For our March Member Spotlight we talked to SoDak Solutions, a consulting service founded in 2023 by Ron Utecht and Barb Haberer that specializes in guiding visionaries through the journey from early-stage research to product development in the fields of biotechnology, medical devices, and drug development.
Tell us about SoDak Solutions.
SoDak Solutions was founded in 2023 by Ron Utecht and Barb Haberer to help visionaries bring their ideas to life. With over 30 years of experience in the bio field, we’ve navigated the challenges of research and development firsthand. Before launching SoDak Solutions, we built a series of successful companies focused on bringing a novel combination product through the R&D phases and into clinical trials.
Having lived the realities of R&D in the Upper Plains, we recognized a need for experienced guidance in product development, from concept to clinical realization. Our expertise bridges both the scientific and business challenges that come with developing new technologies. With deep scientific backgrounds and real-world business acumen, we provide a unique, research-driven approach that ensures entrepreneurs and scientists can successfully bring their innovations to market.
What products/services do you offer?
Each client we work with brings a unique product and skill set, requiring a customized approach. We specialize in guiding innovators through the R&D process, ensuring their vision progresses from concept through execution to commercialization. Commercialization can take the form of product sales, licensing, or investment.
One of our core services is non-biased technology and product evaluation, helping clients formalize their concepts by identifying potential gaps in their technology, assessing the intellectual property landscape, and evaluating market viability. Beyond evaluation, we assist in structuring a product development strategy, outlining key milestones, commercialization goals, regulatory pathways, and quality documentation needs—critical steps for securing investment, licensing a product, or planning an exit strategy.
Our expertise spans the development of new chemicals, drugs, and devices, incorporating rigorous testing, intellectual property protection, and strategic positioning for investors and industry stakeholders. By leveraging this experience, we provide the insight and support needed to turn groundbreaking ideas into viable products.
Why is Nebraska an important location for SoDak Solutions?
SoDak Solutions is based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and considers the Upper Great Plains our primary service territory. Nebraska plays a vital role in this regional ecosystem due to its strong business environment, diverse industries, and connections to national and multinational companies. The state’s growing investment community actively supports innovation and entrepreneurship, creating new opportunities for businesses like ours.
Additionally, Nebraska’s robust university system provides both ideas and infrastructure that help drive a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. These strengths not only offer potential new clients but also provide valuable expertise and resources that can contribute to the growth of South Dakota’s bio-innovation sector.
Who are your customers and where are they located?
One of the most exciting aspects of our work is the diversity of ideas, products, and challenges we encounter. Our clients range from individual innovators to established businesses, and they come from across South Dakota as well as regions like the Twin Cities and Boston. We work with startups, academic research centers, research parks, and established companies—ranging from pre-revenue ventures to income generating businesses.
Our client base is equally diverse in experience, from foreign companies establishing a U.S. presence to first-time entrepreneurs and students launching their first venture. The consulting world offers new experiences every day, and that’s what makes our work so rewarding.
One of our recent success stories is InovaSkin, a company that was just a few weeks old when it won first place in the 2025 South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Competition. Seeing an idea move from concept to its first production run and gain validation is incredibly inspiring.
(More about InovaSkin: https://southdakotagiantvision.com/2025-giant-vision-winners-announced/)
How does SoDak Solutions approach client relationships and project execution?
At SoDak Solutions, our client relationships are built on our core values of honesty, integrity, and scientific rigor. Rather than forcing ideas into a predefined model, we tailor our approach to fit the vision and goals of each client. Our clients can expect expertise, superior talent, and high-quality work at every stage of development.
We ensure that products meet a verified market need and that each client has a viable business strategy to move forward. While virtual communication is valuable for efficiency, we believe that in-person interaction—especially hands-on engagement with products—is often essential to keep projects on track. However, we also embrace digital tools to ensure timely and cost-effective communication.
What are some common challenges your clients face, and how does SoDak Solutions assist in overcoming them?
As we work with our clients, we become deeply invested in their success. A rejected grant application or a failed test can be devastating for a first-time entrepreneur, but we provide a steady, experienced voice to help adjust their path forward. It’s incredibly rewarding when a client tells us, “It meant so much to have you believe in me.” Sometimes, moral support is just as important as technical and business expertise.
Two universal challenges for innovators are funding and time. We help our clients overcome these obstacles by focusing on milestone-driven progress, risk reduction, and demonstrating clear value. These efforts improve their chances of securing non-dilutive funding such as SBIR grants and make them more attractive to traditional investors.
The time demands of entrepreneurship are another challenge with no easy solution. While we can’t add hours to the day, we help clients develop efficient project plans and support their efforts to build the right team for their emerging businesses.
What else would you like to include?
As a small, hands-on team with experience across every stage of product development—from discovery to licensing—we are committed to providing top-tier services while building strong, supportive relationships with entrepreneurs. Our extensive network allows us to bring in specialized consultants as needed, ensuring we can address any challenge along the way.
At SoDak Solutions, we don’t just help develop products—we help build the future of innovation.