South Dakota FAST Launch

Training, coaching, and funding to help South Dakota innovators move forward.

South Dakota FAST Launch helps entrepreneurs and innovation-based businesses strengthen their commercialization plans and prepare for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and other funding opportunities.

This year's program brings together Continuum's Lab to Market training, personalized business coaching, customer discovery referrals through Great Plains I-Corps, and competitive FAST Launch awards of up to $10,000.

Whether you are exploring a new idea, developing a technology, or preparing for your next stage of funding, South Dakota Biotech can help you identify the right next step.

Start Here: Complete the Intake Form

All participants begin by completing the FAST Launch intake form.

Tell us about your business or idea, your current stage of development, and the support you need. South Dakota Biotech will review your information and connect you with appropriate training, coaching, customer discovery, or funding opportunities.

Continuum enrollment information and FAST Launch application instructions will be shared after intake review, based on your needs and readiness. Returning participants, past awardees, and I-Corps graduates should also complete intake.

COMPLETE THE INTAKE FORM

Business Training Through Continuum

South Dakota Biotech now offers access to Lab to Market training through Continuum, an online learning platform that helps innovators explore how to move an idea or technology toward commercialization.

The full course includes nine modules and approximately 14.5 hours of content, delivered in a self-paced format. Participants can work through videos, resources, and activities while developing their business and commercialization plans.

After reviewing your intake form, our team will provide enrollment information and guidance on how the training fits your next steps.

Customer Discovery Through Great Plains I-Corps

Understanding your customers is an essential part of building a viable business. Customer discovery helps you test assumptions, understand stakeholder needs, and determine whether your innovation addresses a meaningful market opportunity.

Participants seeking customer discovery support will primarily be referred to Great Plains I-Corps. Its training helps innovators learn directly from potential customers and other stakeholders and use those insights to guide commercialization decisions.

If you have already completed I-Corps or other customer discovery work, include that information in your intake form so we can help determine your next step.

FAST Launch Funding

Eligible South Dakota companies may apply for competitive awards of up to $10,000 to support business plan implementation and progress toward additional funding.

FAST Launch funding is intended to help technology-based, scalable businesses advance their innovations and strengthen their readiness for SBIR/STTR or other commercialization opportunities.

Support may be relevant to companies preparing an initial SBIR/STTR proposal, moving from Phase I toward Phase II, or addressing a specific development milestone. Startups, established innovation-based companies, and past FAST participants are encouraged to complete intake to discuss their fit.

Following intake review, South Dakota Biotech will share the FAST Launch application and current eligibility requirements, along with guidance on proposed activities, budgets, and any training or reporting requirements.

Begin with the intake form to learn more about funding consideration.

Meet Tung Nguyen

South Dakota Biotech’s FAST Launch Business Coach

Personalized Business Coaching

Meet Tung Nguyen, FAST Launch Business Coach

Tung Nguyen provides one-on-one business coaching through South Dakota Biotech, helping entrepreneurs navigate business planning, commercialization, funding strategies, operations, intellectual property, and regulatory considerations.

With a background in mechanical engineering, an MBA, and experience supporting South Dakota startups, Tung helps businesses identify practical next steps and strengthen their readiness for training and funding opportunities.

Complete the intake form to connect with our team.

Additional Support and Resources

SBIR/STTR guidance: South Dakota Biotech can help you explore whether SBIR/STTR is a fit for your technology and connect you with proposal assistance, training, and relevant partners, including South Dakota's SBIR support network and BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting.

South Dakota Governor's Giant Vision Competition: FAST Launch can help entrepreneurs strengthen their business plans and prepare for opportunities such as the Governor's Giant Vision Competition.

Small business assistance: Additional business counseling and resources are available through the South Dakota Small Business Development Center.

Ready to Get Started?

One intake form connects you with the next step for your business.

COMPLETE THE INTAKE FORM

Sign up for South Dakota Biotech's newsletter and follow our social media channels for program updates and upcoming opportunities.

South Dakota FAST Launch is supported through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program.

FAST Launch Testimonial

"Fast Track has been the conduit for multiple connections across the state. They have helped foster a community which has sparked what I believe to be the next great innovation coming out of South Dakota above and beyond the one we applied for. The group is kind, caring and compassionate. They have helped us think outside the box and pushed us to a space where we were able to give out $20,000 worth of SD focused grants to people wanting to become a peer specialist (a person in recovery who helps others on their recovery path.) We are so grateful.”

- Past FAST Launch Program Attendee

MORE TESTIMONIALS