1 Million Thanks celebrates the outstanding achievements made in entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation within our region, and extends heartfelt gratitude to YOU – our dedicated community members who consistently show support.
This event recognizes contributions made by individuals and organizations as well as celebrates the community as a whole for its support. And guess what? Everyone in the community (Yep, that means you!) is invited to attend!
Attendees can reunite with old friends as well as make some exciting, new connections. We will be reflecting on all of the incredible strides made in the past year while also looking forward to future impact. It’s a time to come together and show appreciation while sipping champagne, enjoying delicious appetizers, listening to live music, and having a great time!
What to Expect at 1 Million Thanks
- Delicious appetizers, live music, and our signature champagne toast
- Connecting with fellow community members
- Awards honoring individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in the startup, innovation, and technology communities
This event took place on
Thursday, February 1, 2024
2024 Award Winners
Lifetime Impact
Award
![ron bw Ron Offutt is one of North Dakota’s and the nation’s premiere agribusiness leaders and philanthropists. As owner of the largest network of John Deere construction and agricultural equipment dealerships in the U.S and founder and chairman emeritus of the R. D. Offutt Company and RDO Equipment Company, Ron has brought jobs and opportunities to this region, especially within the agriculture industry.](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/ron-bw.png)
Ron Offutt
Founder, RDO Equipment Co.
This award is given to individuals whose impact has left a mark on North Dakota and beyond, inspiring others and shaping a lasting legacy.
Entrepreneur Community Builder
Award
![50 50](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/50.png)
50 South Capital
This award is given to organizations that contribute to the ecosystem in a meaningful way, allowing us to energize and elevate our startup community.
Entrepreneur Community Champion
Award
State Representative Mike Nathe
This award is given to an individual that has demonstrated significant growth and success and making impact within and beyond our region.
Technology Community Builder
Award
![cota Cota empowers small independent trucking companies with free cutting-edge logistics technology that was once only available to larger carriers, disrupting the TMS landscape and leveling the playing field. Cota has built a meaningful footprint in our community becoming a technology workforce leader in our ecosystem.](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/cota-1.png)
Cota Systems
This award is given to an organization that has contributed in meaningful ways to support the technology community in our region.
Technology Community Champion
Award
![1517693771294 Kara Kalbus’s passion is mentorship and helping others discover their personal paths and achieve their aspirations. She believes in the power of guidance and knowledge-sharing to shape the future of technology and our community. Kara currently serves as the Director in the newly formed Transformation Office at Eide Bailly and has been a mentor with Emerging Digital Academy for the past two cohorts. Kara is dedicated to empowering the next generation of tech leaders.](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/1517693771294.jpg)
Kara Kalbus
Eide Bailly LLP
This award is given to an individual that has shown immense commitment to upskilling the technology workforce of North Dakota.
Grand Farm Innovation Champion
Award
![usda bw The Agricultural Research Service is the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture and has research centers in Fargo, Grand Forks, and Mandan. ARS is one of four agencies in USDA's Research, Education and Economics mission area.](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/usda-bw.png)
USDA ARS
This award is given to an organization that drives immense agricultural innovation in our region.
Grand Farm Innovation
Project of the Year Award
FARMS Team
This award is given to a project that has embraced the advancement of innovations in agriculture technologies.
![52695161283_4aa3c52cc3_b 52695161283_4aa3c52cc3_b](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/52695161283_4aa3c52cc3_b.jpg)
![51868344766_83b008744c_c 51868344766_83b008744c_c](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/51868344766_83b008744c_c.jpg)
![49553725672_625d8071b4_o 49553725672_625d8071b4_o](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/49553725672_625d8071b4_o-1080x720.jpg)
2023 Award Winners
Dr. David Wells Belief // Gary Tharaldson, Tharaldson Ethanol, Tharaldson Hospitality, and Tharaldson Investments
Entrepreneur Community Champion // North Dakota Small Business Development Centers
Kick-Ass Award // Jessie Azure, Spadesso
Grand Farm Champion // KWS Group
Innovative Grower // Ron Holiday
Technology Community Advocate // Jase Kraft, Full Stack Fargo
Technology Workforce Champion // Perficient
2022 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Patty Post, Founder & CEO of Checkable Health
Dr. David Wells Belief // State Senator Ron Sorvaag
Dr. David Wells Belief // State Representative Michael Howe
Team Player // Scheels
Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year // Brady Nash, CEO of BNG
Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year // Ryan Goodman, President of BNG
2020 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Peter Chamberlain, Co-Founder of WalkWise
Dr. David Wells Belief // Kodee Furst, Co-Founder of Annie Capital
Team Player // Microsoft
Social Entrepreneur of the Year // Kim Pladson, TNT Kid's Fitness & Gymnastics
Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year // Jeff Young, President of Health at WEX
Student Entrepreneur of the Year // Dieumerci Christel, Founder of Enlight
Lifetime Community Impact Award // Lauris Molbert
![46944709562_fcce109382_o (1) 46944709562_fcce109382_o (1)](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/46944709562_fcce109382_o-1-1079x720.jpg)
2019 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Sadiyo Hassan
Social Impact Award // Adam Martin, F5 Project
Team Player Award // Kilbourne Group
Dr. David Wells Belief Award // Roger Larson
Startup of the Year Award // Aldevron
![26809641777_ccb14df705_o 26809641777_ccb14df705_o](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/26809641777_ccb14df705_o-1080x720.jpg)
2018 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Ray Berry, Founder of OmniByte
Social Impact Award // Malini Srivistava, eFargo
Team Player Award // Brian Carroll, HERE Technologies
Kickass Award // Julie Peterson Klein
Dr. David Wells Belief Award // Jim Gartin
Startup of the Year // Jake Joraanstad & Ryan Raguse, Myriad Mobile
![32806224165_ffc7f1ab8c_o 32806224165_ffc7f1ab8c_o](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/32806224165_ffc7f1ab8c_o-scaled.jpg)
2017 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Max Kringen, Founder of Tellwell
Social Impact Award // Joe Burgum & Simone Wai, Folkways
Team Player Award // CoSchedule
Kickass Award // Kirk Anton, Heat Transfer Warehouse
Ashley Morken, Unglued
Startup of the Year Award // National Day Calendar
Belief Award // Bethlehem "Betty" Gronneberg, uCodeGirl
![24654673365_c4489cf637_o 24654673365_c4489cf637_o](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/24654673365_c4489cf637_o-1080x720.jpg)
2016 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year Award // Cooper Bierscheid, Protosthetics
Team Player Award // Botlink
Kickass Award // Eide Bailly
Startup of the Year Award // CoSchedule
Belief Award // Dave and Sammie Binkard
Champion Award // Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors
![16203863689_cfaa217884_o 16203863689_cfaa217884_o](https://www.emergingprairie.com/wp-content/uploads/16203863689_cfaa217884_o-1079x720.jpg)
2015 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year Award // Blaine & Amanda Booher
Team Player Award // Myriad Mobile
Belief Award // Dr. David Wells
Champion Award // Dr. Sue Mathison & Jim Gartin
Entrepreneur of the Year Award // Courtney Evanson