Start Bismarck, an entity much like Emerging Prairie that serves to boost the startup community in Bismarck, announced this morning that they’re taking large strides forward this year, including hiring their first employee and launching a coworking space.

Start Bismarck hires first full-time employee

Firstly, they are now an established 501c3 nonprofit organization with a board of directors, and have just hired their first full-time employee. Hannah Haynes, a ’15 University of Mary graduate, will start in early August as the first full time Startup Community Director of Start Bismarck, and will lead the organization in expanding their mission.

“I am so passionate about the Bismarck community,” she said. “I want to help make an impact and make Bismarck a destination and get the young people involved with the community.”

Haynes said from a young age she knew she wanted to be a part of a startup, having always been drawn to the invigorating process  “starting something new.”

“In the end it’s about being apart of something that’s going to make a difference,” she said.

Start Bismarck plans to launch coworking space

That’s right. The second big announcement is that Start Bismarck is currently pursuing the launch of a coworking space. All the cool kids are doing it. They have already found a space, according to Haynes, and plan to open this Fall.

“The co-working space will be my main project for the first year,” Haynes said. “Finding a space is key and we were lucky enough to find a potential space right away. We are really focused on fostering the downtown area and keeping the space downtown is essential. Finding sponsors to help fund is the step we are taking now and really then it’s just getting the word out that the space exists.”

Yes. The Prairie Den is pleased.

Major fundraising campaign in action

In order to ensure these new efforts move forward smoothly, Start Bismarck is also launching a large fundraising campaign.

According to an e-mail from Start Bismarck, this campaign “will help establish Haynes’ role, maintain the the momentum of Start Bismarck events like 1 Million Cups, Startup Weekend, and Startup Drinks and establish a coworking space in our community.”

Start Bismarck is seeking up to 5 financial launch partners. For more information on the fundraising efforts, reach out to Hannah Haynes (hannah@startbismarck.com).

Garrett Moon and Justin Walsh founded Start Bismarck a little over a year ago, as a side project in addition to their startups Todaymade/CoSchedule. Their mission for the project was to create a city that is attractive for their employees and home to a vibrant startup community. They do so through promoting startup activities, organizing key events, and encouraging risk taking within the community.

Now with Haynes dedicated full-time to this project, the team hopes to further engage the Bismarck community and promote startup activity.

“I would love to see Bismarck become a lively city for all ages,” Haynes said. “A city that welcomes the arts and people want to stay or come in to this community. I plan to greatly involve the youth and get them excited about their community.”

Congrats, Bismarck friends. Exciting news for your city and for the state of North Dakota!

Photos courtesy of Start Bismarck.