Up to $50K on the table for Bismarck builders
On a chilly morning along the Missouri, a handful of Bismarck founders are refining pitches over coffee—and now have a clearer path to fund the next steps. The North Dakota Department of Commerce opened applications for Innovate ND, offering up to $50,000 in reimbursable expenses plus coaching to help move ideas toward market, according to the agency’s announcement and program materials ND Department of Commerce.
Here’s the bottom line: if you’re a Bismarck-area startup aiming for high growth and Primary Sector Certification, you could offset early costs—like prototyping and customer discovery—and get paired with mentors who know the North Dakota market. Applications for this round are due November 26, 2025, per Commerce.
Major opportunity for Bismarck entrepreneurs
Commerce frames Innovate ND as a practical way to validate business models before you burn cash. The program’s reimbursable support—up to $50,000—can cover eligible early-stage activities that help prove demand and prepare for scale, alongside structured coaching through partner organizations, according to program guidance ND Department of Commerce.
A key aim this cycle is to back companies that can qualify for North Dakota’s Primary Sector Certification—firms that create new wealth by selling goods or services outside the state (think software, value-added ag, advanced manufacturing). That designation can unlock additional incentives and is administered by Commerce Primary Sector Certification.
Quick specifics for founders:
Funding: Up to $50,000 in reimbursable expenses (you spend first, then submit for reimbursement), per Commerce.
Coaching: Access to mentors and partner resources focused on market validation and go-to-market.
Focus: High-growth startups pursuing Primary Sector Certification.
Deadline: Apply by Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.
Context: Fueling local innovation
Innovate ND is designed to keep early customer research and product testing rooted here, so companies don’t have to head to the coasts for basic validation. By reducing the cost of first prototypes and market interviews, the program aims to shorten the time between idea and first sale—while building companies that hire locally, according to Commerce’s program overview ND Department of Commerce.
Bismarck plays an important role in that pipeline. With the North Dakota State Capitol, health systems, energy firms, and growing tech teams anchored here, founders can pilot solutions with real customers—then scale across the region. Local support groups like the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC and the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Bismarck office help with business plans, financials, and investor prep, creating a practical path from early testing to first revenue Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC ND SBDC.
While each cohort looks different, Commerce says past cycles have included teams from across Bismarck-Mandan and the state, building in sectors such as ag-tech, software, and healthcare. The through-line: access to coaching and reimbursable funds reduces early risk and keeps more startups headquartered in North Dakota.
Voices from the community
Program materials emphasize “validate before you scale”—a mantra local mentors echo when they coach teams on customer discovery and pricing. Commerce underscores that reimbursable support is intended for activities that directly test market fit and readiness, not general operating costs ND Department of Commerce.
Local advisors say the combination of reimbursable funds and structured coaching is what moves the needle: it nudges founders to run targeted experiments—interviews, pilots, prototype iterations—then measure whether customers truly care. In practical terms, that means fewer costly detours and clearer milestones for follow-on capital from banks or angel investors.
If you’re new to the ecosystem, start by tapping a no-cost SBDC consult in Bismarck or reaching out to the Chamber EDC for connections to mentors and potential pilot customers. Those early conversations can sharpen your Innovate ND plan and strengthen your budget—two things reviewers tend to reward ND SBDC Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC.
How to apply—and get ready to be reimbursed
Innovate ND is a reimbursement program: you’ll pay for eligible activities and submit documentation to be repaid, up to your award cap. Read the current program guide carefully before spending; eligible uses typically include market research, customer discovery, prototyping/MVP development, and specialized services like IP or regulatory consulting, per Commerce guidance ND Department of Commerce.
Application steps Bismarck founders can take now:
Review eligibility and the Primary Sector focus on Commerce’s site.
Draft a lean validation plan: customer interviews, pilot scope, and milestones.
Build a simple budget tied to those milestones; flag which costs you’ll submit for reimbursement.
Line up local help: book an SBDC session in Bismarck; ask the Chamber EDC for mentor intros.
Submit your application through Commerce’s portal; keep receipts and deliverables organized.
Useful links for help:
Apply and program details: ND Department of Commerce – Innovate ND (program page) ND Department of Commerce
Primary Sector Certification overview: requirements and benefits Primary Sector Certification
Free advising: ND SBDC – Bismarck Center ND SBDC
Local connections: Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC
Common pitfalls—and how this program helps:
Unproven demand: Coaching and funded customer discovery reduce guesswork.
Overbuilding: Reimbursable prototyping encourages small, testable iterations.
Funding gaps: Early validation data can unlock lenders and angels sooner.
What to Watch
Commerce typically shares application workshops and office hours after opening a round; watch for dates on the program page. Keep an eye on any updates to eligible expenses or reimbursement rules as the cycle progresses. Final application deadline is Nov. 26, 2025; decisions and cohort activities will follow.
