 Congratulations to the first two graduating classes of CEO Start!
These 20 entrepreneurs came together to validate their business ideas together with guidance from the nationally recognized CO.STARTERS curriculum. Over 10 weeks, they worked together to test their ideas through interviews, peer-to-peer conversation, research, and facilitated discussions.
Each graduate has a great idea. One built an app to promote creativity in kids, another is growing her tax preparation and planning business, and another is building a llama event business. They all leave the program with a solid foundation of business fundamentals, access to resources, a community of support, and a clear understanding of what to do next.
CEO Start is the latest group-learning opportunity in the Elevate Hennepin CEO Growth Series that also includes CEO Now, which brings together established businesses looking to build systems and process, and CEO Next, an opportunity for seasoned business leaders to work through challenges of scale with their peers.
 We strive to make Elevate Hennepin a central hub for a wide variety of resources from expert consulting, focused group learning, exceptional business events, and a collection of state, federal, and city resources.
There are a lot of ways to move your business forward, but if you’re stuck identifying your best next step, our Business Navigators can offer guidance to find the right Elevate Hennepin resource to get started.
All our Business Navigators have a deep understanding of the platform, our advisors, and the wide array of Elevate Hennepin and other resources.
In just 15 minutes, these Business Navigators can identify the ideal next step for you and your business.
 Don’t miss the next Tech Essentials workshop series from Elevate Hennepin advisor Asian Media Access (AMA). Tune in for essential knowledge about doing digital business today and insight into implementing new technologies in your business.
Each Wednesday for the next eight weeks, business technology experts will walk entrepreneurs though key topics from digital strategy to AI and digital advertising processes that work today.
Topics for each of the upcoming workshops include:
- April 17 – Market research and building a digital strategy
- April 24 – Website design and development with WordPress
- May 1 – Search engine optimization (SEO) for Google and Bing
- May 8 – Social media marketing and management
- May 15 – Online advertising and pay per click (PPC) on Google
- May 22 – Email marketing essentials
- May 29 – Leveraging ChatGPT and AI tools
- June 5 – Website traffic analytics, measuring success
Hennepin County business owners can also qualify for technology reimbursements and no-cost WordPress development support.
Sign up today and stay tuned for further events around branding and technology from Neighborhood Development Committee (NDC) starting in May.
 Money smart for small business: tax planning and reporting
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration's Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin District Offices for the FDIC Money Smart for Small Businesses. This session will examine tax planning and reporting.
Online event, April 10, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Register today
25th Annual SADBOC procurement fair
Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies and prime contractors can learn more at this trade fair. This event will provide small businesses an opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 60 federal, state and local agencies, and organizations and access technical assistance.
Online event, April 11, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Register today
Provisional patent workshop
The Inventor Assistance Program at LegalCorps will hold an informational workshop for innovators wanting to learn more about preparing and filing a provisional patent. Learn from a seasoned attorney why filing a provisional patent might be a route you want to take and how to do this yourself.
In-person event, April 11, 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Hennepin County Central Library
Register today
XYZ and Alphas - Why all generations matter in marketing
There are more than five generations in the workforce. That’s all kind of buying power and a whole lot of different communication tactics to sort through. Examine how each generation is different, yet similar, and how you can account for their communication needs in your business with Elevate Hennepin educational partner SCORE.
Online event, April 16, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Register today
Money smart for small business: selling your business and succession planning
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration's Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin District Offices for the FDIC Money Smart for Small Businesses. This session will cover best practices for succession planning and selling a business.
Online event, April 17, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Register today
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