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Greetings Hennepin County business community. In this week’s newsletter, we invite you to read about the following topics:

• Meet your new advisors
• Apply soon for HR Next
• Apply today for Certified Access Academy
• Elevate Answers: Who is your customer? 
• Event Spotlight: Spring BETA applications

If you know someone who would benefit from the information covered in this week’s newsletter, please forward it to them.

12 new Elevate Hennepin advisors

Hennepin County is proud to introduce 12 new expert advisors and consultants that bring even deeper business support to the Elevate Hennepin advisor network. These professionals bring a wealth of knowledge in business strategy, marketing, financial management, technology, legal services, and more.

Hennepin County businesses can access up to 25 hours of consulting with each of these new advisors all at no cost.

HR Next applications closing soon

Applications for Hennepin County's HR Next opportunity are closing soon. Apply today or share this email with someone in your network that could benefit from this opportunity. 

This group-learning opportunity from Elevate Hennepin empowers business leaders with no-cost consulting, data-informed tactics, and strategies to solve workforce challenges and improve overall business health.

Spots are limited and fill quickly for this competitive program. Learn more, see eligibility guidelines and apply by February 25. The next session of HR Next will run from April through November. 

Apply for Certified Access Academy

Get your business certified in the next Certified Access Academy. 

Certified Access Academy, sponsored by Hennepin County, a six-week cohort-based training opportunity to support disadvantaged businesses in their efforts to become certified to compete for government and corporate contracts.

In Certified Access Academy, participants will join a virtual cohort for to work with experienced advisors to fast-track the completion of the Central Certification Program (CERT) as well as the State of Minnesota Office of State Procurement certification applications. Getting certified can help small businesses compete for contracts and open the door to sustained relationships with government buyers.

The virtual cohort will run from Thursday, April 3, 2025, through Thursday, May 15, 2025. 

Attend a Certified Access Academy information session

Join Certified Access staff for an information session to learn about the Certified Access Academy. 

Online event, February 27, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
No cost

Elevate Answers: Who is your customer?

Identifying, confirming, and reaffirming your target market is an essential part of not just marketing but all business strategy.

Block time to do the research, chat with customers, and dig into the data to keep up with who your customer is and how it’s evolving. For marketing, break your audience down into groups by age, location, or interests, so you can tailor your message perfectly. And for overall strategy, make sure your offerings match or if you need to evolve with the market.

Curious about how to get even more targeted? Reach out to an Elevate Hennepin business strategy advisor and discover how to identify, confirm, and keep up with your target market.   

Spring BETA applications open

BETA, made possible from strategic partners DEED and US Bank, supports early stage accelerators for technology founders and supports three spring programs for tech-focused entrepreneurs. 

BETA Cohort: A free, non-dilutive accelerator program that puts founders front and center to Minnesota's technology and innovation community.