Launch Founder

12/17/2025

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟

Small businesses.
Big opportunities.

Find free courses, mentorship, networking and grants created just for small businesses.
Click here to learn more 👉 https://rebrand.ly/l0oa0nm~

07/28/2025

📣 Boost your team’s digital confidence with Northstar Digital Literacy!

We’re excited to share this great resource from GROW South Dakota: a no-cost, self-paced program designed to help individuals and teams sharpen essential tech skills. 💻 Whether you’re growing your business or just want to feel more confident navigating digital tools, Northstar is a great place to start.

🚀 Ready to elevate your business team's digital literacy skills? 🌐

In today's fast-paced digital world, being tech-savvy is essential! From mastering social media strategies to understanding Microsoft programs, let's boost those skills with our no-cost, self-paced program, Northstar!

Contact us to get signed up! 💻📊or go to https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/locations/grow-south-dakota/register-as-learner?next=/locations/grow-south-dakota

07/08/2025

Business Resource ✍️💡📣 Check out this FREE webinar taking place tomorrow, July 9, at 2:00 PM. See the post below for more details and a link to register online!

🎨 Ready to Level Up Your Canva Game?
Join us for a FREE Advanced Canva Class on Wednesday, July 9th at 2:00PM!
This session is perfect for anyone ready to go beyond the basics.

Learn how to:
✨ Edit photos like a pro
🎯 Add and manage your brand assets
🔧 Integrate helpful apps and tools
Whether you’re designing for your business, nonprofit, or side hustle, this class will help you create polished, professional content faster and easier.

📅 Save your spot for this virtual class!
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/kqjk6z7/lp/5b28de25-6921-4a06-a3a0-5a9f39539248

12/17/2024

Business Resource ✍️💡 Are you thinking about starting a business? Maybe you already started and just need a little guidance in mastering your business plan? Check out this FREE webinar!!

December is Business Plan month at Small Business Association (SBA)!! Join the Cleveland District SBA and Summit Medina Business Alliance (Akron SBDC) if you are thinking about starting a business, need a "how-to" guide for the business plan, or need to redirect your existing business.

This webinar takes place on Wednesday, December 18, from 9:00 - 10:30 AM CST. Register here to gain expertise in business planning: https://www.sba.gov/event/59178

11/26/2024

Business Resource for all Entrepreneurs! ✍️✨💵 There’s still time to take advantage of the GROW South Dakota Marketing Grant—up to $1,000 for marketing and advertising!

Here’s the deal: Complete just 10 hours of training on the Initiate platform by March 31, 2025, and you could qualify for funding to boost your small business. This grant covers print, radio, and online advertising, and the best part? You don’t have to pay it back.
Initiate is packed with resources to help new and seasoned business owners level up. Whether you’re learning the basics or sharpening your strategy, your 10 hours on this platform could change the game.

Get started by creating your Initiate account, choosing GROW SD as your organization, and selecting Rachael Cramond as your advisor. Once enrolled, you’ll have 24/7 access to all the tools you need to meet the requirement!

11/13/2024

Business Resource for Veteran Entrepreneurs! ✍️🤩 As part of National Veterans Small Business Week, the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development is hosting Certification Advantage for the Military Community — an essential online workshop for veterans and military community members looking to grow their businesses through federal certifications.

Discover how the new MySBA Certifications tool simplifies the process of applying for certifications like Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB,) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB,) Historically Underutilized Business Zones Program (HUBZone,) and more, giving your business a competitive edge in the world’s largest marketplace.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your business growth and navigate the certification process with ease!

📅 Register now and secure your spot for this online workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/certification-advantage-for-the-military-community-tickets-1036785040967?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawGhrN9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfrxAA5Jx2hqQbHHSy2B0FM_5dEBVr7lMswxdjy705v4VviDKMlFD2flfg_aem_zaO1-sYzqqS54VtwkmYaBw

Learn the ins and outs of the certification process and gain valuable insights to help you compete for government contracts.

11/05/2024

Last Friday’s NSF I-CORPS Pitch Event at the Research Park truly highlighted our mission at Launch Founder! 🤩 We’re here to help founders fast-track their journey from concept to business by connecting them with mentors, peers, and investors—just like those who filled the room on pitch day. With a team of successful founders and trusted advisors, we’re focused on giving honest feedback and meaningful connections to every idea presented. Congratulations to the faculty members who took the stage; your commitment to innovation is exactly why we love what we do!

11/04/2024

Business Resource ✍️✨ The SD CEO Women's Business Center is partnering with the Verizon Skill Forward Initiative to offer a fantastic opportunity for personal and professional growth. This FREE platform provides job-relevant courses from edX, helping you earn qualifications in tech and leadership skills from top universities!

📈 What’s in it for you? Courses available in both English and Spanish, covering key areas like technology and leadership to help you advance your career or transition into high-demand roles.

By signing up, you’re also supporting SD CEO East Women's Business Center & SD CEO West Women's Business Center ! 👍

💻 Register here today for this free, online platform!
https://partnerships.edx.org/verizon?&utm_source=vsf_v_sd-ceo-west

10/22/2024

Business Resource ✍️🧑‍💼SBDC offers great resources to folks who are just starting out or looking to grow their business. Check out this FREE Cybersecurity Training: Identifying Threats and Protection Strategies on Wednesday, November 6, 2024..

This training will teach you to recognize cybersecurity threats, learn about malware, understand how phishing attempts can steal personal information, and gain tips to keep your network safe. Abigail Bushee, DSU Senior, will be the trainer for this class.

This training is offered at no cost through the partnership of Dakota State University , GROW South Dakota, and the Small Business Development Center.

Register here today: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/mnt6ruk/lp/a9806a09-2756-4620-ab1d-f25f45719e1f?source_id=87cedda1-1208-43ca-a532-15bd0e329c84&source_type=em&c=bIAlBBdWhQCZsCI7qDnIdoNMseb573aUebBpTIdcMMU-9Ao1aeDyNQ==

Join us for Cybersecurity Training: Identifying Threats and Protection Strategies. This training will teach you to recognize cybersecurity threats, learn about malware, understand how phishing attempts can steal personal information, and gain tips to keep your network safe. Abigail Bushee, DSU Senio...

10/09/2024

Last week, the South Dakota State University Ness School of Management and Economics hosted the 2024 Emerging Entrepreneur in Residence & Student Startup Showcase. ✨ From tech startups to custom woodworking, SDSU students had the chance to display their ventures and gain further experience in engaging with customers.

The keynote speaker, Tommy Hopp, an SDSU alum and former football player, shared valuable insights on finding a niche, building partnerships, and learning from failure. Since co-founding FWD Construction in 2019, Hopp has grown his business through innovation and perseverance, showing students that entrepreneurship is a journey of constant refinement. 👷‍♂‍🔧🔨

The event emphasized the important skills and lessons SDSU students are gaining through their experiences in the Entrepreneurial Studies program. The Ness School continues to play a key role in empowering students to turn their ideas into successful businesses, driving future innovation and growth.