Minnesota Small Business Bulletin-September 2016

Small Business Bulletin

September 2016

Interns Have a Big Impact at Small Firms

Minneapolis Star Tribune-8/22/16
The owners of Mobile Composer, a three-year-old firm in the Grain Exchange Building in downtown Minneapolis, say the four interns they hired this summer were critical to the success of the business.

The interns were hired with financial assistance from a state program called SciTechsperience, which targets small engineering and technology companies that don't have the resources to pay full-time interns.
 

Minnesota Cup

Minnesota Cup logo

Minnesota Cup, considered the largest statewide venture-capital competition in the country, recently named eight finalists from among 1,500 applicants seeking $405,000 in prize money. The 2016 winner will be announced in Minneapolis on Thursday night, Sept. 22. 

Here are the finalists by category:
Activated Research Co., energy, water and clean technology
SelfEco Garden, food, beverage and agriculture
Berd Spokes, general
Vugo, high tech
StemoniX, life science and health IT
Asiya, social-entrepreneurship
Minnealloy Magnetics, student
ExpressionMed, youth




PRESS RELEASES

New Grant Program Provides Funding for Apprenticeships in Five Industries

Minnesota employers are invited to apply for grants to help them create or expand registered apprenticeship programs in five industries: advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care, information technology and transportation

Over a five-year period, the Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative (MAI) will engage more than 100 employers in developing registered programs to recruit, train and retain 1,000 new apprentices in 30 high-growth occupations. To help offset costs, employers will receive $5,000 for each MAI-registered apprentice.

Go here for details and program application forms.
  

DEED Launches New Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Program

DEED is seeking applications from nonprofit groups to serve as certified lenders under the agency’s new Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Program.

The program will provide loans to new and existing businesses owned by people of color, low-income people, women, veterans and people with disabilities.

SERVING OUR CUSTOMERS

Twin Cities Startup Week logo

To celebrate Twin Cities Startup Week, DEED is hosting a free event on Thursday, Sept. 22, to promote startup programs offered by the agency. DEED provides startup businesses assistance ranging from technical support to financing programs. The event, which is free, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at DEED's downtown headquarters in the First National Bank Building. Register here.