The Power of Community to Drive Innovation in Small-Town America
Greg Tehven - Co-Founder & CEO of Emerging Prairie
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When communities come together in a spirit of mutual support, entrepreneurship can thrive.
In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, Matt Kirchner sits down with Greg Tehven, co-founder of Emerging Prairie, to explore the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and tech startups. Greg shares his journey from a college graduate with a vision to becoming a pivotal force in transforming communities into thriving hubs of innovation. You'll hear about the inspiring initiatives and events that have put unexpected places like Fargo, ND on the map as vibrant centers for tech and entrepreneurial growth.
Listeners will dive into the strategies and philosophies that fuel success in the startup world, including the power of collaboration and the importance of community engagement. Greg's passion for creating meaningful connections and empowering individuals shines through as he discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
What You'll Learn:
- How community-driven initiatives can transform the entrepreneurial landscape
- How to launch a successful startup, even if you're not in a big city
- The importance of giving, and the surprising ROI of a go-giver mindset
- Greg's vision for the future of entrepreneurship and its broader impact on the tech world
Quotable Moments:
"The more we pour into our community, the more good happens."
"I was one of those kids when the guest speakers came in and said, 'If you can dream it, you can do it,' I believed them. They said, 'Hey, you should take a risk, solve problems, focus on things that you believe can be better.' I was one of those kids that took notes and said, "Okay, I believe you."
"Our business model is like a tree. If a tree takes care of a community, a community will water it and nurture it and help it grow. And if the tree isn't adding value, the community will let it die. That’s our business model. I am so delighted by the amount of resources that come in, and we just focus on our mission, which is energizing communities to improve the human condition."
"If I had to give some wisdom to young people, I would say get back to the basics. You don't need a degree to solve a problem. You don't need a passport to change the world. Start something, get it as far as you can. If it goes, great; if not, you start over. That’s the beauty of being young — take as many risks as you can."
3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:
- Community engagement is essential for thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems: Greg Tehven emphasizes the importance of building a supportive community for entrepreneurs. Emerging Prairie offers a great template for how to build this ecosystem, by connecting and supporting innovators through events, resources, and collaborative projects.
- Emerging agricultural technologies are revolutionizing farming practices: The Grand Farm initiative focuses on integrating advanced technologies into agriculture to solve real-world farming challenges. With trials for autonomous robots, AI solutions, and partnerships with institutions like the University of Georgia, Grand Farm is pioneering efforts to bring innovative agricultural solutions to scale.
- Support our students' ideas, because they're the innovators of tomorrow: Thanks to the support of mentors and peers, Greg was just a college freshman when his first entrepreneurial ventures began. He shares stories about how exposing youth to current technologies, such as drones and autonomous farming equipment, can spark their curiosity and drive future innovations in various fields, including space farming.
Resources in this Episode:
To learn more about Emerging Prairie, visit their site: emergingprairie.com
Additional resources
- Grand Farm
- Startup Brew
- TEDxFargo
- Book: The Go-Giver
- Podcast episode with ND Governor Doug Burgum
Connect with Emerging Prairie:
Follow Greg on LinkedIn | Emerging Prairie LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
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