South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry Letter

Dear Student Participant:

Are you sitting on the next big thing?  Want a safe place to explore the idea’s potential with real business people and maybe win $5,000 to help make the idea a reality?  Well, you are looking in the right place.  Thanks for your interest in the 2012 Governor’s Giant Vision Student Competition.  Governor Dennis Daugaard and Citibank of Sioux Falls are sponsoring this competition with the hope of giving South Dakota student entrepreneurs a chance to achieve their dreams.

The Governor’s Giant Vision Student Competition will give you the opportunity to present your ideas, write a business plan and make a formal presentation.  A panel of business experts will review all entries and select eight qualifiers who will attend the final competition Tuesday, April 10, 2012 in Sioux Falls.  Qualifiers will give presentations and discuss their ideas with seasoned business and financial experts and other invitees. 

The winner will be awarded $5,000, with a second place prize being $3,000, third place $2,500 and fourth place $2,000..  The remaining qualifiers will receive $500 each .  Selection of winners will be based on a combination of the viability of the business proposal, including considerations of potential competition, likelihood of success, market size and profitability.  The information on this website will provide more guidance on the judging criteria.

Those entering the Governor's Giant Vision Student Competition will submit a written business plan outlining the business idea, potential markets, production requirements and other standard items.  There are no eligibility criteria for submitting a business plan and all South Dakotan college, university, and technical school students are encouraged to apply. 

The focus of this program is on the business plan or business model and is not limited to technology entries. 

While starting your own business may seem overwhelming, it can also be very rewarding.  We hope you will find the experience you gain by entering the Governor’s Student Business Competition to be as valuable as others have found it.

Dawn Morris, Owner
Morris, Inc., Fort Pierre
2011-2013 Chairman of the Board
South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry