Jan. 8, 2025

This paid piece is sponsored by Startup Sioux Falls.

By Brienne Maner, Startup Sioux Falls president

Honing business models, bridging gaps and creating a greater sense of community helped define a milestone year for Startup Sioux Falls.

In our first full year at our new headquarters in downtown Sioux Falls, we found new ways to connect inside and outside our walls. And, as we look ahead at 2025, we have a number of new exciting initiatives ahead.

Here’s a look at what’s driving our startup ecosystem.

Reflecting on 2024

2024 was a year of significant progress for the Sioux Falls startup ecosystem. We witnessed the power of collaboration, with community support playing a crucial role in driving innovation. Key accomplishments include:

• Empowering founders through funding: Startup Sioux Falls relaunched the Founder Funder Scholarship Fund in the fourth quarter, a program designed to make entrepreneurship more accessible by removing financial barriers. With generous community support, we’ve helped aspiring founders pursue their dreams and turn their ideas into reality. Learn more about the fund here.

• Expanding access: Our grant window with the SBA Community Navigator program has ended, but its impact continues on. We have since extended partnerships with the LSS Center for New Americans and Dakota Resources. These partnerships have expanded access to resources, support and education, building a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape across South Dakota. 
• Investing in member and client experiences: Upgrades to the Startup Sioux Falls facility include a second phone booth for added privacy, event lighting improvements and advanced technology to support co-working and event hosting. These investments will ensure that our space remains a productive, inspiring and functional environment for all.

• Celebrating strong board leadership: Our board welcomes new leaders in 2025. Entrepreneur John Meyer will take the helm as board chair, Cindy Peterson will step in as vice chair, Arin Gonseth as treasurer, Chez Tschetter as secretary, and Paul Tschetter will transition to past chair. Their vision and dedication alongside the rest of our board have been and will continue to be instrumental in guiding our mission forward.

Looking ahead to 2025

Building upon the successes of 2024, we are focused on empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening partnerships and fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem in Sioux Falls. Key initiatives for 2025 include:

• Deepening support for founders: We will continue refining our suite of programs to better serve founders at all stages of their journey. This includes more industry-focused accelerator programs, continued networking opportunities, creating more niche mastermind groups and bolstering our Entrepreneur-in-Residence program. We also will host a second Founders Retreat and a new CO.STARTERS Makers Fair, providing valuable networking and learning opportunities.
• Advancing economic development expertise: I will be pursuing the Entrepreneurship Development Professional Certification through the International Economic Development Council, enhancing my knowledge and skills to better serve the Sioux Falls entrepreneurial and business community.
• Driving regional impact: Through the South Dakota Startup Alliance quarterly meetings and partnerships with organizations like the SBA and the Governor’s Giant Vision Competition, we will continue to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the state, making South Dakota a more attractive destination for entrepreneurs.
• Enhancing partnerships: We are collaborating with the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps to further enhance our connectivity with state universities and provide even more support for our early-stage area founders. 
• Elevating community engagement: With new board leadership and a reinvigorated vision guided by EOS Traction, our team is set to grow and refine our programs, events and outreach efforts to further unify and empower the entrepreneurial community in 2025. This vision will guide us toward our 2034 target of serving 100,000 people and helping 100 businesses grow. 

The future of Startup Sioux Falls depends on the incredible entrepreneurs, partners and supporters who share our vision. Together, we’re not just supporting new and growing businesses — we’re creating a thriving community built on innovation, collaboration and opportunity for all who choose to live, work and play here.

To view the full Startup Sioux Falls annual report, click here.

Connect with Startup Sioux Falls

If you’d like to learn more about the Startup Sioux Falls community, stop in at 100 E. Sixth St. and the team will help connect you with programs and resources for your unique business situation.

Prefer to reach out online? You can do so here. 

Or, check it out the first and third Wednesday of each month, when co-working is free for remote workers and entrepreneurs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Plus, the monthly program Startup Sunrise returns Feb. 5 from 8 to 9:15 a.m. with a focus on wellness founders. Click here to learn more.

Your business also could benefit from using the Startup Sioux Falls headquarters. For a look at your options, click below.

From meetings to larger events, Startup Sioux Falls offers spaces for rent