Startup Sioux Falls gains national attention for reaching new groups of founders
Posted May 24, 2024
In just over two years, Startup Sioux Falls has used a $1 million grant to reach nearly 400 accelerator participants and counsel nearly 2,000 founders and prospective founders across South Dakota — especially in areas and communities where entrepreneurs traditionally don’t flourish.
“The Community Navigator Pilot Program grant has strengthened our partner relationships through shared resources across the state, and the opportunity has provided incredible impact,” said Startup Sioux Falls president Brienne Maner.
National leaders in business-ecosystem building are also taking notice. Maner was invited to speak at a summit for the Association for Enterprise Opportunity’s Leveraging Regionalism To Empower Small Businesses Summit in Washington, D.C., representing rural states alongside panelists from Washington, New York City, and Maryland.
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“Everyone was very intrigued by our story of evolution and change, and our impact as a tier three recipient of the SBA’s Community Navigator grant,” Maner said. “We’ve not quite utilized the full $1 million award, and I think we are really standing apart from the pack of 51 grantees regarding leveraging of dollars and impact.”
How has Startup Sioux Falls leveraged its grant to reach underserved populations?
The grant uses a hub-and-spoke model, with Startup Sioux Falls as the hub and partners including Dakota Resources, EmBe, LSS Center for New Americans, Thunder Valley Community Development Corp. in Pine Ridge, and the South Dakota Small Business Development Center. By reaching rural and Native communities, it has built goodwill for Startup Sioux Falls as the conduit for free programming statewide.
How is 2024 going for Startup Sioux Falls?
A little over a year into operating a brand-new facility with a new business model, Startup Sioux Falls has a strong membership base and healthy activity in its booking system. Dedicated offices are fully rented and dedicated desks attract a diverse group, including remote workers who live or visit downtown. The facility is bustling with a variety of industries and backgrounds, which is exactly what was envisioned to create a vibrant ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Startup Sioux Falls is tackling the childcare crisis by leveraging Governor’s Office of Economic Development grant funds, building a community of founders through monthly meetups, and is halfway through its first GrowCo cohort. Registration is also open for a Founders Retreat in the Black Hills this fall.
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