We Asked, You Answered: Insights from MN Businesses
The Office of Small Business and Innovation (OSBI) and partners across the state recently surveyed entrepreneurs and small businesses to better understand their needs. Nearly half of the respondents were owners of early-stage businesses, while 38% had been operating for three or more years. We will use this data and insight to improve the services we provide.
If you would like to share your input, complete the survey.
Grants to Provide Technical Assistance to Small Businesses
OSBI is seeking proposals from individual organizations, regional coalitions and statewide entrepreneurial support organizations to provide no-cost small business development and technical assistance services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Applications are due by September 19 at 5:00 p.m. and the informational webinar is August 19 at 1:00 p.m.
Learn more
Grammy's Town Opened with Help of SBDC
After nearly three decades running a daycare, Alexandria’s Chris Svee was ready for a new adventure, but she wanted to continue working with kids. Inspired by her granddaughter, she opened Grammy’s Town, an indoor play space and birthday party venue, this summer.
With help from the West Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Chris was able to make her dream a reality. SBDC consultant Calvin Guyer helped her navigate the financial side of launching a business by aiding with spreadsheets, pricing models and cash flow. “Even now that I’m open, they’re still helping,” Chris said. “I would highly, highly recommend the SBDC to anyone starting a small business.”
 From left: Tom Steinmetz (Executive Director, Healthy Communities Initiative), Keshuna Williams (DEED grant manager), and Kelsey Duffy (Network Impact Coordinator, Growing Up Healthy) outside the new Little Scholars Academy location.
New Child Care Center Opens in Faribault
Our Child Care Office supports and promotes quality child care expansion and accessibility for underserved communities statewide. Earlier this summer, the team celebrated the opening of Little Scholars Academy in Faribault. OSBI’s Child Care team partnered with Faribault Cares and Healthy Community Initiative on the year-long project.
Learn more
Congratulations to Launch MN Innovation Awardees!
MN Cup, the largest statewide startup competition in the nation, announced this week that 27 companies will move on to the finalist round of the annual competition.
The competition began in May with 90 companies across MN Cup's nine divisions. Each division has now been narrowed down to three companies per division. At the end of August, the companies will present to judges, who will select a division winner to receive $25,000 and compete for an additional $50,000 grant prize during Twin Cities Startup Week in October.
Launch Minnesota and DEED support MN Cup by facilitating connections between competition organizers and entrepreneurial support organizations throughout the state.
Congratulations to all the finalists, especially the following Launch MN grant recipients!
Explore the full finalist list
Minnesota Small Business Call - Essentials of Marketing
Join DEED for our next monthly Small Business Call! On September 9 at 2:00 p.m., we’ll be discussing the Essentials of Marketing with Pauline Allen, the former VP of Global Business and Marketing for 3M. Pauline is also a volunteer facilitator, mentor and trainer for MBMentors, a Twin Cities-based organization providing small business owners with no-cost mentorship and business assistance services.
Learn more
New Legal Help for Minnesota Nonprofits
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and LegalCORPS have launched a new initiative to provide no-cost legal services to all Minnesota nonprofits. This effort responds to the growing demand for legal support amid shifting state and federal policies. Nonprofits can now access expert guidance on compliance, governance and other critical legal matters.
Learn more
Upcoming Events
Find more events on Launch MN's Statewide Startup and Small Business Calendar.
Resources for Entrepreneurs:
|
