
North Dakota Entrepreneurs: Hardworking, Resilient, and Ready for the Climb!
The Midwest is known for its grit, determination, and folks who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves for a hard day’s work. From bustling farms to small-town bakeries, North Dakotans know what it means to hustle. But how are we faring when it comes to entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurial Boom: 430,000 New Businesses Monthly, But North Dakota Faces Challenges
SimplifyLLC recently reported a staggering 430,000 Americans opening new businesses every month—a 50% increase from 2019. That’s a whole lot of folks diving headfirst into the world of business ownership. But when it comes to where these ambitious entrepreneurs are setting up shop, North Dakota is facing a bit of a hiccup.

In SimplifyLLC’s latest “Best & Worst States for Entrepreneurs in 2025,” North Dakota landed at rank 35, dropping 13 spots from last year. Ouch. The primary culprit? A sharp 30.2-point decline in new business growth.
North Dakota’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Can’t Be Measured by Rankings
But hey, let’s not dwell on the numbers! North Dakotans are made of tougher stuff. Sure, Montana snagged 26th place, and South Dakota cruised into 21st, but rankings don’t measure the heart, creativity, or determination of our state’s entrepreneurs.
We’ve got dreamers opening coffee shops in Williston and Fargo, crafters selling handmade goods in Bismarck, and innovators developing cutting-edge tech in Grand Forks. While new business growth may have slowed, there’s no shortage of ambition here.
So, what’s next? Maybe it’s time to rally around our local entrepreneurs, shop small, and show the rest of the country that North Dakota isn’t backing down. Rankings aside, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the Peace Garden State—and that’s a story worth celebrating.
After all, as any North Dakotan knows, it’s not where you start—it’s how hard you’re willing to work to climb back to the top. Let’s get to it!
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Gallery Credit: Stacker
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