Signed Up Sports is a comprehensive service that supports coaches, athletic directors, and business owners nationwide in managing their athletic camps. They assist with registration, data management, payment processing, and marketing—all at no cost to the clients. Something you may not know is that Signed Up Sports is one of several software companies getting its start in the heart of downtown Rapid City.
Its founder, Jared Tiefenthaler, is an entrepreneur armed with a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship. He has double-down on that degree with plenty of experience. In fact, he has successfully established and managed multiple ventures. Currently, he is the founder of Black Hills Social Media Management, a digital marketing company known for its effective strategies.
Jared’s innovation also extends to Seam Readers, a pioneering baseball vision training company, and most recently, Signed Up Sports. His dedication to both business and family life, with a happy marriage to Stephanie Tiefenthaler and two children, underscores his exceptional qualities as an entrepreneur. Jared’s journey, marked by innovation, dedication, and a strong family commitment, continues to shape the business landscape, establishing him as a prominent figure in entrepreneurship. “All glory to God,” replied Jared, when asked the secret to his entrepreneurial success and prowess.
When Jared was in the concept stage of Signed Up Sports, he found help through Wildfire Labs. Wildfire’s program helped Jared map customer pain points to an app, beta test with customers, create a go-to-market plan, and gain its first customers. Team building was key, so Wildfire connected Jared to developers at South Dakota School of Mines. This connection resulted in Signed Up Sports’ first hire – Brian – a developer from SD Mines who worked on the Signed Up Sports app during his senior year.
“The entrepreneurial spirit thrives here, creating a supportive atmosphere. Everyone is eager to assist one another,” he said, reflecting on why chose Rapid City. “This community values principles of faith and family above all else, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.” Jared also pointed out the value of Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology driving innovation. As a result, the area is experiencing a rapid expansion in the business and technology sectors. “Beyond its economic potential, the natural beauty of the region captivates me, making every day a joy to behold amidst the stunning landscapes of the Black Hills.”
As Signed Up Sports looks to the future, the primary focus is extending assistance to schools and teams nationwide. “We aim to expand our reach and provide support to athletic programs across the country, streamlining their operations and enhancing their overall experience,” Jared explained. “We hold a special commitment to our home state of South Dakota, prioritizing support for all schools within the region. By focusing on our local community first, we aim to strengthen connections and make a meaningful impact on the sporting landscape of South Dakota, paving the way for broader outreach and growth opportunities in the future.”
Wildfire Labs is a software accelerator in Rapid City that helps founders turn an idea into a business with revenue in 6 months. Wildfire includes a founder-focused app that provides a detailed roadmap to guide entrepreneurs through the build and launch process. During the program experienced Wildfire Partners who are entrepreneurs themselves provide 1:1 mentoring. Mentoring is complimented by Wildfire University sessions from industry experts to help them learn key CEO skills. They are also able to tap into the services and support of Elevate Rapid City. Wildfire provides an experienced development team to select startups to get apps built rapidly. Startups that graduate from Wildfire have beta customers onboarded and are ready to scale up and raise capital.