 When Pizza Karma founder and “chief pizza officer” Rajesh Selvaraj joined Hennepin County's CEO Now cohort, things were going well for the company. But Rajesh knew he and the leadership team had to work on consistency and the underlying structure of the business to meet their big goals.
“It was kind of like re-learning alphabets from A to Z,” said Rajesh. “I knew all the 26 letters, but everything was scrambled. We had the fundamentals, but we didn't have a structure.”
See how the Eden Prairie-based company became more consistent, efficient, and outlined a solid strategy for ongoing growth in the CEO Now cohort program.
 Three groups of incredible entrepreneurs and business owners graduated from Elevate Hennepin cohorts in just the past two weeks. More than 50 graduates celebrated their final sessions of CEO Next, Certified Access Academy, and CEO Start.
Congratulations to those solving challenges of larger businesses in CEO Next, those getting through the certification process in Certified Access Academy, and building the foundation for their business ideas in CEO Start.
Join the Elevate Hennepin cohort yourself, keep up with this newsletter or express your interest in joining the next group via the links above.
Apply now for the June CEO Start Bootcamp in Bloomington.
This cohort opportunity is a two-day, bootcamp-style learning opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to work collaboratively with peers and expert facilitators to strategize, problem solve, and apply foundational business tactics to validate their idea or venture.
The next in-person session will be hosted by the City of Bloomington on June 14 and June 15, 2025.
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 The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), has awarded $2 million in Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) program funding to six development projects that prioritize walkable, mixed-use communities that leverage high-quality transit service.
Funding for the six projects will support 110 new or retained jobs and create a combined 149 housing units and 48,800 square feet of commercial space, including five affordable commercial spaces.
Take a deep dive into the anatomy of an impactful company pitch.
This interactive workshop from Elevate Hennepin cohort partner Certified Access will equip business owners with actionable strategies to craft and deliver a persuasive business pitch that resonates with potential buyers, partners, and investors. There will be an opportunity for a few business owners to pitch their company live.
Online event, June 26, 10 a.m.
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3 presentations you need to build your brand
In this interactive session from Elevate Hennepin education partner SCORE, learn about three key presentations that grow your thought leadership and build your brand. Learn the unique purpose, content, and delivery you need for each presentation.
Online event, May 22, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Register today
The path to a patent: understanding claims in an application
Join an ongoing presentation series from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In this session, experts will discuss the parts of the claim, show examples of claim illustrations from issued U.S. patents, and help you develop a better appreciation of how a patent examiner views a claim.
Online event, May 22, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Register today
Grow a business resource fair
If you are starting a business or looking to grow your business, this event from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is for you! Speak face-to-face with representatives from organizations committed to supporting small business owners including Elevate Hennepin staff and advisors WomenVenture, Latino Economic Development Center, and LegalCORPS.
In-person event, May 30, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
CareerForce
4220 West Old Shakopee Road, Suite 200 Bloomington, Minnesota, 55437
Register today
MinnPACE: Energy efficiency financing
Join this webinar hosted by MinnPACE to learn about this unique financing that helps businesses make energy-efficiency improvements to their buildings. Eligible properties for MinnPACE financing include office buildings, industrial/manufacturing, multifamily housing, buildings under nonprofit ownership, and places of worship.
Online event, June 5, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Register today
By investing in business owners, Hennepin County is building a foundation to create a more inclusive and thriving economy that strengthens communities.
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