ABERDEEN, S.D. – Two finalists have been selected to compete in the South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Competition, one in the Student Division and one in the Open Division

Student Finalist
Diana Haile - Northern State University
Business Idea: Yuth, Inc.

Haile’s innovative concept, Yuth, Inc., reimagines how mental health is addressed in education by making emotional well-being as integral to schools as textbooks and classrooms. Utilizing cutting-edge artificial intelligence, Yuth provides early detection, personalized interventions, and actionable insights to empower schools and colleges to support students proactively. Yuth works to connect education and mental health, helping students build resilience and communities thrive.

“Mental health is a growing concern, yet it remains a taboo topic for many. With Yuth, I want to change that by making mental health support more accessible and empowering students to seek help without fear or stigma. Being a finalist in the Giant Vision competition is more than just a milestone—it’s a step toward breaking barriers and driving meaningful change,” said Diana.

Open Competition Finalist
Tiffany Hoeft
Business: Minds Matter

Minds Matter, created by Tiffany Hoeft, focuses on providing evaluations and therapy to prevent dementia and cognitive decline in rural South Dakota. Minds Matter began serving the Aberdeen area in May 2023, offering dementia care and therapy. The business helps residents access these essential services locally, so they don’t have to leave their communities for support.

“It’s truly exciting to have this opportunity to showcase the incredible innovation and creativity happening right here in Northeast South Dakota. I hope this achievement inspires others in our community to pursue their own business ideas. I’m deeply grateful for the support and programming provided by the Northern Innovation and Startup Center, especially Bea Smith and Sal Villegas, as well as Kelly Weaver from GrowSD—they gave me the encouragement and confidence I needed to enter this competition and believe in my business vision.”

The South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Competition encourages innovation and entrepreneurship statewide, offering participants the opportunity to present their ideas and business plans to a panel of judges. The event will take place in February, and finalists will compete for significant cash prizes to help bring their ideas to life.