Rapid City, SD · Startup Studio · Est. 2019
Meet
Wildfire
Labs
At Wildfire Labs, expertise, ambition, and community intersect transparently. Guided by AI-powered tools and an expert team, we make timeless startup journeys — guiding founders to launch something that elevates their life and livelihood.
Learn More
Discover a new way of building a startup with Wildfire's structured simplicity. Rooted in entrepreneurship and AI-powered development, our program combines timeless process, community, and mindful innovation — helping founders go from idea to revenue in just 6 months.
Inside Wildfire
Labs
Labs
01
Our Vision
We see a world where every expert with a great idea has the tools, team, and process to build something real. Wildfire exists to close the gap between expertise and execution — bringing AI-powered software building to founders of all backgrounds.
02
Our Mission
We are dedicated to crafting a studio that blends founder-centered design with expert mentorship and thoughtful materials. We shape environments that feel purposeful — designed to spark, built to last, made to connect.
Startup Studio•
Revenue in 6 Months•
AI-Powered Build•
Rapid City SD•
Startup Studio•
Revenue in 6 Months•
AI-Powered Build•
Rapid City SD•
Studio & Soul
Passion in founder-first methodology, our values are thoughtfully designed — creating harmony, comfort, and a quiet sense of belonging.
A startup studio helps founders "cross the chasm" — build their product and generate revenue — by augmenting their expertise with critical tools and resources. At Wildfire, we provide everything needed to move quickly and confidently.
Purposeful Process01
Timeless Support02
AI-First Build03
Thoughtful Go-to-Market04
Community Connection05
Innovation Thinking06
Founder Mindset07
Building as Experience08
Inspired by a founder-first philosophy, we believe in building companies that feel personal, purposeful, and beautifully made. Wildfire Labs — bringing harmony, community, and the art of company building to every space.
Founders
Behind
The Vision
Behind
The Vision
Each member of our team brings a unique perspective, bound by a shared passion for helping founders build software companies that feel purposeful, impactful, and beautifully made.
Founded by a team that proves the belief that true beauty lives in simplicity — shaped with precision and purpose. Every design reflects a commitment to essential forms.
Co-Founder
Todd Gagne
Co-Founder
Aaron Grinager
Co-Founder
Mike Vetter
Partner
Eric Martz
Limited Partner
Emily Wick
Technology Lead
Priya Singh
The Awards
THE AWARDS
Wildfire Labs' approach to startup building is globally recognized for its structured simplicity and real results. Our alumni have built, launched, and raised capital across multiple industries.
See Other Awards ↗
🏔️ SD Mines Award
🔥 Top Startup Studio
🚀 Black Hills Innovation
💡 AI-First Pioneer
🌲 Rapid City Champion
Build · Launch · Revenue•
Wildfire Labs•
Your Expertise + Our Process•
6 Months to Revenue•
Build · Launch · Revenue•
Wildfire Labs•
Your Expertise + Our Process•
6 Months to Revenue•
Open for Collaboration
Create With
INTENTION
INTENTION
Design should have more than utility. At Wildfire, we help you design a company with passion, purpose, and precision — making it something extraordinary, every decision counts.
How We Work
The Wildfire
Studio Process
Studio Process
At Wildfire, our mission is to help you reach revenue in just 6 months. A clear, actionable framework with defined milestones, tailored resources, and expert guidance — giving you the tools to move forward quickly and confidently.
01
Clear 3-Phase Process
Customer Discovery → Build → Go-to-Market. A clear roadmap from concept to first paying customer and beyond — each phase designed to keep you moving forward with confidence and momentum.
02
AI-First App Build
What used to take months and $100K+ is now an 8–12 week build process. Our expert AI-first app build team transforms your expertise into a product customers love — fast.
03
Go To Market
Building a great app isn't enough — you need to tell the world. Our unique GTM process, AI tools, and experienced team help you launch fast and with reach. Revenue, not just users.
04
Wildfire Academy
Our comprehensive platform keeps you on track with lessons, templates, and AI prompts. Validating your idea, building your app, or preparing to launch — the Academy gives you the tools to succeed.
05
1:1 Mentoring
Personalized guidance from the Wildfire Labs team. Get answers to your questions, actionable feedback, and strategic insights to help you overcome challenges and keep building momentum.
06
Founder Community
Building a software company can feel overwhelming — but not here. At Wildfire, you'll join a thriving community of like-minded founders, sharing insights and expertise. We're all in this together.
"I'm not a tech person, so when I had an idea for an app, I had no idea where to start. Wildfire Labs made it easy with their process and clear path to follow."
Tyler Olson — Co-Founder, The Journeyman
Expert Network
Meet the Wildfire
Advisors
Advisors
At Wildfire you'll be connected to people who can help you grow and prepare for scale — seasoned professionals with real-world experience across software, enterprise, and startups.
David Hanna
CPA · Entrepreneur · Software
B2B software reseller founder with 30%+ margins. After 10 years in public accounting, built and sold a successful SaaS company. Brings software and entrepreneurship experience to Wildfire mentorship.
Trevor Davenport
25 Years · Enterprise · Program Mgmt
25 years executing enterprise projects and building top-performing program management teams. MS Engineering, SD School of Mines. Passionate about fast iteration and building trust through collaboration.
Raj Rajesh
IBM · SAP/Concur · Microsoft
20+ years driving sales growth through partnerships at IBM, SAP/Concur, and Microsoft. MS Electrical Engineering (AI) from University of Washington. Brings deep GTM and enterprise sales expertise.
Sanjay Almeida
CPO · SAP · Kellogg MBA
Chief Product Officer at SAP responsible for $3T commerce network. Led product strategy for SAP Concur. MBA from Kellogg Business School. Deep product leadership across global enterprise software.
Chris Borkenhagen
COO · AuthenticID · SVP SAP
COO at AuthenticID. Former CIO at Docker and SVP IT Global at SAP Concur. 25+ years in enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and global operations management across US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Brian Butterfield
25 Years · Product · Engineering
25 years balancing software engineering and entrepreneurship. Product engineering, design, and operational experience spanning early-stage startups to enterprise software. Founder at heart.
Wildfire Alumni
PropertyMeld
SeamReaders
Eval
Query AI
Airtonomy
Flywheel
Our Home
Gateway to
the Black Hills
the Black Hills
Wildfire Labs is located in Rapid City, South Dakota — an emerging hub for innovation and entrepreneurship nestled in the heart of the Black Hills.
Rapid City offers the perfect environment to grow your startup while maintaining the balance needed for long-term success.
An uncrowded, outdoor-friendly city with miles of walking and mountain biking trails just minutes from Wildfire Labs
Easy access to world-class skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and off-road adventures in the Black Hills
A supportive community of entrepreneurs and innovators building a thriving tech ecosystem in the region
Collaborative workspaces with 24/7 secure access for your founding team
Ready?
Create Your
Own
Startup.
Own
Startup.
Think your idea is too wild? Think again — see how Wildfire Labs can help you turn your expertise into a revenue-generating software company in just 6 months.
Get in
Touch.
Touch.
We'd love to hear about your startup idea. Fill out the form and we'll be in contact — or reach out directly below.
Email: info@wildfirelabs.io
Address: 605 Quincy St., Rapid City, SD 57701
Call: +1 (605) 555-1234
Customer Support · Available M–F
Apply Now →
We respond within 2–3 business days. All submissions are reviewed by the Wildfire team.