Nov. 1, 2021

Startup Sioux Falls will receive $1 million in federal funding to support entrepreneurship programming for underserved populations.

The organization is one of 51 nationwide chosen by the U.S. Small Business Administration to implement the Community Navigator Pilot Program, which is part of the American Rescue Plan initiative. It is designed to reduce barriers that all small businesses, including those owned by disadvantaged groups such as veterans, women and those from rural communities and communities of color, often face in accessing critical support.

“This award means a great deal to our team on many levels, and we are grateful to our partners at the SBA for believing in our vision,” said Brienne Maner, Startup Sioux Falls executive director.

“We’re once again putting Sioux Falls on the national stage as one of only 51 grantees among 700 applications nationwide. We are increasing capacity for the impactful work we’ve been doing to support entrepreneurs and startups through accelerator programming and professional resources, and, most importantly, we are taking real action in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion by supporting previously underserved communities across the state of South Dakota. We’ve still got a lot of work to do as a city, as a state and as a nation, but I have no doubt the Community Navigator Pilot Program will move the needle toward a more robust and equitable startup ecosystem, creating a more prosperous future for generations to come.”

It is a two-year award, Maner said. While Startup Sioux Falls is still planning exactly how it will roll out, the funds will support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts by bringing accelerator programming, mentorship and professional resources to underserved communities locally and statewide. That includes the Co.Starters accelerator platform that has attracted dozens of entrepreneurs in Sioux Falls, but with a modified curriculum and format to reflect the populations being served.

“We’re thrilled to announce Startup Sioux Falls as a Community Navigator Pilot Program recipient in South Dakota,” said Jaime Wood, SBA South Dakota district director. “Since March 2020, small businesses across the nation, including here in South Dakota, have experienced economic distress because of the pandemic. Through it all, Startup Sioux Falls has been a lifeline of support for numerous small business stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds. Up to $1 million in funding will increase the capacity of Startup Sioux Falls to connect more SBA assistance to the businesses hit hardest: minorities, women, veterans and those in rural areas.”

The SBA said it conducted “a competitive review process to ensure compliance, objectivity and integrity that allowed every applicant an opportunity to demonstrate the impact the SBA’s support of their organization could have on their communities.”