September 8 @ 8:00 am - September 19 @ 5:00 pm CST
This multi-week event series will be hosted across the great plains region, featuring different workshops, networking opportunities, and discussions aimed at fostering innovation in our communities. Most events are free and most will offer both in-person or online attendance options.
Wednesday, August 27
8:00 am – 9:30 am CT
StartupBREW Fargo is a weekly meetup for entrepreneurs, creatives, and community members to connect and explore the entrepreneurial journey. Two I-Corps alumni, Kristin Di Bona of Wyonics and Chad Ulven of Dark Horse Technologies, will take the StartupBREW Fargo stage to share how customer discovery shaped their entrepreneurial journeys and why it’s such a critical part of building a successful venture.
Thursday, August 28
8:00 am – 9:30 am CT
Beyond the Lab is a skills-driven introduction to the NSF I-Corps program, hosted by the University of Montana, designed to help participants identify new opportunities and apply scientific innovation to real-world challenges. The workshop fosters a collaborative STEM community, provides professional development, and delivers a practical foundation in the Lean Startup methodology.
Tuesday, September 2
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm MT
Wednesday, September 3
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm MT
Join the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) for an open house during Innovation Week!
Learn how the University of Wyoming team supports researchers in turning discoveries into real-world impact through patenting, commercialization, startup creation, and more.
We’ll be honoring UW inventors with the presentation of patent medallions to celebrate this year’s issued patents. Stop by to congratulate your colleagues and discover how you can take the next step in your own use-inspired research journey.
The event will also feature programming for the NSF ART (Accelerating Research Translation) Ambassadors. Learn how to apply for this prestigious program, which offers professional development, community engagement, and travel grant opportunities to support translational research.
Location: Room 207, Bureau of Mines | University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
Monday, September 8
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CT
Join us as we kick off the 2025 Great Plains I-Corps Innovation Week with a online webinar highlighting past participants of I-Corps and the impact the program had on their entrepreneurial journey. Find out how these I-Corps alumni used the customer discovery process to refine their business hypothesis.
Register: https://ndsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/JjGobSSAR7-nZcvGox_PzA#/registration
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm MT
The Career Services at South Dakota Mines is hosting a series of professional development workshops. Join them in person at the Devereaux Library Makerspace for a workshop on how to master your interview with industry experts.
Location: Devereaux Library Makerspace, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD
Tuesday, September 9
11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT
Wichita State University became an official NSF Great Plains I-Corps partner in 2025. In preparation for the launch of their first I-Corps cohort, they will be tabling on their campus to spread awareness about the offerings available to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Location: Rhatigan Student Center
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm CT
Join the Great Plains I-Corps Hub on Tuesday, September 09 from 1pm – 3pm for an afternoon social and tours of some of NDSU’s state-of-the-art research facilities! Gather and socialize with your peers outside of the NDSU Incubator, and pick between three different tours happening in R2’s Clean Rooms, the Electron Microscopy Core, and the Innovation Studio in the incubator!
NDSU Clean Rooms in Research 2:
The NDSU clean room suite is specifically designed for research and testing in electronics manufacturing. It is 12,000 square feet and is broken into two rooms. Clean rooms are essential in this field as they prevent contamination, maintain product quality and provide a controlled environment that ensures consistent and reliable electronics production. Even the smallest dust particles or other contaminants can interfere with the delicate electronic component manufacturing processes.
NDSU Electron Microscopy Core:
The NDSU Electron Microscopy Core (EMC) houses nearly $5 million of instrumentation for shared use in their 35002-foot facility. With various types of electron microscope and an X-ray microCT system for external and internal inspection of intact objects, they provide support for project design, sample preparation, instrument operation for imaging and analysis, and publication/presentation assistance. Each year, the core serves over 100 NDSU researchers representing 20 departments across four colleges, in addition to external organizations including other universities as well as private industry and government agencies.
NDSU Innovation Studio:
The NDSU Innovation Studio’s 8,000 square foot facility is home to brand new, professional equipment for Metalworking, Woodworking, Digital Fabrication, Textiles, and related disciplines. Whether you are a student, researcher, entrepreneur or tinkerer, they have the equipment and knowledge base to help you take your idea to the next level.
Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4DABAF23A4F85-58051231-icorps#/
Wednesday, September 10
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CT
This webinar hosted by the University of South Dakota will cover different pathways and visa options for international students wanting to pursue entrepreneurship in the U.S. Sophie Alcorn, Founder & CEO of Alcorn Law will be presenting.
Register: https://usd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BLm7ERykR-GRC5gptkgngQ#/
10:00 am – 12:30 pm CT
A Lunch & Learn event prior to Autonomous Nation 2025. Presented by TÜV Rheinland; In collaboration with Grand Farm & the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
This exclusive event brings together industry leaders to explore the latest challenges and solutions in cybersecurity across the equipment and agtech sectors. Gain expert perspectives, connect with professionals driving innovation, and walk away with practical strategies to help secure the future of autonomous technologies.
The NSF Great Plains I-Corps Hub is a sponsor of Automous Nation 2025 and will be tabling during the conference.
Register:https://go.tuv.com/cybersecurity-lunch-learn-grand-farm
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm CT
The University of North Dakota’s Center for Innovation invites you to discover how to turn your innovative idea into a compelling grant proposal in this interactive session on America’s Seed Fund, powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Learn how to craft an effective Project Pitch—the crucial first step toward securing up to $2 million in non-dilutive funding for your startup. This session will guide you through defining a significant problem, presenting a unique solution, and highlighting the potential impact of your innovation. Come prepared to share your idea, receive practical insights, and gain the confidence to take your innovation to the next level.
