Growing new industries

Innovation

Forward Sioux Falls is dedicated to making Sioux Falls a place for all businesses to come. With access to knowledge and information from the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship, and places to grow like DSU’s Cyber park and the USD Discovery District, Sioux Falls is continuing to be a top destination for innovative entrepreneurs and businesses.

Cyber IT park

Forward Sioux Falls is partnering with Dakota State University, local tech companies and the City of Sioux Falls to fund and establish a Cyber/IT campus that brings in the top minds, companies, and students to develop a presence in the Cyber/IT industry.

The USD Discovery District

The USD Discovery District will create an innovation community bringing together research, education and business to capitalize on the region´s significant and growing medical and biotech capacity. When complete, the 80-acre Discovery District will consist of 26 buildings totaling 1.16 million sq. ft. of mixed-use private development with a construction value of $314 million.

This investment will show a return during the next program as infrastructure development will start in 2016.

Startup Sioux Falls

Forward Sioux Falls is fostering a culture of entrepreneurship through efforts of the Startup Sioux Falls, an incubation and entrepreneurship program that has helped create 728 jobs paying average annual salaries exceeding $69,000. Through programs like the Accelerator Challenge, which helped 26 companies launch during the current program, and support for events like Innovation Expo, entrepreneurs are able to make connections with their peers and potential investors.

The Forward Sioux Falls 2026 program will establish additional investment funds and programs to help dreamers turn their passion into business reality.