August was a month of transition, a lot of growth, and celebration.

There was a lot of transition here at Emerging Prairie, as we said goodbye to old team members and welcomed new ones, as well as announced our decision to become a non-profit organization. It was a transition for the Prairie Den, as it continues to develop into a thriving downtown hub for coworking and events.

There’s a transition in the city, too. Students are back for school, the brisk chill of autumn is in the air (despite the current mugginess), and – regretfully – the sense of summer is beginning to fade.

But while the summer days come to an end, the momentum of startup activity in this city and the region continues to be as strong as ever.

Local Innovators

Innovative ideas continue to be developed here in Fargo. This month we featured an autonomous tractor, the first of its kind; an app that uses iBeacon tech to connect you with everyone around you; biodegradable 3D printing filament made using coffee grounds; and an app that could revolutionize youth fundraising.

Shared Wisdom

Local experts also contributed to our content more than ever this month. Jackson Ridl held a successful Kickstarter for the Enchanted Highway, and shared his 5 pro tips that he learned from the experience in crowdfunding. Botlink’s marketing guru Al Winmill shared his marketing tips for startups as well. Darren Leno, an expert in privacy and encryption, shared his tips on practicing “digital hygiene.” Sam Jacobs, our favorite accountant, shared how he keeps e-mail from taking his over his life.

The Ripple Effect

It’s becoming more clear than ever that what happens here is creating ripples across the country and the world. In light of the oil boom, and recently with the growing UAS industry, more eyes are on North Dakota than ever before. On National Startup Day, Congressman Cramer came to speak with local entrepreneurs about how we can utilize this spotlight. He was amazed by the level of innovation happening in the startup community here.

The next week at the State of Technology, local entrepreneurs wowed again with the work they are doing: from creating the most affordable 3D printed prosthetic arm on the market, to coffee cups made of coffee. The speakers spoke of the need for North Dakota to work together, to collaborate rather than compete.

The icing on the cake? North Dakota was ranked in the top 5 states for highest startup activity by the 2015 Kauffman Index. Rock on.

Ce-le-brate good times, come on.

This was also a month of celebration. Early this month, we celebrated the White House Demo Day, where a group of NDSU students from the University Innovation Fellows were asked to attend, and Brookings, SD, was selected as a winner in the 2015 Startup in a Day – Start Small Model competition.

We celebrated Emerging Prairie co-founder and Executive Director Greg Tehven, when he who won the IT Champion Award at the State of Technology this year.

Today, we’re celebrating the winners of Tech.Co’s Startup of the Year semifinalists, Botlink and Sky Blue Technology! In perhaps one of the greatest moments of the month, John Machacek announced these winners at 1 Million Cups while “shaking his moneymaker” in an Elvis suit. (Those are his own words.)

Man, we have such a cool community. We’re looking forward to all that awaits in September. Let’s keep this up.