Entrepreneurs in Residence

Alisha Vincent: Co-Founder & CEO of Desty

Alisha has spent 20 years helping small businesses and nonprofits grow along with 15 years shaping minds as a professor and administrator. She loves helping people reach their potential and is an entrepreneur at heart — launching companies in retail, consulting, nonprofit, and now travel-technology with Desty, a platform that makes adventure planning seamless and stress-free.

Experience/Perspective as an EIR: "I am honest about the struggles and wins I've had throughout my journey. My experience crosses several sectors and I am happy to offer input on each. Additionally, my background as a professor gives me a unique ability to teach instead of just tell, which I think many aspiring entrepreneurs would value."

Areas of Expertise: Sales & Business Development, Product Development, Operations & Systems

In her own words: I've benefited greatly from Startup and am happy to give back in a meaningful way. Making a business work is very hard, and I'd love to offer encouragement and insight that might be helpful to others.

Jon Oppold: Founder of Sunny's Pizzeria & The Orion Pub

Jon is a serial entrepreneur and experienced marketing and communications leader that specializes in brand strategy, customer experience, restaurant operations, workplace culture and all things creative. As the Owner/Founder of Sunny's Pizzeria and The Orion Pub in Sioux Falls, Jon has cultivated two unique local brands centered around providing a relaxed neighborhood feel and warm customer experience. Prior to founding his restaurant and pub, he had a twelve year career in marketing and communications, including three years leading Profile by Sanford's communications team during a period of rapid expansion and a three-year stint as the Founder and President of Homestead Design Company, a local web and graphic design startup.

Experience/Perspective as an EIR: "I have great experience with branding and marketing businesses, particularly startups. Additionally, I have first-hand experience in launching and scaling unique, successful and immediately profitable local brands debt-free. I am a lifelong learner and hands-on leader that leads from the front lines and have experience in all aspects of my businesses. I know first-hand the type of grit, determination, and effort that it takes to launch a new concept and nurture it to success as both a sole proprietor and strategic partner. Perhaps most importantly, I have created two very culture-focused staff-friendly operations that operate very lean with very limited staff turnover."

Areas of Expertise: Marketing & Branding, Sales & Business Development, HR/People/Culture

In his owns words: I love to give back to other founders because I know how much community matters when you're starting a new business, as most people in our lives have never launched a new business and it can be isolating and scary. It also reinvigorates me to be around other founders that are creating new concepts and solving problems because it is such a creative and fun environment and anyway I can be a steward to that is something I am interested in!

Will Cromarty: Founder and CEO of Kirkwall

Will Cromarty is a former CIA officer and national security subject matter expert in critical infrastructure defense. He is the CEO and founder of Kirkwall, a venture-backed software company focused on monitoring and securing critical infrastructure — or as they like to call it, “keeping robots on their best behavior.” The team draws on collective decades of experience at the CIA, FBI, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Google, the special operations community and multiple federal contractors from startup phase through IPO. In 2024, Kirkwall was named the No. 1 startup in South Dakota as the grand prize winner of the Governor’s Giant Vision Competition held by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

Experience/Perspective as an EIR: "I can provide insight on federal contracting, raising capital, pitch competitions, multi-state businesses, mergers and acquisitions, financial projections."

Areas of Expertise: Sales & Business Development, Operations & Systems, Fundraising & Investment

In his own words: "Working directly with new founders is one of the best parts of my week. I love supporting the next generation of founders, helping them grow and scale, and ensuring they celebrate their wins."

Jessica Meyers: Co-founder & CEO of PorchLight

In her professional career, Jessica has worked in several industries, from publishing, sales, and healthcare recruiting, where she has run multi-million dollar organizations and won multiple national awards across industries. Pairing over 20 years of sales and recruiting experience, she is co-founder and CEO of PorchLight. This talent recruitment firm partners with rural communities to prepare for the 21st-century workforce and connect rural workers to employment opportunities.

Jessica created the first-of-its-kind PorchLight Certification and the platform where rural development and job opportunities connect. In 2025, Jessica was awarded the Innovation at the Leading Edge award from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit for her work in rural communities.

Experience/Perspective as an EIR: "PorchLight has benefited significantly from the programming Startup offers. I understand uniquely how to grow an idea into a viable business and happy to share my business growth experience with the next founder."

Areas of Expertise: Sales & Business Development, Operations & Systems, HR/People/Culture

In her own words: "I am excited to give back. I really enjoy talking with founders of all stages and want to continue to support the new business eco system in the state."