Entrepreneurial Resources

Here are resources within the tri-state for entrepreneurs.

SIOUX CITY

Downtown Partners: Assistance is available through Downtown Partners to owners within the district looking to improve the physical appearance of their storefronts thus enhancing the customer’s perception of their property and desire to do business downtown.

Siouxland Economic Development Corporation: SEDC was formed in 1979 to help businesses start up or expand in a ten-county area of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Siouxland Initiative: In 1988, local community and business leaders formed The Siouxland Initiative (TSI) to stimulate economic growth in the tri-state region. Three fund drives over the past ten years have raised nearly 9 million dollars from Siouxland communities and corporations to support the programs and staffing of TSI. The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce is responsible for administering the activities of the Initiative.

Small Business Development CenterReopened in August 2007, the SBDC center is located in Room A233 on the Western Iowa Tech Community College campus. The center is one of 16 regional business assistance centers statewide and serves small business needs in Cherokee, Crawford, Ida, Monona, Plymouth and Woodbury counties. Along with free one-on-one business counseling, the center offers other practical business services, including market research services and a variety of business education classes.

City of Sioux City: The City of Sioux City offers a full range of assistance to new business and new development.

SCORE: SCORE is a national non-profit, volunteer organization that helps grow small businesses across America, with the strategic goal of growing 1 million small businesses by 2017. The Sioux City Chapter of SCORE provides free mentoring and low-cost workshops to entrepreneurs who want help starting up or growing new small businesses. The web site also provides extensive resources related to all aspects of starting and growing a small business as well as mentoring new businesses.

Sioux City Innovation Market: Event aims to cultivate positive action in the community by connecting people as well as introducing like-minded leaders who are excited about growth and change for Sioux City.

Springboard Coworking: Springboard Coworking is a shared office space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, startups, small businesses and any form of career nomad, looking for a vibrant community and a space for collaboration. Combining the best elements of café culture with a productive, functional, and affordable work environment.

REGIONAL

Iowa Sourcelink:  State of Iowa provides many resources for Iowa startups.

South Dakota Technology and Business Center: Numerous resources for South Dakota businesses.

Nebraska Business Development Center:  Offering resources for Nebraska businesses.

Nebraska Global: Venture capital fund invests in viable, long-term software companies and seeks to build an influential technology environment in Nebraska.

Rural Enterprise Assistance Project: Service that strengthens rural communities by helping rural entrepreneurs with  essential business services.

Two Bridges Capital: Yankton-based angel investment group dedicated to South Dakota’s emerging growth entrepreneurs.

BLOGS AND MEDIA

Think29.com: News about tech, startups and entrepreneurship from Sioux City to the North Dakota border.

Silicon Prairie News: Interviews the region’s leading entrepreneurs and creatives, reports on startups and established companies and announces events in Des Moines, Omaha, Kansas City and beyond.