Posts by Andrea Van Essen
Organization Focus: Dakota Business Finance
Business owners seeking long-term, low interest financing for hard costs such as land, buildings, or equipment can benefit from the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 504 loan program. The 504 program was designed to provide another lending avenue for small businesses that would promote growth and advancement. Because assets like land or equipment act as collateral…
Read MoreRe:Boot Sioux Falls seeks technology donations for nonprofit organizations
When you consider donating to local nonprofits, gifts of money, time, or products related to the organization’s mission often come to mind first. However, for many organizations, basic operating tools and resources can be difficult to source or fund. Technology is often critical for an organization to run efficiently, and local biotech consulting firm, DRACO,…
Read MoreZeal facility reopens, debuts new partnership with NAI
Zeal has long provided a physical space for connection and collaboration within the startup community—a role that required some shifting after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sioux Falls. In order to serve the many tenants who rely on a physical workspace, the facility never closed down completely. However, restrictions and safety measures were…
Read MoreFalls Fintech team counts first cohort a success despite COVID-19 challenges
On Friday, May 29, the first cohort of the Falls Fintech accelerator program graduated virtually after ten weeks of intensive, remote programming. Nikkee Rhody, co-founder and managing director for Falls Fintech, says the inaugural cohort faced unprecedented challenges in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. The accelerator kicked off with a welcome reception in Sioux…
Read MoreThrough the ups and downs, First National Bank stands with businesses of all sizes
First National Bank Wealth Management is a premier sponsor of Startup Sioux Falls. As the city’s oldest financial institution, The First National Bank in Sioux Falls (FNBSF) has weathered numerous storms but never wavered as a reliable and trustworthy partner for its clients. Founded in 1885, FNBSF has maintained its commitment to being the principal,…
Read MoreSouth Dakota Change Network equips community members to make an impact
Founded on the principles of inclusion, diversity and equity, a year-long program in both North and South Dakota helps people pursue change in their communities by taking a hard look at how they communicate and the unconscious biases they may be harboring. Change Network is a program developed by National Arts Strategies and funded by…
Read MoreSDMTS works with local manufacturers to create safe, efficient practices during Covid-19
Businesses of all sizes and across industries have had to make changes in response to Covid-19. Manufacturers, many of which have been deemed essential, face their own set of stressors and challenges when it comes to these adaptations. South Dakota Manufacturing & Technology Solutions (SDMTS) exists to support manufacturers across the state, and of course,…
Read MoreSBA launches second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding
When the Small Business Administration (SBA) launched the first round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding—made possible by CARES Act legislation—South Dakotans received 11,400 loans totaling $1.6 billion. Across the country, the $349 billion in PPP funding dried up in less than two weeks. As the second wave of funding became available on Monday, April 27, SBA District…
Read MoreVirtual New & Aspiring Entrepreneurs Meetup brings ‘wantrepreneurs’ together during uncertain times
After the success of the first virtual Startup Social, Zeal’s new community manager, Peter Hauck, posed the idea for a New & Aspiring Entrepreneurs Meetup—an event focused on the dreamers, fresh businesses, and ‘wantrepreneurs,’ as Hauck put it. The event, which took place via Zoom on Tuesday afternoon, attracted over 30 participants to listen to…
Read MoreLocal entrepreneur, Walter Portz, prepares to launch online tool that will ease the burdens of loss
Walter Portz remembers the exact day he broke down over the death of his mother, Helen. But it wasn’t the day she died. In April 2018, a year after Helen had passed, Portz received her tax documents in the mail. He’d been getting her forwarded mail for a year now—countless catalogues, coupons, and other postage…
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