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DEED OSBI Newsletter: October Edition

Updates and Opportunities from Office of Small Business & Innovation

People gather around a table to receive input on their small business during TCSW.

DEED Assists Entrepreneurs During Twin Cities Startup Week

DEED’s Office of Small Business and Innovation was proud to participate in Twin Cities Startup Week. OSBI hosted several events, including an open house at our office in St. Paul, to encourage small business owners to learn about the resources available through the State of Minnesota.

OSBI is made up of Launch Minnesota, the Small Business Assistance Office, the Small Business Development Centers, Community Partnerships and the Child Care Office. Together, our staff members provide a wide range of resources, including funding, consulting, education and resource referrals. We enjoyed connecting with business owners and educating them on some of these exciting opportunities!

Some of the most popular resources at our open house included:

Questions about your small business? Contact us: smallbusiness@state.mn.us

Startup Showcase is Thursday, November 13.

Launch Minnesota's Startup Showcase

Launch Minnesota has selected five medical technology companies to participate in its upcoming Startup Showcase – a virtual event connecting startups and investors to learn about possible opportunities for investment.

After receiving many well-qualified pitches from local startups, Launch MN and its community partners selected five to pitch at the next Startup Showcase.

Startup Showcase is Thursday, November 13 at 1:00 p.m. This is an invite-only event. If you are an investor interested in attending, please email launchminnesota@state.mn.us

Learn more about Startup Showcase

Preparing for Paid Leave

Starting January 1, 2026, Paid Leave will offer payments and job protections so people can take time off work to care for themselves or their loved ones during some of life’s most important moments.

Employers can prepare by taking these three steps now:

Set up your accounts. You need an employer account and an administrator account to meet your responsibilities under Paid Leave.
- Register for an employer account at uimn.org
- Designate a Paid Leave Administrator in your employer account.
- Create a Paid Leave Administrator Account at paidleave.mn.gov.
Notify employees. You must notify your employees about Paid Leave by December 1, 2025.
- Hang the Paid Leave workplace poster.
- Provide individual notices to your employees. Sample notices will be available soon.
Prepare your workplace policies. There are other important decisions you can make today to make Paid Leave work best for your organization.
- Explore decisions you can make about premiums, leave policies and more on the Paid Leave website.

More employer resources and updates available here

Rebuilding Minnesota's Main Street Businesses

DEED’s Main Street Economic Revitalization Program is helping communities across the state revitalize their downtowns one ice cream shop and historic building at a time. With support from this program, towns like Cold Spring and Pine River are transforming neglected spaces into vibrant hubs. Dive into the full story to learn how strategic grant funding is sparking measurable impact in Minnesota communities.

Learn more

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program

Goldman Sachs is accepting applications for 10,000 Small Businesses, a practical business training program that gives participants access to capital providers and personalized support services. Classes are delivered in-person and online. All costs are fully covered by the Goldman Sachs Foundation. The next cohort runs from February 18, 2026 to May 8, 2026. Applications are due November 5.

Learn more

Free Legal Assistance on IP Matters

The Intellectual Property Clinic at the University of Minnesota Law school provides members of the local business community with an opportunity to obtain legal assistance with copyrights, patents, confidentiality obligations, licensing and more. There is no charge to participate in the IP Clinic. Legal assistance is provided by second and third year law students under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

Learn more

Entrepreneurs Organization Accelerator

Entrepreneurs’ Organization Minnesota (EO MN) is part of a global network that supports founders at every stage of growth. The EO Accelerator program is designed for businesses with $250,000 to $1 million in annual revenue and helps emerging leaders succeed. Participants have access to peer groups, mentorship, and more. EO MN is currently accepting applications for the Accelerator.

Learn more