Glacial Lakes Dakota Rising

Cultivating Entrepreneurs—Strengthening Businesses—Sustaining Communities

Fellowship Program

Interested in winning $10,000 for your business?  Then Glacial Lakes Dakota Rising could assist you in applying for the Fellowship Award Opportunity.  Through the program, eight entrepreneurs state-wide will be chosen to advance or improve their business.

 

Requirements of entrepreneurs:

        1.      Committed to growing their businesses, their community, and                 themselves personally.

        2.      Whose business is:

                *Located within the geographic boundary of Day, Marshall, Roberts Counties, & the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Lake Traverse Reservation.

                 *Beyond the start-up phase.

        3.      Can evidence significant impact as defined by one or more of                         the following:

                        *Job creation (number and/or quality)

                        *Financial growth (change in Balance Sheet or Profit &                         Loss)

                        *Spin off business creation/expansion

                        *Essential community product or service

        (Significant impact is considered in the context of the size of the pilot site.)

 

Program Perks

        *       $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. 

       

 

To apply

Interested business entrepreneurs can fill out the short Fellowship Application Intent to Apply online by at:   

             www.sdrei.org/dakotarising/apply.htm. 

After filling this out, site coordinators will visit your business and be a resource in writing a business and professional development plan.  This part of the application will then be sent on to the state level to be evaluated. 

 

 

 

Testimonials from Fellowship Winners

 

“Admittedly, the Dakota Rising Fellowship is somewhat abstract.  Other than the monetary award, the benefits of the fellowship are not immediately tangible, you can’t touch them or hold them, but they are definitely there.  One major benefit of the fellowship is it’s focus on growth; personally, professionally and for the business.  It is a chance to sit down in a safe environment, uninterrupted and unfiltered to have focused discussions on business, management, philosophies and even personal issues if they come into play.  There are different points of view, different personalities, and a broad range of experiences from which to draw.  I liken it to getting 8-10 business consultants for free.  It’s an opportunity to get outside of your “world,” clear your mind of the day to day issues and allow people who are not involved or invested to offer insight, problem solving, critique and fresh ideas.  It brings to mind the saying “can’t see the forest for the trees.”  Often times we are in the middle of the forest— we can clearly see every tree in front of us, and many trees off in the distance around us— but we have no idea how big the forest is.  This is a chance to share in the combined thought processes of other like-minded people to clear your head, change your perspective, and see the big picture—to see the forest as a whole.”

                                        -Paul D. Haugen, Powdertech

“The program was a great experience that brought together inspiring minds from different types of businesses to work together for the benefit of each other.  The training seminars really pushed us outside our normal comfort levels to become a more effective business leader.”

                                                -Kory Anderson, Anderson Industries