About
Investors in South Dakota represents a diverse ecosystem of venture capital firms, angel investors, and investment councils operating across the Northern Plains region. The landscape includes established players like Homegrown Capital, a venture capital firm founded in 2021 and based in Brookings that focuses on business-to-business software, agricultural technology, and fintech sectors. Badlands Capital operates as a private equity alternative within the state. Split Rock Partners, founded by David Stassen, Jim Simons, and Michael Gorman, stands as one of the most active investors in the region with headquarters in Minnesota and a track record of funding 105 startups. Bluestem Capital operates with an investment range of $500,000 to $3 million and maintains a network of 20 investors and 50+ mentors. The South Dakota Investment Council, established in 1971 and based in Sioux Falls, functions as a sovereign wealth fund managing the financial assets of the State of South Dakota. South Dakota Equity Partners, a venture capital firm with a portfolio spanning multiple sectors, has backed notable companies including Query.AI, a Brookings-based security operations technology company that raised $15 million in Series A funding. The investment community serves entrepreneurs across various sectors including technology, real estate development, medical ventures, IT, publishing, and communications. Geographic focus spans the state of South Dakota with particular concentration in cities like Sioux Falls, Brookings, and Pierre, though some funds maintain regional Northern Plains and international market exposure. The ecosystem provides both capital and mentorship support, with platforms like the Angel Investment Network facilitating connections between entrepreneurs and global investor networks.