Innovation Market set, Dusty Davidson is keynote speaker

The Sioux City Growth Organization, a young professionals group, recently announced its 2013 Innovation Market, including its keynote speaker, Dusty Davidson, a co-founder of Silicon Prairie News, among other startups.

The event, scheduled for Feb. 26, is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in Sioux City. This is the third year the organization has hosted the event, which attracts dozens of entrepreneurs and creative thinkers to pitch an idea to the public for a chance at winning a $5,000 award and advice from some of the region’s top business leaders.

Last year’s winner was Paul Seaman, who owns Sproutstream.

The event calls on anyone under 40 (the age restriction was added this year) with an idea to draw up a 3- to 5-page business plan outlining their idea. Attendees at the social event vote on the best ideas, and the top vote-getters move on to a pitch at a later date with the Sioux City GO committee, who chooses the winner.

Ideas pitched at the 2012 event included a yoga studio, entertainment apps, and a social media company.

Innovation Market committee member Becca Feauto said the board really wanted to land a top-level speaker this year as the city of Sioux City promotes entrepreneurship in a big way.

“We are thrilled that [Davidson] is able to come and visit us in Sioux City and we want to sort of utilize him as a resource to forward our entrepreneurial push here,” Feauto said.

The evening event is Feb. 26, and is free and open to the public. Drinks and light food are served.

The one caveat, you’ll have to vote on your favorite ideas.