EmergingPrairie.com

Emerging Prairie is a Fargo, North Dakota-based non-profit organization that develops initiatives, events, and educational programs to support entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation across the broader Midwest region. Originally established as a digital media company focused on regional founder narratives, the entity has since expanded its operational scope to include community building and agricultural technology advancement. The organization operates several specialized regional projects, including the Grand Farm collaborative agriculture initiative launched in 2017 and the Emerging Digital Academy software engineering bootcamp established in 2020. Funded primarily through institutional grants and programmatic revenue, the group previously managed the Prairie Den co-working space and currently hosts major industry conferences such as the Cultivate 2024 agtech summit. Operating as a standalone non-profit entity, Emerging Prairie was officially founded in 2013 by co-founders Greg Tehven, Jake Joraanstad, Miguel Danielson, and Andy Christianson.

# Emerging Prairie: Community Catalyst for North Dakota's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

High-Level Overview

Emerging Prairie is not a company but a nonprofit organization dedicated to energizing communities and fostering economic growth through innovative programming and events.[1][2] Founded in 2013 by a group of Fargo entrepreneurs, the organization serves as a platform for connecting and celebrating the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Fargo-Moorhead region and across North Dakota.[4] Rather than building products or generating investment returns, Emerging Prairie operates as a community resource that convenes entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, universities, and large corporations around shared goals of startup development, technology advancement, and regional economic acceleration.[2]

The organization's mission centers on creating a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing a platform to share knowledge and experiences, offering visibility into regional entrepreneurial activity, and building networks of passionate individuals shaping the region's future.[2] With fewer than 25 employees and annual revenue under $5 million, Emerging Prairie functions as a lean, mission-driven organization focused on community impact rather than commercial growth.[4]

Core Initiatives and Programming

Emerging Prairie operates through several key initiatives that define its role in the regional ecosystem:

• StartupBREW Fargo: A weekly Wednesday morning meetup (8 AM–9:30 AM) at the Prairie Den for entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives, and community members to explore the entrepreneurial journey.[1]

• Grand Farm: A global collaborative network addressing agricultural problems through technology and innovation, co-founded by Dr. William Aderholdt.[1]

• Emerging Digital Academy: A training program created to address the growing demand for skilled software developers in North Dakota.[1]

• Prairie Capital Summit: A program working to grow private investment in the region.[5]

• Events and Conferences: Emerging Prairie organizes regional and national events that connect people to explore and celebrate innovations and new ideas.[1]

Organizational Philosophy and Values

The organization operates on the principle of "a rising tide lifts all boats," celebrating those making progress and positively impacting the community.[1] Emerging Prairie emphasizes three core values: educating the city by bringing ideas and challenging the status quo, infusing the arts into all programming, and recognizing the potential of entrepreneurs, artists, and creators—particularly in the high-technology space.[4] This approach reflects a belief that recognition of community potential, social connectivity, and highlighting risk-takers and change-makers are vital accelerators of growth and development.[4]

Role in the Broader Ecosystem

Emerging Prairie functions as a critical infrastructure layer for North Dakota's entrepreneurial economy. Rather than competing with startups or making investment decisions, the organization creates the connective tissue that allows diverse ecosystem participants—entrepreneurs, investors, government, universities, students, service providers, and corporations—to collaborate effectively.[2] This positioning makes Emerging Prairie a convener and amplifier of regional entrepreneurial activity, helping attract talent and investment to a region that might otherwise lack visibility in national startup conversations.

The organization's emphasis on both technology innovation (through Grand Farm and the Digital Academy) and community celebration (through events and storytelling) reflects an understanding that sustainable economic growth requires both infrastructure development and cultural momentum.