“Building strong communities by investing in smart people with good ideas.” Alan K. Ruvelson – Grandfather of Modern Venture Capital

Prairie Winds Capital, LLC is a South Dakota Limited Liability Company, which was formed up in the latter half of 2006. PWC is a RAIN® (Regional Angel Investment Network) fund member of the Rain Source Capital group, which is itself located and headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The RAIN network has some 24 funds, some 350+ members, and is spread across six states in the upper Midwest. Prairie Winds Capital (”PWC”) is assisted by the Enterprise Institute and its administration is located at 201 South Phillips Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls, SD. Prairie Winds Capital, LLC, is comprised of 14 Sioux Falls area qualified investors, and currently has a portfolio book value of $750,000+. Meetings are held monthly.

Goals:

• Invest primarily in Sioux Empire Region start-up companies
• Provide a positive return on investment for members
• Support local entrepreneurs
• Create jobs & local economic development
• Stimulate economic impact within 275 mile radius of Sioux Falls

Target Industries:

• Agricultural support and/or enterprise
• Research and concept development (science-medicine)
• Transportation
• Technology (internet, software, communications)
• Alternative energy production and/or conservation

Investment Profile:

• Invest $50K-$100K in early stage entrepreneurial companies
• Solid business model with high growth potential & measurable market
• Tenants of incubators such as the SD Technology Business Center
• “Intellectual property protected” enterprises with proof of concept
• Significant Return on Investment with clear exit strategy in 4-7 years

N2TEC Accelerator - Summer 2009

N2 TEC Accelerator 2009 Seeks Applications

April 1 st , 2009 is the application deadline for a new assistance program for technology entrepreneurs called N2 TEC Accelerator. This summer program is a collaborative effort of N2 TEC , Enterprise Institute, Innovation Campus, Small Business Development Centers and the South Dakota Technology Business Center and 2009 is the kick-off.

The N2 TEC Accelerator is designed to get technology businesses stared surrounded by a team of experts and great resources. Ten selected founding teams will be awarded $15,000 in seed grants to support their businesses during and eight week stay in South Dakota during June/July 2009. These start-up businesses will also benefit from mentor teams, industry experts, workspace, investor access and networking events.

Ideal applicants for this program will be technology-based start-up companies with a working prototype developed or in later stages of development that are ready to make the effort to launch and commercialize their businesses.

Click here to view a flyer of the program.  You can also go to N2TEC’S website (http://www.n2tec.org/accelerator/) for more information.