've always enjoyed making things. That's what drove me to complete an Engineering Degree (BME) at the University of Minnesota and launched a career in manufacturing. Creating products and processes to make various things people needed to improve their lives provides a rich and rewarding life purpose. With God's blessing, I have been able to run a family owned company that is celebrating 43 years in business and 32 years under my leadership. It is my hope that the business will continue to flourish as it transitions into a third generation of family member leadership.
Minnetonka Labs represents an opportunity for me to use my experience and expertise, built over three decades, to launch new ideas successfully into the market place. Track record and experience matters and can be the difference between triumph and failure. Unlike Tom, the sales guy, you will find me at the factory making your dream a reality.
Tom Venable
Co-Founder
“My purpose in life has always to been to challenge the status quo; resist the “we have always done it this way” mentality; find better ways to get stuff done; and be a change agent to move individuals, teams and organizations to a better position.”
A serial software startup guy and market disruptor, Tom spent the 90’s helping bringing office automation software to the corporate world and making the typewriter obsolete. The 00’s saw him help usher in the era of ecommerce and put the floppy disk on the extinct list. When not disrupting entire markets, he can be found on the water, the snow or the deck at Lord Fletcher’s on Lake Minnetonka.
A serial software startup guy and market disruptor, Tom spent the 90’s helping bringing office automation software to the corporate world and making the typewriter obsolete. The 00’s saw him help usher in the era of ecommerce and put the floppy disk on the extinct list. When not disrupting entire markets, he can be found on the water, the snow or the deck at Lord Fletcher’s on Lake Minnetonka.
