SIOUX FALLS, S.D. • Startup Sioux Falls said it will be moving into the historic Milwaukee Freight Depot at 100 East 6th Street in downtown Sioux Falls. Formerly, the space was occupied by the Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation Department.
The mission of Startup Sioux Falls, formerly the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship, is to help people start businesses in the Sioux Falls region. In the next year, it intends to move from its current location to the approximately 5,500 square-foot historic depot, completing the transformation from an incubation facility to an ecosystem organization.
“We look to continue the depot building’s historic legacy as a center for business and economic development in the Sioux Falls community,” Startup Sioux Falls Executive Director Brienne Maner said in a statement when making the announcement on Wednesday, Jan. 12. “Our space will provide an environment for entrepreneurs to network, start, and grow businesses for the betterment of themselves, their families, and the Sioux Falls region.”
The announcement comes following formal city council approval on Jan. 11, as the building will be leased as part of an agreement with the city of Sioux Falls.
“Our efforts to establish a startup footprint downtown have been ongoing for a while, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see Startup Sioux Falls begin this next chapter,” said Mayor Paul TenHaken.
“This is a natural fit for the organization to continue leading the charge in growing and supporting our startup community. With the momentum we are seeing in both the entrepreneurial community and downtown, and with the right leadership and vision in place, this formula has tremendous potential for our startup community.”
Startup Sioux Falls has cemented its role over the past two decades as a central resource for founders in the Sioux Falls metro area. It offers resources for entrepreneurs including a mentorship network, wayfinding and resource navigation, the CO.STARTERS business accelerator program, and educational and networking events.
The organization was recently selected as one of 51 awardees out of more than 700 applicants nationwide to expand support and resources for underserved entrepreneurs utilizing grant funding through the SBA Community Navigators Pilot Program.
“Startup Sioux Falls’ move downtown is an important and exciting milestone for the community’s startup ecosystem,” said Matt Paulson, who founded Startup Sioux Falls as a startup community organization in 2019. “It completes Zeal’s transition from being a traditional business incubation facility to becoming a true startup ecosystem organization.
“The move will free up resources and create a platform that will enable Sioux Falls to launch future startup initiatives, such as a code school and a later-stage startup accelerator. Most importantly, it allows Startup Sioux Falls to meet entrepreneurs where they are at and provide them services regardless of their business stage or their physical location.”
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