In less than a month, Sioux Falls will be the gathering spot for the eighth annual Innovation Expo, taking place Wednesday, Nov. 2 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center.
The Expo, which is hosted by Enterprise Institute, a non-profit that provides business development and services to individuals and startup companies, brings together inventors, researchers and entrepreneurs who are growing technology and businesses in the region.
The Expo’s schedule is featuing some familiar names to Silicon Prairie News readers as well as some names you may have heard of but didn’t realize they had Prairie roots, like Jerry Lohr (below, photo from sdei.org). Lohr is founder and proprietor of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines and a graduate of South Dakota State University, will be featured as a keynote speaker. Ben Milne, CEO and co-founder of Des Moines-based Dwolla, will be the second keynote speaker. Milne will be fresh off of his appearance at Thinc Iowa.
Aside from the keynotes, the Expo will include a few breakout panels with some great entrepreneurs. If you’re interested in learning more about venture capital, Sioux Falls VC’s Mark Luecke (South Dakota Innovation Partners), Steve Kirby (Blue Stem Capital) and Paul Batcheller (Prairie Gold Ventures) will be on a “Ask The Investors” panel. If you’re looking to learn more about mobile apps check out “The Business of Mobile Apps” with Andy Peters (Ninth Division), Carla White (Happy Tapper) and TJ Bozied. Finally, catch our Silicon Prairie News editor Danny Schreiber, and my brother and I from 9 Clouds about a discussion of “Can Social Media Build Offline Communities?”
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In addition to these speakers and more, the Expo features an exhibit hall of entrepreneurs’ and vendors’ booths, as well as several educational sessions.
The Innovation Expo gives attendees the chance to get their ideas out while meeting with some of the best brains in technology and business in the area. Some main topics that will be covered at the Expo include: intellectual property, economic intelligence, financial analysis, business plan development and funding alternatives.
On the topic of funding alternatives, the Enterprise Institute is hosting its fifth annual Whatchamacallit Invention Contest during the Expo. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three idea elevator pitches.
Innovation Expo is a one-day conference that is is open to the public. Cost is $15 for the full conference and is free after lunch. To register, see a schedule of events and learn more about the invention contest, visit sdei.org.
Disclosure: John T. Meyer and 9 Clouds were asked by Enterprise Institute to help determine topics and speakers for the Innovation Expo.
