Robin Niewenhaus

Success Stories

The Northern Innovation and Startup Center is here to celebrate the successes of our entrepreneurs and embrace a fail-forward mentality, fostering a supportive and collaborative community.

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 12/12/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 12/12/25

Robin Niewenhaus

Owner of frodo

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 11/12/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 11/12/25

Dr. Samantha St. Clair

Founder of Sunrise Greens

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 10/30/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 10/30/25

Samantha Wipf

Founder of Optimal Performance

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 10/14/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 10/14/25

Jonah Schmidt

Founder of TopDown Drone Services

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 10/2/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 10/2/25

Ashlyn Lee Dinger

Founder of Ashlyn Lee Photography

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 9/12/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 9/12/25

Marc & Kim Runnels

Founders of Pop's Bayou Mama's

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 9/5/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 9/5/25

Mike Bockorny

Founder and Owner of Novel Ideas, CEO of EDPA and many more

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 8/12/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 8/12/25

Lonnie Frost

Founder of The Circus Sports Bar and Grill and the Circus Wing Sauce

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 8/1/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 8/1/25

Terry & Kathryn Larson

Owners of Hitch’n Post

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/22/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/22/25

Christine Keller

Founder and Owner of Sweat Zone

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/15/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/15/25

Lee & Sandy Klitzke

Lee and Sandy Klitzke

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/15/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/15/25

Morgan Holler

Founder and Owner of My AgReport

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/10/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/10/25

Travis Schaunaman

Founder of Production Monkey and mayor of Aberdeen

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/4/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/4/25

Caleb Hubert

Founder and owner of Caleb’s Aquatics, Head to Tails, and Caleb’s Cleaning.

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/4/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 4/4/25

Kelly Weaver

Regional Director of the Small Business Development Corporation.

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 3/21/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 3/21/25

Diana Haile

Founder of Y.U.T.H and third place winner of the South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 3/17/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 3/17/25

Kristin Harms

Creator of @thebasicranchmom

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 3/4/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 3/4/25

Jenny Menzel

Co-owner of the Wisdom of the Century Project.

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 2/6/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 2/6/25

Tara and Josh Heitmann

Owners of Beyond the Balloon

Northern Innovation & Startup Center 1/31/25 Northern Innovation & Startup Center 1/31/25

Kelly Melius

Owner of Common Sense Manufacturing