South Dakota Biotech Association

06/10/2026

🚀 Calling all innovators, researchers, startups, and bioindustry leaders!

The Industrial Biotech Innovation Challenge is seeking breakthrough solutions that can move bioindustrial technologies from the lab to real-world deployment. From scalable biomanufacturing and synthetic biology to sustainable feedstocks and industrial integration, this challenge is designed to accelerate technologies that strengthen the U.S. bioeconomy.

Selected finalists will pitch their innovations to investors, industry leaders, and government stakeholders and compete for $50,000 in non-dilutive prize funding.

If your organization is working on technologies that improve the cost, scalability, or deployment of bioindustrial production, we encourage you to apply.

🔗 Learn more and apply:
https://events.techconnect.org/DTCFall/Bioeconomy-Summit/innovation/Industrial-Biotech-Innovation-Challenge.html

06/09/2026

Last chance to register for the STEMconnector webinar: The Math Bottleneck: Addressing a Key Barrier to Meeting our Nation’s STEM Talent Needs

The United States faces a growing STEM talent shortage driven in part by inadequate math preparation, limiting workforce readiness, innovation, and economic growth. Key challenges occur at three critical points in the education pipeline: middle and high school readiness, developmental math in community colleges, and calculus completion. These barriers disproportionately affect under-resourced populations and contribute to persistent workforce gaps.

This webinar will bring together leaders from the University of Texas Dana Center's Launch Years Initiative, STEM employers, policymakers, and educators to explore solutions and build partnerships that strengthen the math-to-STEM pipeline ahead of the projected surge in demand for mathematically skilled professionals by 2031.

Register today for the June 11 webinar:

One of the leading factors contributing to the United States facing a critical STEM talent shortage is the insufficient mathematics preparation and resulting lack of competencies required for both technical and professional workforce pathways, which is fundamentally limiting the nation's capacity fo...

06/09/2026

🚀 Calling all innovators, researchers, startups, and bioindustry leaders!

The Industrial Biotech Innovation Challenge is seeking breakthrough solutions that can move bioindustrial technologies from the lab to real-world deployment. From scalable biomanufacturing and synthetic biology to sustainable feedstocks and industrial integration, this challenge is designed to accelerate technologies that strengthen the U.S. bioeconomy.

Selected finalists will pitch their innovations to investors, industry leaders, and government stakeholders and compete for $50,000 in non-dilutive prize funding.

If your organization is working on technologies that improve the cost, scalability, or deployment of bioindustrial production, we encourage you to apply.

🔗 Learn more and apply: link in bio

06/04/2026

Yesterday morning, South Dakota Biotech had the pleasure of gathering with entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem partners at Startup Sioux Falls for their Biotech Builders event.

Events like this are a reminder that biotech growth does not happen in isolation. It takes founders, researchers, investors, service providers, educators, economic developers, and community partners working together to turn ideas into impact.
We are especially grateful to our members and ecosystem partners who showed up, shared their perspectives, and continue helping build momentum for South Dakota’s bioscience sector. Your collaboration strengthens the connections that help companies grow, talent stay engaged, and innovation move forward.

Thank you to Startup Sioux Falls for hosting and USD Discovery District for moderating and being such an important part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region.

We’re excited to keep building together.

06/02/2026

🗳️ It’s Election Day in South Dakota
Today is our opportunity to shape the future of our communities. If you haven’t voted yet, polls are open and ready for you.

Whether you need to confirm your polling location, check your registration, or review your sample ballot, the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Voter Information Portal has everything you need: https://www.sdsos.gov/

Make a plan, take a friend, and make your voice heard. Every vote strengthens our democracy and our local communities.

05/20/2026

The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is excited to offer Your Future STEM Summer Day Camps for middle school students to explore STEM-related careers through education and exploration on the campus of Augustana University (SD).

AGES: Students entering grades 6–8 in fall 2026
TIME: 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
LOCATION: University Welcome Center, Augustana University
COST: Free (space is limited)
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided

During registration, select one track, which will determine your child's group and the industry focus of their final camp activity - students are only able to participate in one track:

Construction | Engineering | Healthcare | Energy | Cyber

June 10 Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/your-future-stem-summer-day-camp-for-grades-6-8-wednesday-june-10-tickets-1983890843919?aff=SFDFEmail

June 11 Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/your-future-stem-summer-day-camp-for-grades-6-8-thursday-june-11-tickets-1986091950488?aff=SFDFEmail

At Your Future STEM Summer Day Camp, middle school students will explore STEM-related careers through education and exploration.

05/20/2026

In partnership with Verizon™, STEM Next has launched a new set of online Learning Journeys to help afterschool educators more easily implement relevant, high-quality STEM learning in their programs.

Afterschool programs that choose to complete the Learning Journey focused on nature and sustainability may also be eligible for a stipend of up to $1,500.

Programs that complete the five-lesson Nature & Sustainability Learning Journey will be eligible for a stipend of $500 to $1,500 based on the number of young people engaged.

Learn more at link.

Last chance! The Verizon STEM Learning Journeys Summer STEM Stipend Opportunity closes May 31, 2026.

Eligible programs can earn up to $1,500 for implementing the Nature & Sustainability Learning Journey with youth.

If you’ve already started, be sure to complete all lessons and submit your final form by May 31. If you haven’t started yet, there’s still time to participate.

If you have already completed your final submission, your stipend has already been accounted for and no additional action is needed at this time.

Get started: https://stemnext.org/verizon-learning-journeys-2026/

05/19/2026

Startup Sioux Falls Startup Sunrise returns June 3 with a focus on biotech builders, featuring SD Biotech Members Ryan Oines of USD Discovery District, Eddie Aamold of Inanovate Inc., and Pei Yen of New Heritage Ag.

Join Startup Sioux Falls for coffee, networking, stories, and insights as we explore innovation in biotech and life sciences.

Register: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/startup-sunrise-biotech-builders?mptk=314d8c6747fa718b90ed80f6339c539d8d9b1d8d31405bb19ca80bec13b610c46ee287eb818952526a5581fed075d05b_91969a602e40fe8f8575f6b97af6766d

05/18/2026

Today Is the Final Day to Register to Vote in South Dakota

Your voice matters in every election, and today is the last day to make sure it’s counted. If you haven’t registered—or if you’re unsure whether your information is up to date—now is the time to check.

You can confirm your registration status or get the forms you need through the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Voter Information Portal: https://www.sdsos.gov/

Take a moment today to ensure you’re ready for Election Day. Civic participation strengthens our communities, and every vote truly does make a difference.