If you want a push to get that business started and you need a little seed capital, you will find both in an innovative program in South Dakota.  Yes, I did say South Dakota.  I realize that many people don't know that part of the country even exists- those of you who fly from one coast to the other without ever stopping in the middle - but some very entrepreneurial things are going on in the northern plains states.  One of those things is the N2TEC Technology Accelerator program, which is providing $15,000 grants to entrepreneurs to spend 8 weeks in South Dakota and get their businesses ready for launch.  Now, why would you want to participate in a program in South Dakota? Well, for one thing, the good people of the state want you to see how enthusiastic they are about supporting start-ups.  Entrepreneurs in the Accelerator program will be surrounded by a team of mentors, professional advisors, angel investors and venture capitalists.  They will have incubator space to use while they put the finishing touches on their businesses and prepare to participate in the deal dating event at the end of the 8 weeks. And, you don't have to launch your business in South Dakota to participate (although they sure would be happy if you did!).

Deal dating is a concept that the South Dakota Enterprise Institute introduced as part of their annual Innovation Expo to match entrepreneurs with investors.   It basically looks like speed dating and it works like this.  The entrepreneurs and investors are put together in a room (no one else is allowed to be there).  The entrepreneurs each have a table where they can set up a visual pitch for their business.  When an investor comes to their table, they have two minutes to pitch their business and answer questions; then, when the buzzer sounds, the investor moves on to the next table and the entrepreneur meets with a new investor.  It's a very exciting environment, much like an auction.  At the end of all the rounds, the investors fill out their score cards indicating which business they thought was the most fundable and that team wins a prize.  Actually, all the teams end up winners because they've made important connections to the investor network in the region.

If you're still thinking that spending the summer is South Dakota is not your cup of tea, consider this.  In 2007, T. Denny Sanford, a South Dakota entrepreneur, gave $450 million to establish Sanford Health, a Mayo Clinic-like medical destination for pediatrics based in Sioux Falls.  And he's just one of a number of very successful entrepreneurs who have sprung from the heartland.  Check out the information on the Accelerator Program at N2TEC Institute's site.  It just might be the kickstart you need.