Our office of Small Business and Innovation (OSBI) is thrilled to announce the launch of our “Season of Small Business” campaign. In the coming months, we have a wonderful opportunity to highlight the vital role that entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses play in our communities and economy. This campaign aims to encourage widespread support for these businesses and showcase the robust support network available across the state. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.
How YOU can support the Season of Small Business:
- Please reshare the campaign's social posts and personalize to your community, business or the businesses you serve. Please follow our social channels: Facebook, LinkedIn , Twitter/X and Instagram.
- Use hashtag #MNSmallBizBigImpact to show your support.
- Let us know if there are small business events in your community we can help amplify. You can also post on the statewide calendar.
Season of Small Business Tour in St. Joseph
The Minnesota Small Business Development Center, part of OSBI, partnered with the Small Business Administration, Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation and Central MN SBDC to tour businesses in St. Joseph as part of a statewide tour celebrating local small business growth.
During the visit, which was hosted by St. Cloud State University, the team met with the owners of five local businesses: Bad Habit Brewing Company, W/R Home, Krewe Restaurant, Bruno Press and White Peony Boutique.
SBDCs are federally accredited programs that provide no-cost professional expertise and consulting. SBDC consultants assist entrepreneurs with a range of services such as accounting, marketing, succession planning, business plan development and more.
Contact your local SBDC and learn more.
Our next stop on the Season of Small Business Tour is Lake Street in Mineapolis!
Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants
Launch MN is accepting applications for Innovation Grants through November 29.
Innovation Grants target the most promising innovative, scalable technology businesses in the state. Eligible startups may receive up to $35,000 to cover business expenses such as research and development, employee wages or technical assistance and services.
Since inception, Launch Minnesota has awarded $9.1M to 270 Minnesota businesses through Innovation Grants. More than 60% of these funds were for targeted businesses, which Launch Minnesota defines as companies that are women-owned, BIPOC-owned, veteran-owned, or located in Greater Minnesota.
Learn more
Resources for Healthcare Entrepreneurs
The University of Minnesota's Medical Industry Leadership Institute's Director Jessica Haupt and Dane Stimart of Finnitsea Enterprises are working to identify and assist underrepresented healthcare entrepreneurs in Minnesota. The goal is to help innovators develop their ideas—whether product, service, or startup—into successful businesses, entirely at no cost to them.
This opportunity offers participants access to:
- Educational sessions
- Networking events
- Mentorship from industry experts
- Comprehensive market assessments
Sign up to learn more about this program. This activity is supported, in part, by grant funding from the State of Minnesota.
PowerNorth Virtual Incubator
Do you have an emerging business or solution related to energy, climate, sustainability or cleantech? The PowerNorth Virtual Incubator is a 10-week program tailored for early-stage energy and cleantech entrepreneurs. Applications are due December 6. The program will take place from January to March 2025.
Learn more
Upcoming Events
Find more events on Launch MN's Statewide Startup and Small Business Calendar.
Friday Forum Archive
Launch Minnesota’s Friday Forums are an opportunity for Minnesota’s startup community to learn about new skills, growing industries and trends in technology. We hosted nine Friday Forums in 2024 with topics ranging from crowdfunding to government resources for small businesses.
All of these sessions are archived on our site. Visit this page to watch all of our 2024 Friday Forums.
Dates and topics for 2025 coming soon!
Resources for Entrepreneurs:
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