Register: https://und.zoom.us/meeting/register/k8OCpGqrTSSJNKlBi1EcBA#/
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm CT
Career Services at South Dakota Mines is hosting a series of professional development workshops. Join them in person at the Devereaux Library Makerspace for a guide on how to maximize your time spent at a career fair.
Location: Devereaux Library Makerspace, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD
Thursday, September 11
8:00 am – 2:00 pm CT
Autonomous Nation 2025 brings together global leaders in autonomy to explore the latest advances in autonomous systems, with a special focus on agricultural applications. The event serves as a platform to showcase new technologies, foster collaboration between public and private sectors, and support the transition from research to real-world use.
The conference focuses on some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture, including workforce shortages, technology gaps, and policy barriers. Through live demonstrations, interactive sessions, and focused networking, attendees will connect with peers and experts who are actively working to advance autonomous solutions across industries.
The NSF Great Plains I-Corps Hub is a sponsor of Automous Nation 2025 and will be tabling during the conference.
Register: https://grandfarm.com/autonomous-nation/
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CT
This info session will explore the role of customer discovery in reducing risk and propelling your research towards commercial success. Gain practical insights and strategies to understand the ecosystem surrounding your research as you move from the lab to the market.
Register: https://ndsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/B1VgwShETCSNvpl9UMPp7w#/registration
N/A
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_DZwH3ZSKo&ab_channel=UMTBlackstoneLaunchPad
Friday, September 12
11:00 am – 1:00 pm CT
The University of North Dakota’s Center for Innovation is bringing together students, faculty, staff, and community partners to connect around impactful work, explore bold ideas, and expand professional networks, all while enjoying good food and summer activities.
Register: https://forms.monday.com/forms/799b716f1c370b5397fd31779cb744ee?r=use1
Location: CFI Lawn, 4200 James Ray Dr, Grand Forks ND 58202
Monday, September 15
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm MT
Engineers Make Great Entrepreneurs (EMGE) is a speaker series and scholarship competition for South Dakota Mines students interested in entrepreneurship and starting their own business. This four-week program features presentations from successful entrepreneurs, including alumni and local and national business leaders. Main themes apply to success in college, careers, and life.
EMGE is designed to engage students with exciting content and features new venue locations, new speakers, complementary meals, and the opportunity to learn from real-world entrepreneurs and business leaders each week.
Scholarship Prizes – Top Award of $1,000
Location: 500 Turbine Dr. Rapid City, SD 57703
Tuesday, September 16
11:00 am – 12:00 pm MT
Embedding the Entrepreneurial Mindset: MSOE’s Ongoing Journey with KEEN.
MSOE’s KEEN Leader will share a compelling story of how the Entrepreneurial Mindset (EM) has become ingrained in the MSOE culture and how the institution has leveraged KEEN to advance its mission. What began in 2018 remains dynamic and evolving today, offering valuable perspectives on how durable, meaningful change happens in academia. Dr.DeAnna Leitzke will illuminate the path, detailing lessons learned along the way. Topics will include institutional assessment, curricular integration, course innovation, and student programming.
Location: Civil / Mechanical Engineering Building, Room 266. 451 Technology Ct, Rapid City, SD 57701
4:30 om – 6:00 pm MT
Join us for business plan training and creating a value proposition.
The South Dakota Mines Competitive Entrepreneurial Opportunity (CEO) Program is a comprehensive, semester-long program that immerses students in learning to draft a business plan and culminates in a pitch competition for cash prizes. The CEO Program is the perfect starting point for students who are interested in entrepreneurship.
This unique program features workshops on opportunity identification, introduces students to business concepts and project financials, and works through the development of a standard business plan. Students from the CEO Program have gone on to win several state and national business plan competitions in addition to securing other forms of funding and recognition including the SD Governor’s Giant Vision Business Plan Competition.
Wednesday, September 17
9:00 am – 12:00 pm CT
The University of Nebraska Omaha’s Future of Work Symposium is a series of conversations about how work, the workforce, and the workplace are changing. This year’s theme explores how workers across industries are designing careers that align with their skills, values, and ambitions—whether through freelancing, gig work, corporate innovation, or self-employment.
The breakout session, From Lab to Launch: How Ideas Become Ventures and the Role of Universities, will be facilitated by Dr. Brent Clark, Scott Henderson, and Tyler Scherr from 11:00 am – 12:05 pm.
Register: https://forms.monday.com/forms/1ef7cefb79b7414af6c3870f1df1dd20?r=use1
Location: Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC)
Thursday, September 18
12:30 pm – 7:00 pm CT
Join us for an inspiring afternoon of big ideas, bold stories, and practical insights from innovators who are shaping the future of business. You’ll hear from a dynamic lineup of speakers—including tech founders, digital entrepreneurs, and community leaders—sharing real-world experiences, growth strategies, and lessons learned on their journey.
The event will also feature the Spirit of Enterprise Award, a break to network and recharge, and culminate in Startup Sioux Falls’ Pitch Night—where four local startups will take the stage to showcase their traction and vision. Stick around afterward for a social with appetizers and drinks to connect with fellow attendees.
Register: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/innovationandpitchnight2025
Location: The District, 4521 W. Empire Place
Sioux Falls, SD, 57106
4:30 om – 6:00 pm MT
Join us for business plan training and creating a value proposition.
The South Dakota Mines Competitive Entrepreneurial Opportunity (CEO) Program is a comprehensive, semester-long program that immerses students in learning to draft a business plan and culminates in a pitch competition for cash prizes. The CEO Program is the perfect starting point for students who are interested in entrepreneurship.
This unique program features workshops on opportunity identification, introduces students to business concepts and project financials, and works through the development of a standard business plan. Students from the CEO Program have gone on to win several state and national business plan competitions in addition to securing other forms of funding and recognition including the SD Governor’s Giant Vision Business Plan Competition.