Ben Anderson (entrepreneur)

Ben Anderson
Anderson speaking in 2015
Born	(1981-06-25) June 25, 1981 (age 43) Minneapolis, Minnesota
Alma mater	University of Saint Thomas (B.S.)
Occupation	CEO of AutoMotion

Ben Anderson is a Minneapolis-born entrepreneur and the founder of Cinemotion, LLC. Anderson, a graduate of the University of Saint Thomas is currently CEO of AutoMotion.

Early life and background

Ben was home-educated from kindergarten, graduating from the University of Saint Thomas in 2005 with a degree in entrepreneurship.

Recognition

Anderson founded Cinemotion in 2001 while at St. Thomas[1] and received numerous collegiate awards including the 2005 Pentair Student Entrepreneur of the Year honor.[2] [3] [4] Anderson was a featured young entrepreneur by BusinessWeek,[5] Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune,[6] Twin Cities Business Monthly,[7] and TCB[8] among others. Anderson was a finalist to appear on the first season of Shark Tank but declined based on contract terms. In 2011 Anderson was awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the US Small Business Administration.[9] Anderson is a regular speaker for automotive OEMs[10] and events such as J.D. Power. [11]

Data Privacy

An original vocal critic of social media and an advocate of data privacy, Anderson has stated that he has never had any social media accounts, including Facebook and LinkedIn. Anderson's speeches have included the motto, "don't put your data in other's hands" and reference strategies to control personal information on the web.[12]

Racing career

Anderson is a professional auto racing driver competing in Pirelli GT4 America[13] and other racing series.[14][15] Anderson won the NASA Championships in 2014, 2015, and 2017.[16][17] Anderson was a finalist in the 2014 Mazdaspeed Shootout.[18] In 2017 Anderson formed Ben Anderson Racing Driver Development and formed a new Formula 4 United States Championship team.[19]

References

1. "Success Stories - University of St. Thomas".^[permanent dead link‍]
2. "Past Entrepreneur Award Recipients - University of St. Thomas". Archived from the original on 2010-11-15. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
3. "UST College of Business alum wins state, regional awards for student entrepreneurship". Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
4. "Minnesota Cup Semi-Finalists". Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
5. BusinessWeek - Why You Need a Mentor, archived from the original on March 28, 2007
6. "Star Tribune Metro Business Section - Cinemotion Studios Profile" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-08.
7. "Twin Cities Business Monthly - College Student/CEO". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08.
8. "TCB people - Ben Anderson". Archived from the original on 2010-12-23.
9. "SBA 2011 Minnesota Young Entrepreneur of the Year". Archived from the original on February 17, 2013.
10. "2014 Connected Car Panel". YouTube.
11. "JD Power Roundtable Speaker Ben Anderson". Archived from the original on 2013-02-15.
12. Skogr, Brant (2020-01-27). "Noteworthy Businesses Born at St. Thomas". St. Thomas Newsroom. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
13. "Ben Anderson". GT4 America. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
14. "InRacing News - Forever Young". Archived from the original on 2010-05-07. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
15. "BenAndersonRacing.com".
16. "Mazda Champion - Mazda USA". Archived from the original on 2015-07-11. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
17. "Mazda Racers Shine at Championships - MazdaMotorsports USA". Archived from the original on 2015-09-05. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
18. "Shootout Finalists Announced - Racer.com". Archived from the original on 2015-10-27. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
19. "BAR Driver Development Brings Awareness to Matter for F4 US Finale".