Feb. 24, 2025

This paid piece is sponsored by Startup Sioux Falls.

Start your spring with a dose of entrepreneurial inspiration, connect with resources waiting for your business and celebrate the startup community’s success.

The Startup Sioux Falls calendar is filled with ways to grow your network, learn new skills and even relax and recharge.

Here are six upcoming events you’ll want to consider adding to your schedule.

Startup Sunrise

No matter what your industry, we likely all could use some marketing insight. Sioux Falls is home to a growing community of marketing-related founders, and you’ll hear from some of them at Startup Sunrise at 8 a.m. March 5 at the Startup Sioux Falls downtown headquarters.

The program facilitator will be Nate Boscaljon, founder of Boscaljon Design Co., with featured speakers Caleb Hoover, founder and owner of The Video Lab, and Tanna Soukup, founder and owner of Strategie.

Free co-working at Startup Sioux Falls will be available after the program.

“We think this is a great event for any business owner or anyone in business who is interested in marketing, learning, entrepreneurship or networking,” Startup Sioux Falls president Brienne Maner said.

“Fantastic relationships have been fostered through Startup Sunrise, so you’ll likely leave with new ideas and hopefully new contacts to help you implement them.”

SME Women in Business

Heading to the popular annual SME Women in Business event?

Stop by the Startup Sioux Falls booth March 18 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, where the team will be connecting with entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals looking to grow their networks and access valuable resources.

“Our focus at this event is to engage with women in business, share how Startup Sioux Falls supports entrepreneurs at all stages and highlight the community and resources available to help them succeed,” Maner said.

Startup Alumni Lunch 

This is a reunion that’s just going to get bigger! If you’ve ever participated in Startup Sioux Falls programming, it’s time to come together for lunch. Whether you’ve been part of a boot camp, business and software accelerator, Growco or the Founders Retreat, you’ve got a seat at this table.

“This event also is available to Startup Sioux Falls members, so please sign up,” Maner said. “It will be a time for connection, networking, and there will be an opportunity to get professional headshots.”

The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 27 at Icon Event Hall. Buy your ticket here.

Meetup all month, every month

Startup Sioux Falls hosts a growing number of meetups and founder socials every month.

“It’s a great opportunity for founders and entrepreneurs to find community and resources in their respective communities,” Maner said.

Here’s your complete guide: 

• March 6: Business Owner Moms Meetup from 9 to 10 a.m., first Thursday of the month. 
  A support group for mom business owners to share experiences and strategies.
• March 6: AI Skills & Innovation Meetup from 4:30 to 6 p.m., first Thursday. 
  A discussion on AI applications for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
• March 12: Local Bites Network Meetup from 6 to 7 p.m., second Wednesday.
  A community network empowering food entrepreneurs across industries.
• March 18: E-commerce Business Meetup from noon to 1 p.m., third Tuesday.
  A space for e-commerce business owners to discuss growth and challenges.
• March 18: Cybersecurity Forum Meetup from 4 to 5 p.m., third Tuesday.
  A forum to educate small-business owners on cybersecurity practices.
• March 19: Founders Meetup from 4 to 5 p.m., third Wednesday.
  A gathering for founders to connect, share experiences and support each other.
• March 19: BIPOC Founder Meetup from 6 to 7:30 p.m., third Wednesday.
  A networking space for BIPOC entrepreneurs to build relationships and access resources.
• March 20: Software Sync Meetup from 6 to 7 p.m., third Thursday.
  A collaborative group for all skill levels in software engineering.

Apply and accelerate

Looking ahead to later this spring, now’s the time to apply for upcoming boot camps and accelerators.

A two-day CO.STARTERS boot camp will be April 26-27 aimed at idea-stage and early-phase founders. It’s $100 for the full two-day program. Registration closes March 30, so click here to learn more.

If your business is focused on software as a service, or SaaS, an upcoming accelerator is designed for you.

Utilizing Rob Walling’s successful SaaS Launchpad curriculum, the accelerator will be facilitated by local SaaS founders and supported by a number of guest facilitators with expertise in launching a SaaS business. 

“The focus is on serving six or seven founders, with the goal of guiding them to obtaining their first revenue,” Maner said.

The cost is $350 for the program, which launches May 13 and runs through July. Click here to learn more and apply.

Founders Retreat

Head west, relax and recharge at the next Founders Retreat.

It will be June 4-6 in a beautiful, five-star vacation home in Lead.

“This is the second year for this retreat, and we had a phenomenal response from the first group that participated,” Maner said. “We’ll make some adjustments, and we know founders once again will find it incredibly valuable to step away from the day-to-day and spend time focusing on themselves and their business.”

Tickets are limited and will be available beginning at the Alumni Lunch.

“Additionally, we always encourage anyone who is interested in Startup Sioux Falls to just stop in our downtown office,” Maner said. “We’ll give you a tour and work individually with you to find the best way for you to begin connecting with what we have to offer.”