Bridging the Gap for Established Founders
Startup Sioux Falls has launched a new initiative titled Roundtable to support leaders of established, sustaining-level companies. The program specifically targets CEOs operating businesses with seven- or eight-figure annual revenues. This effort addresses a recurring need identified by the organization as founders grow beyond early-stage accelerators and startup-focused programming. By creating a peer-driven environment, the program seeks to provide a confidential space for executives to navigate complex decision-making processes.
Jeff Hayward, director of programming for Startup Sioux Falls, observed that while the organization excels at supporting nascent ventures, a void existed at the top end. Founders of mature companies often lack peers who understand the unique pressures of scaling a significant enterprise. This group format intends to keep these successful leaders engaged within the local business ecosystem while providing direct value for their specific operational challenges.
Structure and Facilitation of the Roundtable
Unlike traditional academic or workshop models, Roundtable avoids set curricula in favor of peer-led discussions. The founding cohort consists of eight CEOs, including Mindy Kroll of Time Management Systems and Eric Sivertsen of Epicosity. Facilitation is handled by John Meyer, an executive coach and founder of Leadmore. Meetings occur every other month for four-hour working sessions, supplemented by virtual speaker sessions and ongoing communication.
John Meyer’s role centers on maintaining focus and ensuring all participants contribute meaningfully to the conversation. He emphasizes that industry differences are often secondary to the shared fundamental struggles of leadership. By grounding the group in accountability and direct feedback, Meyer intends to prevent the sessions from becoming passive presentations. The group relies on trust, a factor that becomes harder to maintain as a company grows and the circle of people with whom a CEO can be truly candid shrinks.
Long-term Economic Impact
Startup Sioux Falls frames this initiative within a broader Start, Scale, and Sustain model. While initial startup creation remains a core mission, the organization recognizes that substantial regional economic impact occurs when businesses achieve long-term durability. By supporting the sustain stage, they hope to ensure that high-performing companies remain anchored in the region and continue to scale effectively.
Future plans for the program involve potential expansion into multiple peer groups categorized by specific stages or operational challenges. For now, the focus remains on the founding cohort’s experience. As leaders like Mindy Kroll and Eric Sivertsen integrate the insights gathered from these meetings into their own business strategies, the program aims to establish a repeatable model for executive development. The success of the initiative rests on the willingness of its members to share experiences, challenge one another, and build a lasting network of high-level peers.