Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship and Startup Sioux Falls announce merger
Two well-known Sioux Falls entrepreneurial organizations have announced their intent to merge. Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship, founded by Forward Sioux Falls in 2004, will assume operations of Startup Sioux Falls, founded by Matt Paulson, DBA MarketBeat, earlier this year. The merger is slated for completion by January 2020.
“Zeal and Startup Sioux Falls are now a single organization, with two distinct brands, focused on the single mission of helping startup founders and small business owners start and grow their businesses for the betterment of themselves, their families, and their communities,” says Maner.
Paulson, a Zeal Board Member, will continue to be actively involved in the work of both Startup Sioux Falls and the Zeal Center.
“With Startup Sioux Falls’ vibrant community and Zeal’s world-class facility, close ties to the Chamber and the Development Foundation and deep bench of entrepreneurial support agencies (SBA, SBDC, GOED, Enterprise Institute, SD Biotech, etc.) the combined organization will serve as a true ecosystem organization for Sioux Falls,” says Paulson.
Both Startup Sioux Falls and the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship brands will continue to exist, with a strong collaboration between the volunteer and freelance team that runs Startup Sioux Falls and the team that runs the Zeal Center. Additionally:
- Both organizations will adopt consistent branding and marketing efforts.
- Day-to-day finances and business operations of both organizations will run through Zeal’s legal entity.
- Zeal will continue to operate as a 501(c)4 corporation and Startup Sioux Falls will become a new 501(c)3 which will allow the combined organization to accept charitable gifts and apply for ecosystem grants.
- Existing projects, events and programming of both organizations will continue forward in continued collaboration.
About Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship: The certified hub for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial resources in the Sioux Falls area, Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship is a collaborative network of subject matter experts working to connect area entrepreneurs with trusted resources needed at every stage of business development. Zeal offers professional services business support through flexible and affordable incubation, coworking and meeting space, interactive programs and services, peer networking and mentorship.
About Startup Sioux Falls: A community organization that connects small business owners and startup founders to one another and to the startup ecosystem in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota metro, Startup Sioux Falls’ mission is to create a movement of small business owners and startup founders working to create and grow businesses for the betterment of themselves, their families, and their communities. A one-stop shop to learn about resources, find events and networking, read the latest news. Join the Facebook Group, watch the live Facebook video series, subscribe to weekly Emails, and participate in interactive events.
For More information:
Brienne Maner
Executive Director, Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship
Matt Paulson
Founder, MarketBeat and Startup Sioux Falls