Austin Steffen

Experience

• 

  Scheels

  Nov 2019 - May 2023

  • Sports Specialist

    Mar 2021 - May 2023

  • Customer Service Representative

    Nov 2019 - Mar 2021
• 

  Dakota Venture Group

  Feb 2020 - Nov 2023

  -Successfully raised private equity through accredited investors-Form and oversee the closing of the firm’s first for-profit fund to generate returns to LPs-Perform Due Diligence of potential investments-Observing Board Seat of Edgewood Real Estate Investment Trust-Center for Innovation board representative -Provide assistance and feedback to accelerators in company pitch practices -Assist the creation of our new for-profit fund’s pitch deck -Oversight of investor relations-Perform company valuations-Teach associates how to pitch a fund to new potential investors -Keep our advisory board up to date-Coordinate and direct advisory board meetings-Speak to our University’s Alumni Association and Foundation while assisting the raise of the University’s fund-Be of service to students in a College of Business business plan competition -Organizer of reunion for eighty individuals including advisors, investors, alumni, and special guests-Promoting small local businesses through free advertisement and exposure to many potential clients-Organize and run meetings for associates and managing directors-Assist in the content creation for a newsletter Show less -Establish, develop, and maintain relationships with other universities, VC funds, accredited investors, advisors, CEO's, and management teams. -Manage, develop, and motivate twenty five managing associates.-Brainstorm and apply ideas to further increase learning development of managing associates.-Conducting managing associate interviews.-Mentoring new managing associates.-Assist chairman with all business development decisions.-Oversight of the development of a fifteen year alumni reunion.-Formed budget for reunion.-Alumni relations-Oversight of marketing committee.-Directed teams in building relationships with potential investors.-Oversight of the fund's social media appearance.-Observing board member of Edgewood REIT Show less -Leadership role and managing associate to the first fully student-run venture capital fund in the country. -Contained $1.4 million invested in various startups from biotech to food services.-Participated in meetings with board members, CEO's and Investors.-Performed detailed analysis on targeted markets for new products.-Coordinated with cross functional teams to better valuation processes.-Performed research on new products and derivatives of products entering the market. -Actively listened to others input on startups.-Screened companies to determine if they were eligible for due diligence.-Presented recommendations to managing directors. Show less

  • Chairman Emeritus

    Jan 2023 - Nov 2023

  • Chairman at Dakota Venture Group

    Aug 2021 - Jan 2023

  • Managing Director of Marketing

    Jan 2021 - Aug 2021

  • Managing Associate

    Feb 2020 - Jan 2021
• 

  Valley Homes Contracting LLC

  Oct 2021 - now

  Founder

  -Running operations of Valley Homes Contracting LLC-Source and bid residential and commercial projects -Projecting company financials-Successfully retaining a skilled partner specialized in the industry-Create operational, partnership, and contract agreements-Establish and maintain relationships with potential and existing clients-Report taxes -Oversee payroll-Project management -Manage subcontractors

• 

  University of North Dakota

  Nov 2022 - May 2023

  • Budget Restructure and Reallocation Committee

    Nov 2022 - May 2023

  • Senate Legislative Affairs Committee Member

    Nov 2022 - May 2023