Mike has spent his entire career building software companies. He started his first software company out of his parents basement in college, and since that time has helped found, grow, and sell 6 SaaS companies.

During his years building businesses, Mike has personally worked on each aspect of building a software company - marketing, sales (yes including cold calling), product architecture and development, and operations management, fund raising, and everything in between.

Mike earned a BS in Computer Science & Information Security from Dakota State University in Madison, SD. Mike is based in Brandon, SD with his wonderful wife and four children. Mike loves overlanding and backpacking with his kids in the most remote places. This is probably because Mike was born in Canada where wilderness is everywhere.

Scott has been involved in recruitment advertising and technology for 25 years. He served as the Online Director at the Argus Leader for six years prior to co-founding Classified Verticals in 2005. His team, in partnership with local television stations, launched 14 job boards in the upper Midwest, including KELOLAND Employment. In 2017, he also co-founded HIRECLICK, which provided a turn-key hiring and applicant tracking system to over 3000 small employers. In 2024, HIRECLICK was acquired by Asure Software (Nasdaq: ASUR), where he now serves in a VP/GM of the Applicant Tracking business unit.

Scott is a student of launching and growing digital businesses. He is a board member of Startup Sioux Falls, where he also co-facilitates a software business accelerator program. He enjoys learning new technologies, loves meeting new people and welcomes any conversation surrounding the business sale process. Outside of work, he loves to spend time with his wife, Tara and their three kids, Noah, Lily, and Nash

Clay Gordon brings his experience building and cultivating communities to Stout Street Capital which he co-founded with John Francis in 2017. He primarily focuses on opportunities in HR, cleantech, edtech, insurtech, and fintech sectors. Clay has cultivated new regions for investment including his former home in the Carolinas and championed deals such as Good United with his background in non-profit fundraising.

I'm in charge of our firm's construction niche and have a strong interest in construction and real estate accounting. Additionally, I play a crucial role in the IT department, ensuring we remain at the forefront of technological advancements.

My responsibilities include conducting audits, reviews, and compilations, alongside offering tax return preparation and tax planning for commercial enterprises. I take pleasure in serving a diverse clientele, including those in the manufacturing, retail, and construction industries, as well as employee benefit plans.

Beth Lambeth joined the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology as the associate vice president for research in innovation and entrepreneurship in April 2024. Beth is a connector that thrives on creating synergistic partnerships to drive growth within R&D, fully aligned with the university's mission to connect leaders, shape the future, and deliver groundbreaking innovations. Beth's experience in business development, strategy, and advocacy empowers organizations to collaborate, innovate, and make an impact.

Beth joins Mines after working as an Innovation Strategist with Sanford Health and as the Associate Director for South Dakota Biotech. Her first experience in research commercialization came through her role as the Technology Transfer Officer at the University of South Dakota. Beth has built and directed programs to assist tech entrepreneurs and to train students on technology commercialization pathways.

Beth has an M.B.A. from the University of South Dakota.

Todd Gagne is a seasoned software technology executive with over 30 years of experience in the startup and software industries. During his 19-year tenure at Concur, a leading travel and expense management company, Todd was instrumental in growing the company's revenue from $10 million to over $1.7 billion. His contributions in various senior leadership roles were pivotal in Concur's success, culminating in its acquisition by SAP for $8.3 billion in 2014.

In 2022, Todd co-founded WildFire Labs, a software accelerator based in Rapid City. WildFire Labs is dedicated to helping software entrepreneurs swiftly transition from concept to their first paying customer, providing essential resources and capital along the way. Todd's vision for WildFire Labs is to foster a thriving software ecosystem in western South Dakota, ultimately creating more technology jobs in the region.

Marnie is a Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer for Security First Bank. She is a member of the corporate management team, vice chairman of the bank’s board of directors, and treasurer and vice chairman of the board for Stockmens Financial Corporation, the bank’s holding company. At the bank, she is responsible for marketing communications, investor and public relations, and has shared responsibility for strategic planning, facilities, retail services, product development and customer service. At the holding company, she has shared responsibility for governance, shareholder relations and strategic investments.

Her current community service work includes serving as a Trustee for Sanford Health, President of the Mount Rushmore Society Board of Directors and co-host of the Black Hills Forum & Press Club. Recent service includes board leadership positions with the Good Samaritan Society and Black Hills Area Community Foundation. She is past chairwoman of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce, Youth and Family Services and the Visit Rapid City boards of directors and is a two-time alumna of the Air War College National Security Forum.

Marnie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Oregon where she was a member of the Ducks’ track and field team. She is a 2018 graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the Wharton Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.

She and her husband, Douglas, have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Tom Eitreim serves as Executive Director of the Enterprise Institute. In his role, he works as an entrepreneur coach specializing in early-stage financing. He assists high-growth startup companies to create viable business plans and attract both angel and venture capital. Tom manages the angel fund network for the Enterprise Institute. The angel fund network focuses on identifying and investing in venture scalable startup companies.

Tom began his career at the Enterprise Institute overseeing the market research team. His responsibilities evolved to include grant writing and administration, event planning, and angel fund management. His work throughout South Dakota led him to live in various communities including Brookings, Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

Prior to re-joining the Enterprise Institute, he spent three years working in corporate business development at Sanford Health. Tom is a graduate of South Dakota State University.