South Dakota Proof of Concept Program
South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)
Up to $25,000
South Dakota innovation feasibility funding
The Proof of Concept program provides up to $25,000 to conduct research that demonstrates the technical and economic feasibility of an innovation before it is commercialized. It is open to entrepreneurs, universities, existing South Dakota companies, and other entities committed to commercializing the results in South Dakota. The program includes three application tracks — standard Proof of Concept, SBIR Phase 0, and an SBIR Supplement — the latter two designed to dovetail with federal SBIR/STTR grants. A matching cash or in-kind investment of at least 10% of the project cost is required. After review by the Research Affairs Council (the six public universities) and private-sector reviewers, GOED decides each award; the final report determines whether the investment is forgiven or whether repayment terms apply.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- Up to $25,000
- Realistic amount
- Most awards are at or near the $25,000 ceiling, sized to fund a discrete feasibility study, …
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications can be submitted at any time.
- Status
- active
- States
- South Dakota
- Payment model
- milestone
Who qualifies
- Entrepreneur, university, existing South Dakota company, or other entity
- Committed to commercializing the results in South Dakota
- Project demonstrates the technical and/or economic feasibility of an innovation prior to commercialization
- Provide a matching cash or in-kind investment of at least 10% of project cost
- Funds spent on eligible items (consultants, materials/supplies, South Dakota employee salaries, feasibility/marketing studies)
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Consultant contracts
- Materials and supplies
- Salaries for employees based in South Dakota
- Technical feasibility studies
- Marketing/feasibility studies necessary to validate the innovation
Ineligible expenses
- Principal investigator / researcher salaries
- Legal fees for incorporation
- Sales costs
- General operating expenses
How to apply
-
1
Choose the right track and scope the study
Decide between standard Proof of Concept, SBIR Phase 0, or SBIR Supplement, and define a discrete feasibility or validation study with a budget within the $25,000 cap.
~5 hrs
-
2
Prepare the application and 10% match
Complete the online application with project narrative, budget, commercialization plan tied to South Dakota, and documentation of the 10% cash or in-kind match.
~12 hrs
-
3
Submit online (rolling) and pass completeness screen
Submit anytime; GOED screens for completeness within roughly 10 days.
~1 hrs
-
4
Technical and business review, then GOED decision
The Research Affairs Council conducts technical review; private equity investors and incubator managers conduct business review; GOED makes the final award decision.
~3 hrs
Keep the scope to a tight, fundable feasibility question — this money is meant to de-risk before commercialization, not to run general operations (PI salaries, incorporation legal fees, and sales costs are all ineligible). The SBIR Phase 0 / Supplement tracks are the smart entry if you're also pursuing a federal SBIR, since they're built to dovetail with it.
Deadline & timing
No fixed cycle. GOED screens for completeness within about 10 days, then routes the proposal through technical review (Research Affairs Council) and a business review (private equity investors and incubator managers) before a final GOED decision.
Programs that stack well
Related programs
Explore more funding
Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.