Events
South Dakota’s Governor’s Giant Vision Competition
Overview
The Governor’s Giant Vision Competition is an annual initiative designed to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth across South Dakota. This program encourages new business ventures and student entrepreneurs to develop creative solutions that drive the state’s economy forward.
Program Goals
Workforce Preparedness & Education
Enhancing Quality of Life Across South Dakota
Infrastructure & Technology Advancement
Economic Development & Job Growth
Initiatives & Projects
Key initiatives supported through the competition include expanding broadband access in rural areas, workforce training programs to equip South Dakotans with in-demand skills, critical infrastructure improvements, and business innovation grants that provide resources to emerging entrepreneurs.
03 Infrastructure improvements
04 Business innovation grants
01 Expanding broadband access
02 Workforce training programs
Who Can Participate
Open Competition:
South Dakota residents with businesses less than three years old and annual revenue under $500,000.
Prize: First place $20,000, prizes through sixth place.
Student Competition:
Full-time students at South Dakota schools, with existing businesses under three years and annual revenue under $500,000
Prize: First place $5,000, prizes through fifth place.
Celebrating South Dakota's boldest entrepreneurs ·
Big ideas. Real impact ·
Celebrating South Dakota's boldest entrepreneurs · Big ideas. Real impact ·
2026 Winners
Student Competition
First Place
Devana Videre
A medical imaging solution leveraging advanced computer vision technology designed to enhance diagnostic accuracy and accessibility for clinical providers.
Parker Pombrio, David Pienta, and Jeremy Friedrichsen, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Open Competition
First Place
Carbon Lock 12.0
A carbon sequestration technology that captures and stores atmospheric carbon dioxide using a proprietary 12-step mineralization process, offering scalable, permanent carbon removal solutions for agricultural and industrial applications.
Tanvi Govil and Merle Symes, Rapid City
Second Place
Fidelis Vascular
An innovative vascular device designed to improve patient outcomes and procedural efficiency in vascular intervention.
Avery Del Grosso, University of South Dakota
Second Place
AgTag
A livestock tracking and management platform using smart tagging technology to give producers real-time data on animal health, location, and activity — helping ranchers make faster, better-informed decisions.
Jonah Olson
Third Place
MedSum
An AI-powered medical summarization tool that streamlines clinical documentation, saving healthcare providers time and improving patient care coordination.
Clive Uy, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Third Place
AdvancedCarbonX
Advanced carbon material solutions engineered for use in high-performance energy storage and industrial applications, utilizing novel synthesis processes to improve efficiency and reduce production costs.
Bharathkiran Maddipudi, Rapid City
2026 Sponsors
Join the Giant Vision!
Get Involved
Interested in participating or supporting the Governor’s Giant Vision Competition? Contact the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry to learn how you can be part of this exciting opportunity to shape South Dakota’s economic future.