South Dakota is gaining recognition as a breeding ground for innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly through the impactful initiatives of the South Dakota Mines Engineers Make Great Entrepreneurs (EMGE) program. Celebrating its 20th year, EMGE stands as a testament to the ingenuity and ambition fostered within this landscape, encouraging students and faculty to transcend traditional research boundaries and embark on entrepreneurial ventures.
Since its inception in 2006, the EMGE program has inspired hundreds to pioneer groundbreaking ideas. This year, the program saw participation from 50 dynamic students in its renowned speaker series and scholarship competition, culminating in prestigious awards that recognize their entrepreneurial spirit and innovation potential.
The program, sponsored by the John Scully Foundation in recent years, underscores collaborations between academia and industry. Renowned for fortifying bridges between research, development, and economic growth, EMGE epitomizes the essence of South Dakota’s rising innovation ecosystem.
Eric Broughton, CEO of OK2Charge, highlighted the final session with a keynote, sharing the transformative journey of creating the first fully automated electric vehicle charging solution. His insights ignited discussions about the future of sustainable technology—a core interest of South Dakota’s evolving tech landscape.
The program included four intensive evening sessions featuring presentations from successful entrepreneurs, including alumni and regional business leaders from companies like RPM, RESPEC, and Property Meld. Each session was a melting pot of ideas and a catalyst for future business leaders.
The event concluded with a high-stakes pitch competition judged by accomplished business leaders, where students plunged into the challenge of encapsulating their entrepreneurial visions in two minutes. Participants not only showcased their ideas but demonstrated the potential to integrate entrepreneurship into their future careers—a significant trait sought by modern industries.
Alfredo Salcido Santos, a freshman in computer engineering, emerged triumphant, clinching the first-place prize and a $1,000 scholarship. His dedication to innovation aligns with South Dakota’s burgeoning reputation as a tech-forward state.
Kelly Sutko, a doctoral candidate in chemical and biological engineering, received the second-place award of $750, illustrating the rich academic diversity and breadth of the program. Her research exemplifies the synergy between theoretical foundations and entrepreneurial execution within South Dakota’s academic institutions.
Arik Ahmed, a doctoral student in nanoscience and nanoengineering, secured a third-place tie, sharing the accolade with Emilia Morton, a freshman chemical engineering major, and Faria Nishat Kahn, a doctoral student in data science and engineering. Each of these students embodies South Dakota Mines’ commitment to nurturing talents poised to ripen into tomorrow’s innovators.
“EMGE provides students the opportunity to hear thorough and detailed descriptions of entrepreneurial journeys from those that have actually lived that life,” expressed Arik Ahmed, capturing the essence of what many regard as a transformative educational experience.
The EMGE program enjoys robust support from the National Science Foundation/EPSCoR Award OIA-1849206 and the South Dakota Board of Regents. Through such backing, the program preserves its role as a flagship initiative, intertwining educational pursuits with practical entrepreneurial experiences.
The EMGE initiative invites participants to engage with the Mines innovation cycle, understanding that South Dakota is not only about breathtaking landscapes but also a crucible of innovation through initiatives like the Governor’s Giant Vision Student Business Plan Competition. Both EMGE and these platforms serve as conduits for meaningful engagement between students, industry leaders, and the economic vertices in South Dakota.
To conclude, the EMGE event showcased the bright entrepreneurial future within the heartland of America—South Dakota. As South Dakota Mines continues to celebrate milestones like this, it reinforces the state’s commitment to becoming a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.