Dakota Rising is a program designed to spur a renaissance of South Dakota's rural economy. This exciting opportunity strategically partners with local communities to invigorate rural entrepreneurs and their enterprises. By deeply investing financial and human resources, we can grow the capacity of individuals and thus grow their ventures.

All across our state, on ranches, tribal lands and farmsteads, neighbors still gather for a barn raising, turning an empty landscape into a productive building. Communities have historically known how to gather together and support an inspiring individual's vision for economic change. Today, we continue this tradition, as we support an entrepreneur's dream, which has the power to transform our rural landscape from a rugged frontier to a vibrant economy.

Once again, it is time to renovate the landscape and invest in individuals' dreams for change. Dakota Rising, an exciting new rural entrepreneur fellowship program, sets the foundation for making those visions possible.

Sustaining Communities
Rural communities are selected to collaborate with this innovative program. Each site is chosen based on its history of collaboration and community investment, evidence of a pool of potential entrepreneurs, and the presence of local citizen leadership willing and qualified to grow the entrepreneurial culture of their community. Each selected site participates in a statewide learning community sharing best practices around entrepreneurship cultivation and has access to more intentional, specialized resources to foster local entrepreneurship.

Cultivating Entrepreneurs - Strengthening Businesses
Sites partner with Dakota Rising to encourage local candidates to apply for the Dakota Rising Rural Entrepreneur Fellowship. Candidates, whose businesses must be located within the Site service area and be beyond a start-up phase of development, are required to submit a business and a professional development plan. Applicants are selected based on a history of action-oriented risk taking, an excitement to learn and grow, the feasibility of their business and a strong plan for growth. Winning candidates will receive:

• $10,000 to be used for professional development and business growth.
• Access to a Fellowship community of rural South Dakota entrepreneurs focused on growing their businesses.
• Access to mentors, professional development, a peer advisory board, and ongoing focused, industry-specific technical assistance.

Dakota Rising, in partnership with the local Sites, work to help entrepreneurs achieve their goals to grow themselves and their businesses to a new level.

People have always been South Dakota's greatest asset. We've always known how to work hard and work together to grow our economy. The hands of many can accomplish the vision of one. South Dakota's history was built one barn at a time. By actualizing this same strategy, our future will be strengthened, one innovative business at a time. Today, we unite and raise our Dakota communities.

	Program Overview
	Mentor Brochure
	Sites
	Fellows
	Coaches
	Design Team
	Glossary of Terms
	Fellows Selection Criteria
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