Bismarck-based entrepreneurs now have renewed funding avenues as North Dakota relaunches the Innovate ND Program, while Angel Match investments, workforce initiatives, and the Mandan Pitch Challenge are reshaping the startup environment in late 2025
North Dakota has been actively building a more robust business support ecosystem in 2025. With key programs aimed at validating early-stage ideas, matching private investment, and helping startups grow, the state (and especially the Bismarck-Mandan region) is positioning itself to be more competitive. Local industries—especially tech, agriculture, and services—are confronting common hurdles like labor shortages, regulatory complexity, and scaling challenges. These programs aim to address those gaps.
The Innovate ND program is headquartered in Bismarck (via the ND Dept. of Commerce), giving local inventors, tech founders, and innovators direct access to $50,000 in reimbursements spread over two six-month phases.
Through the Angel Match Program, also administered from ND commerce offices (in Bismarck), local startups have tapped hundreds of thousands in matched funding, especially for scalable tech and supply chain/logistics solutions.
In the Bismarck-Mandan area, the Mandan Business Pitch Challenge (deadline recently passed) is giving local entrepreneurs the chance to pitch before judges, gain mentorship via SBDC, and compete for resources that help launch or grow.
Agriculture—a big local industry—is adopting autonomous tech more rapidly to compensate for labor shortages, with local farms exploring solutions from drone monitoring to automated health tracking of livestock. These innovations may require local businesses and startups for support services, tech maintenance, data handling.
Local Farmer and Owner, Missouri River Feeders, Dan Price:
“It may seem expensive, but really, in the long run, it isn’t that expensive. If you can save three, four, five head a year, you’ll pay for what you’re investing.” (on livestock health tags / autonomous monitoring)
Bismarck and the wider North Dakota region are leaning into a future where entrepreneurship, innovation, and tech adoption are key growth drivers. With Innovate ND’s relaunch, the Angel Match Program’s ongoing investments, and local competitions like the Mandan Pitch Challenge, the support infrastructure is strengthening. For startups, the signal is clear: now is a prime time to pitch ideas, build networks, and use local resources to scale. For residents and investors, these trends suggest more job creation, diversified local industries, and a resilient economic base.
