Emerging Prairie's Startup Program
Applications Open
Emerging Prairie's Startup Program is a six-week, in-person, entrepreneurial course for startups looking to grow. Training focuses heavily on primary market research, finding customers, interviewing potential customers, identifying potential revenue streams, and building out a three and six-month plan. Each cohort is led by an experienced facilitator.
Participants receive 1:1 mentoring with business professionals in the community, access to the vast Emerging Prairie network of supporters, speaking opportunities, and free entry into the Emerging Prairie events throughout the year.
Our 6-week, in-person courses are designed for those leading an early-stage startup. Companies may be pre-revenue, but we strongly recommend that applicants have a well-established idea for a business before applying. Any industry and business model is welcome, but applicants must be the founder or co-founder of the company.
The Emerging Prairie Startup cohorts are designed for underrepresented and underinvested founders to build a community with other founders of similar identity. All entrepreneurs know the struggle of starting up, and we work to connect these founders and creatives together to solve problems and create a colony of like-minded individuals supporting one another.
Where: Cohorts will meet in-person at the Prairie Den at 118 Broadway N in Fargo, ND. The final “celebration night” will be held Thursday, May 5 th (location TBD).
NOTE: All participants and facilitators will be required to show proof of a COVID vaccination. If you are unable or unwilling to show proof of vaccination then stay tuned for a virtual cohort later this year.
Cost: Free!
Program Requirements
Check below for a few of the requirements needed to participate in the program.
In order to maintain a productive and valuable program, there are a couple of requirements for applicants to be considered.
- You are the founder or co-founder of a venture in any vertical industry.
- You have 10 years or less of experience with their venture.
- Your venture has between $1-$999,999 in annual revenue.
- Must attend all in-person sessions and all mentor sessions.
- All participants and facilitators will be required to show proof of a COVID vaccination. If you are unable or unwilling to show proof of vaccination then stay tuned for a virtual cohort later this year.
Below is the process to apply for any of the programs.
- Review the eligibility criteria and time commitment listed.
- Use the link in the cohort's section to apply.
- Keep in mind the application deadline for each cohort.
- Applicants will receive notification of admittance shortly after the application.
For the program and the cohort to be successful, there are requirements for how much time we are asking applicants to dedicate to the program.
- 2 hours per week of structured in-person programing.
- 1 hour per week meeting 1:1 with your mentor (more on this in week one), either in-person or virtually.
- 10+ hours of implementing program tools inside your nonprofit or organization (i.e. refining financial models, apply strategies, etc.).
Black Startup Cohort
Our 2022 Black Startups Cohort is for founders who identify as Black or African American. This 6-week course will be facilitated by Ricky Pallay, an entrepreneur, a nonprofit programs manager, and 2021 Black Founders cohort participant. The Black Cohort will be held on Thursdays from 5-7 pm starting March 24th and ending April 28th. Cohorts will be held in-person at The Prairie Den in Fargo, ND.
NOTE: All participants and facilitators will be required to show proof of a COVID vaccination. If you are unable or unwilling to show proof of vaccination then stay tuned for a virtual cohort later this year.
Length: 6 Weeks
Applications Due: March 21st, 2022
Program Begins: March 24th, 2022
Ready to take the next step and join the program?
Women Startup Cohort
Our 2022 Women Startups Cohort is for founders who identify as women. This 6-week course will be facilitated by Laetitia Mizero Hellerud, an experienced entrepreneur, program leader, writer, and community activist. The Women Cohort will be held on Thursdays from 5-7 pm starting March 24th and ending May 5th (the cohort will be not meet on April 21st). Cohorts will be held in-person at The Prairie Den in Fargo, ND.
NOTE: All participants and facilitators will be required to show proof of a COVID vaccination. If you are unable or unwilling to show proof of vaccination then stay tuned for a virtual cohort later this year.
Length: 6 Weeks
Applications Due: March 18th, 2022
Program Begins: March 24th, 2022
Ready to take the next step and join the program?
