Startup Sioux Falls anticipates historic year ahead
At Startup Sioux Falls, we work to empower founders every day.
We believe that fostering a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem will create a better community at large, and we can’t think of a worthier pursuit to put our names behind.
As we reflect on everything our organization accomplished in 2022, we recognize a year of transformative change. We couldn’t have done any of it without our incredible Startup Sioux Falls community.
To the leaders who sit on our board, the community members who volunteer their time and provide generous financial support, and the many incredible starters and founders who inspire us daily — this work would be impossible without you.
2023 has so much in store as we open our new facility, grow our membership and continue to evolve our offerings. We are so grateful to all who have been and continue to be part of this journey.
As we reflect on a remarkable year, our annual report features the following ecosystem achievements:
1. Our downtown move!
We moved out of the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship in July and began working to transform our downtown location into a welcoming space for entrepreneurs and starters. Opening soon! 
2. Implementing our $1 million SBA grant
When we received the Community Navigators pilot program grant in 2021, we knew it had the potential to make a huge impact in our community. This year, we tackled the challenge head-on and developed strong relationships that will carry the program into 2023.
3. Launching the Founders Club
125 entrepreneurs and supporters joined our Founders Club in 2022 with the vision of being part of our space on day one and leading the Sioux Falls startup community into the future. We can’t wait to welcome this community into our space in February.
4. Enhancing our marketing efforts
By collaborating with creative entrepreneurs in the community who help us with design, storytelling, and promotion, we elevated Startup Sioux Falls’ brand recognition and, in turn, the support for the founders we serve.
Looking forward to 2023
2023 is going to be all about change as we complete our move downtown and realign our offerings to meet the needs of the founders we serve.
Check out (just a few!) of the exciting things we have in store for 2023.
1. Completing our move and building community
We are so close to opening our doors! As we finish moving in and begin welcoming the community into the space, we will be focused on operations and engaging members of the startup community in new and exciting ways.
2. Meeting the needs of founders and startups
We are always trying to better understand the needs of entrepreneurs. We will lean on the founders we serve to help us build community and provide the highest value-added events and programming possible. One area we will begin to focus is building the infrastructure to support more scalable startups.
3. Executing a transformed business model
Our team grew in 2022 at the same time that we were managing significant changes to our business model. In 2023, we will identify KPIs and study our business to inform the development of a sustainable long-term financial model.
4. Stakeholder engagement
As we transition from an incubation facility to an ecosystem organization, we have focused on building community and providing quality programs and services. As we settle into our new space, we will refocus our efforts on engaging our stakeholders and communicating the regional impact of the startup community.
Stepping into 2023, we have a clear vision for what success looks like a year from now. Founders are a huge part of what makes Sioux Falls’ economy vibrant, and we will do anything and everything we can to support their journeys. We hope you will continue to walk alongside us in this effort.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Brienne, Amos, Barb, Jeff, and Sara
