South Dakota FAST Launch Bootcamp

The South Dakota FAST Launch Business Bootcamp – a seven-hour crash course in starting a business — takes place (at Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.) and virtually from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST on Saturday, Feb. 11, detailing how to start and grow a business as well as develop and commercialize innovations.

Katherine Cota, director of economic development at Dakota State University, will be leading this intensive workshop that includes lean methodology, business model canvas, and other business processes. Anyone interested in starting a business, non-profit or internal organizational project – and anyone interested in growing their existing business – should attend this event.

• Register here for the Feb. 11 Bootcamp.
• View the FAST Launch flier.

About South Dakota FAST Launch

The South Dakota FAST Launch program assists South Dakota entrepreneurs and small businesses with beginning and expanding their business through the South Dakota Giant Vision Competition and SBIR/STTR funding. To be eligible for the South Dakota FAST Launch funds, an entrepreneur or business must register and participate in bootcamp. South Dakota FAST Launch is a series of a bootcamp and workshops throughout December.

If you are planning to attend this December workshop, you may also want to attend Developing a Business Model: Customer Discovery and Write a Business Plan to be offered in February.

Funding Opportunities

Participants of the bootcamp are eligible to apply for up to $1,500 to support a customer validation process. If customer interest is validated, a participant can apply for up to $10,000 to support further development and implementation of their business plan. South Dakota FAST Launch encourages and supports entrepreneurs to participate in the South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Competition, which has a winning business award of $20,000. Participants should also apply for SBIR/STTR funding to grow and advance their business.