Students in the TRAC program will:

• Earn up to $10,000 per semester to learn and develop commercialized technologies
• Gain industry-relevant experience
• Work in both the laboratory as well as R&D with commercialization
• Network with researchers and tech developers
• Have opportunities to start your own business after completion
• Participate in workshops, the Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®), the Innovation Expo, the Governor’s Giant Vision Business Plan Competition, the SDBio Annual Summit and more

Year 1

In their first year of this two-year graduate program, students learn about workshops in intellectual property, entrepreneurship, technology development and laboratory skills.

Year 2

After students hone their skills necessary to properly work in the field, they will enter into their second year of school, focused on a particular medical technology owned by either USD or Sanford Health. Students will develop market-focused applications for that particular technology. By the end of their second year, the students will seek continued funding to expand on such development.

Yes. TRAC will train entrepreneurs and inventors in market identification using tools such as Foresight Science and Technology’s Go/NoGoTM and Technology Niche AnalysisTM. At the end of the first year, each student (or team) will select a technology for development from a pool of more than 60 opportunities that are owned by USD and Sanford Health. In their second year, students will develop market-focused applications for their selected technologies. This second year includes robust mentorship. A Technology Readiness Advisory Board, composed of experienced technology users, will provide quarterly evaluations of technology development. A Business Advisory Board, composed of local businesspeople, will provide quarterly evaluations of the market-fit of the technology. At the end of their second year, students (or teams) will seek funding either from the SBIR program or local Angel Investors.

Rural areas tend to have a smaller number of entrepreneurs in the high-tech fields, and our region is no exception. The TRAC apprenticeship program intentionally supports the development of students to find pathways into entrepreneurship in our region. Post-graduation employment opportunities – not to mention enhanced possibilities for startups – will increase regional connectivity from new and existing stakeholder relationships.

In addition to building strong relationships with the TRAC advisory board members, TRAC will help future entrepreneurs to create a network throughout the state that will guide and mentor this next generation of industry leaders with the tools necessary to make measurable contributions to the economy through entrepreneurship and employment. Businesses will be created in five Opportunity Zones in Vermillion and Sioux Falls. TRAC will provide competitive stipends to graduate assistants as they learn to develop and commercialize technologies.

There is a crucial gap in investments between technology in the academic side of research and the commercial side. TRAC bridges that gap. TRAC will work to improve on technology already in place and bring entrepreneurship to the region