Entrepreneurs Day set for March 27

March 17, 2026

Dakota State University's eighth-annual Entrepreneurs Day returns to campus on Friday, March 27 at the Beacom PREMIER Complex. The event, which begins at 11:30 a.m., is open to the public and will be livestreamed.

Following its traditional format and emceed by Michael Vetter of Wildfire Labs, the day will include three speakers who lead within their respective industries:

• Teresa Wrich, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a fintech and compliance strategist who builds frameworks that help banks, nonprofits, and innovators bridge regulation with real-world impact. She also leads leadership coaching and creative team workshops that strengthen culture, clarity, and execution.
• Megan Marzolf is a South Dakota business owner and co-operator of Marzolf X Kennel, LLC, where she specializes in obedience, therapy dog, and hunt dog training. An owner/operator for almost 15 years, she combines extensive hands-on experience with active involvement in AKC and NAVHDA and professionally guides upland hunters.
• Jessica Meyers, a native of Winner, South Dakota, is co-founder and CEO of PorchLight, a talent recruitment firm that partners with rural communities to prepare for the 21st-century workforce and is the hub to connect rural workers to employment opportunities.

Following the speaking portion of the event, Entrepreneurs Day will conclude with its business pitch competition for regional high school and college students. Participants submitted business plan ideas earlier this month. The program will conclude with the announcement of the competition winners. First place in each division will earn $1,000, second place $500, and third place $250.

The event is co-sponsored by the Lake Area Improvement Corporation, Dakota State Paulson Cyber Incubator & Entrepreneurial Center, and the NSF I-CORPS Great Plains Hub.

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