PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry today announced that applications are now open for the 2027 Governor’s Giant Vision Competition, the state’s premier business plan competition connecting South Dakota entrepreneurs and student innovators with the seed capital, mentorship and statewide spotlight they need to build lasting companies right here at home.
Applications must be submitted by Monday, Jan. 18, 2027. Finalists will pitch their business plans in person Feb. 24, 2027, at the Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center in Pierre, where Giant Vision is traditionally held in conjunction with the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, hosted by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
Giant Vision awards cash prizes across two tracks designed to meet entrepreneurs wherever they are in their journey:
Open Competition: for South Dakota residents committed to operating their business in the state. Eligible businesses may be operating for up to three years with annual revenue under $500,000, and compete for cash prizes up to $20,000.
Student Competition: for full-time students at South Dakota colleges, universities and technical schools, giving young innovators a launchpad for their ideas before they ever put down roots elsewhere. Student finalists compete for cash prizes up to $5,000.
More than a pitch contest, Giant Vision is a proven pipeline for turning South Dakota ideas into South Dakota companies. By pairing cash prizes with hands-on mentorship, feedback from experienced business leaders and direct connections to the state’s entrepreneurial support network, the competition keeps homegrown talent, capital and innovation working inside South Dakota’s borders, exactly the kind of grassroots investment that creates jobs, diversifies local economies and strengthens the state’s ability to compete for talent and industry nationally.