2026 Technology and Entrepreneurship Summit
About this Event
Wednesday, September 30th, starting at 9 AM
Location: Johnson Fine Arts Center, Northern State University
Join us for the 2026 Technology and Entrepreneurship Summit hosted by the Northern Innovation and Startup Center and the Aberdeen Development Corporation! We're bringing together forward-thinking innovators, industry creatives, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs for an exciting event centered around technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
All sessions are recorded, and pictures may be taken throughout the Summit.
See more details: https://www.northernstartupcenter.com/summit
TICKET PRICING
In-person tickets are $50*
Group discount for groups of 4+ people- get $5 off per ticket!
Zoom Tickets are $40.*
All South Dakota University and College Faculty/Staff and Students can attend in-person for FREE! (MUST SIGN UP WITH UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE EMAIL)
All High School Students and Faculty can attend in-person for FREE!
*Early bird tickets end September 16*
REGISTRATION NOTES:
South Dakota University and College Faculty: If bringing a class for the day, please contact [email protected] to get everyone registered
NSU Faculty: If bringing a class for a specific session, please contact [email protected] to register (Must register by Wednesday, September 16th)
NSU Students: If you are attending for a class, you are already registered by your Professor(s). If you would like to attend the whole day with an excused absence, please register on this page (FOR FREE).
High School Educators: Teachers and students attend free of charge. If bringing a class for the day, please contact [email protected] to get everyone registered (Must register by Wednesday, September 16th)
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration Open
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Stay, Build, Adapt: AI Through a Rural Lens
Host: Jeremy Satterfield
Info: Rural communities have always had to build with what they have and fight to keep what matters. Jeremy Satterfield speaks to that experience directly, grounded in his own roots in rural Virginia and shaped by the communities he continues to work alongside. This keynote looks at how AI is being worked into everyday systems across education, healthcare, and connectivity through TechSpark programs. Not as a full reset, but as part of ongoing efforts to create opportunity and stability. It’s a view of adoption that’s shaped by place, by people, and by the long-term goal of making it possible for more individuals to stay, grow, and contribute where they are.
🕑: 10:10 AM - 10:50 AM
Playing with Dynamite: How to Cut Through Chaos and Deliver Under Pressure
Host: Sean Covel
Info: Every movie is a startup. A new team, a new product, limited resources, and millions of dollars on the line—with zero opportunity to miss the release date. In this keynote, Napoleon Dynamite producer Sean Covel takes audiences behind the scenes of Hollywood to reveal the production systems that allow film crews to thrive under extraordinary pressure while protecting the intuition and creativity that make great work possible. Through unforgettable stories from film sets, research on focus and decision-making, and practical tools for today’s AI-powered workplace, Sean teaches Hollywood’s production rituals - Picture’s Up! Action! That’s a Wrap! - showing how they transform chaos into alignment, momentum, and exceptional execution. Entertaining, insightful, and filled with audience interaction, this keynote offers a rare look inside one of the world’s most demanding production environments—and why its operating system may be even more valuable in the age of AI.
🕑: 10:10 AM - 10:50 AM
Bringing Innovation to Life
Host: Dr. Nathan Skelley
Info: Learn how a frontline clinical challenge inspired the development of a novel medical device, from initial concept and prototyping through evaluation and eventual humanitarian impact. Dr. Nathan Skelley will share the experiences, motivations, and mindset that shaped his passion for innovation, along with practical insights into how ideas are identified, developed, and advanced within Sanford Health. Through personal stories and lessons learned, the presentation highlights how curiosity, persistence, and collaboration can turn observations at the bedside into innovations that improve lives.
🕑: 10:10 AM - 10:50 AM
Real Stories of Starting a Business: You Don’t Need All the Answers
Host: Tiffany Hoeft
Info: An NSU student, an ice cream truck entrepreneur, and a healthcare innovator have one thing in common - they stopped waiting and started building. No million-dollar investment. Just people who saw an opportunity and decided to do something about it. Learn how they validated their ideas, utilized startup resources, and navigated the uncertainty of launching a business - all while balancing work, school, and everyday life.
🕑: 11:10 AM - 11:50 AM
Turning an Idea Into a National Brand
Host: Mollie Ficocello
Info: What happens when three North Dakota farm daughters see an opportunity to reinvent a family crop? In this practical and inspiring session, hear how 3 Farm Daughters transformed an idea rooted in their family's farm into a nationally recognized food brand. Learn how they validated their market, built a loyal customer base, navigated growth, and scaled their business while staying true to their mission, values, and rural roots.
🕑: 11:10 AM - 11:50 AM
CybHER: Building South Dakota’s Next Generation of Cyber Leaders
Host: Dr. Ashley Podhradsky
Info: CybHER helps South Dakota students—especially girls and those from rural, tribal, and underserved communities—explore careers in cybersecurity and technology. This presentation will highlight how hands-on learning, sustained outreach, and strong partnerships are helping educate, inspire, and retain the state’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
🕑: 11:10 AM - 11:50 AM
What If? The Question Behind Every Innovation
Host: Matthew Luhn
Info: Innovation starts with curiosity. This engaging conversation will explore how asking "What if?" can spark creativity, challenge assumptions, and lead to extraordinary outcomes. Through stories and lessons from Hollywood, business, and beyond- explore how creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking drive innovation in every industry.
🕑: 11:50 PM - 12:50 PM
Food Truck Lunch
Host: Shagan Pit
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM
To Innovation and Beyond
Host: Matthew Luhn
Info: When your company’s product or service appears similar to your competitor’s offerings, how can you differentiate and get consumers to notice? In this enlightening and entertaining talk, Matthew Luhn, accomplished writer and Pixar story artist on the Toy Story films, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, UP, and Ratatouille, will share his methods and experiences working with Disney/Pixar and advising other Fortune 500 companies. Audiences will learn how to innovate, differentiate and stay relevant in today’s business world, creating more value and winning customer loyalty.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Building Better Communities: Designing Places People Want to Stay
Host: Peter Calthorpe
Info: What makes a community a place where people want to stay, build a life, and invest in the future? The answer may have less to do with population size than we think. Drawing from decades of work designing communities around the world, Peter Calthorpe will explore how principles like walkability, connectivity, thoughtful growth, and a strong sense of place can apply just as meaningfully in rural communities. This session looks at how towns can grow and evolve while protecting the character, landscape, and quality of life that make them worth calling home. Sponsored by NSU's Cramer Center for Design and Innovation and HDR, Inc.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 50.00
