A group of students at South Dakota Mines is working
alongside staff, faculty and community members to host the Techstars
Startup Weekend Rapid City on March 24-26 inside the Devereaux Library
Makerspace on the Mines campus and at Elevate’s
David Lust Accelerator Building (DLAB) on Main Street.
Startup weekends were successful annual events in
Rapid City before the pandemic. John Barbour, a Mines student, attended two
previous startup events and has since launched his own successful company,
CounSil,
LLC, now located in the DLAB. The business helps meet software needs for the
Department of Defense thanks to support from the National
Security Innovation Network.
Barbour says past startup weekend events were
instrumental in his own current success, and he wants to see entrepreneurship
expand in Rapid City.
“One of the big reasons I’m motivated to do this is
that a lot of people think they don’t have a good idea that is worthy of a new
business. Startup weekend changes your mindset. It helps you take a look at
solving problems first and then starting a business with that solution,” says
Barbour, a chemical engineering major at Mines and the president of the
Innovation Club on campus.
Organizers say business ideas are welcome on any
topic. “Some people come with an idea to pitch and many of the business ideas
are created on the spot,” says Joseph Wright, associate vice president for research
and economic development on the Mines campus.
The weekend, beginning on Friday afternoon and
running through Sunday evening, is comprised of brainstorming and ideation
sessions, group business planning sessions, pitching, judging and awards. “It’s
the entire gamut of business creation, all in 54 hours,” says Wright. All ages
are welcome, including high school students who have done well in the
competition in the past.
Mines student Adan Rodriguez is helping to organize
the event and will attend for the first time. He is excited to learn more about
entrepreneurship.
“I don’t have a lot of general experience with
business creation, so I am looking forward to taking part in this to build my
skillset,” says Rodriguez, a mechanical engineering major and member of the Innovation
Club on campus.
Winners for the weekend get in-kind services from
local businesses that can help assist startup creation including local
law-firms, accounting firms, Elevate Rapid City and others. “This helps anyone
who is serious about starting a business make those next steps to see their
idea come to life,” says Wright.
There is a $25 registration fee for students and a $50
fee for all community members. The registration charge helps off-set costs for
meals and other expenses throughout the weekend. “We bring in food from our favorite local
restaurants. Many think the food is the best part,” says Barbour.
Those interested in taking part in the event can register here.