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Elevate Hennepin is Hennepin County's initiative to help businesses start and grow.
 Elevate Hennepin Business Navigators, Ixchel McKinnie and MayPa Yang, work directly with entrepreneurs to help them identify the right resources, advisors, and next steps.
They shared their best practices for getting started and going further whether you’re using the self‑service resource directory or booking a consultation with a navigator.
 Ebony Eromobor was already juggling a lot—running a mental health practice, supervising clinicians, raising three young children, and leading a community education program. The last thing she thought she had time for was a complex certification process.
But Certified Access Academy made the process doable. The cohort, funded by Hennepin County, is designed to help small and disadvantaged business owners get certified to compete for government and corporate contracts.
“It helped having someone break things down,” she said.
See how that decision paid off fast and how you can join business leaders like Ebony in Certified Access Academy.
Apply today for the next Certified Access Academy
Looking to get your business certified? Apply to be part of the next Certified Access Academy today!
 The 2025 class of CEO Start with their expert facilitators.
Applications are now open for CEO Start. This cohort from Elevate Hennepin is open to anyone in Hennepin County with a great business idea.
Over the course of 11 weeks, participants will closely examine their ideas with peers, through industry research, facilitated discussions, and interviews with potential customers.
Participants will leave the program with a deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable venture, articulate their models, and repeat the process with their next great idea.
Spots are limited and fill quickly for this competitive program. Learn more, see eligibility guidelines and apply today. The next session of CEO Start will run from March 10 to May 19, 2026. In-person sessions will be held in the City of Bloomington.
 The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering approximately $135,000 in grant funding to help Minnesota businesses and organizations purchase bicycles and electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) for commercial use.
This grant offers funding to purchase new bicycles and electric-assisted bicycles. To qualify, the bicycles or e-bikes must be actively used for one or both of the following purposes:
- Delivery services: moving property or goods
- Commercial services: moving equipment, supplies, or tools for installation, repair, or maintenance job
You may also include the cost of certain accessories in your request. You can ask for up to $200 per new bike or e-bike for biking accessories like helmets, lights, locks, and bags.
Apply today, applications close on January 15.
Thank you for being a part of Elevate Hennepin. We are always evolving our services, resources, and outreach to best serve the Hennepin County business community.
You can help us shape our newsletter in 2026 by taking our quick reader survey. It’s just five questions and will help us continue meeting your needs.
 Join Get Started on January 21 at noon. This no-cost, 90-minute virtual interactive session is designed for anyone with a business idea looking for a jumpstart.
Participants will learn from expert facilitator, Angel Antje, and Elevate Hennepin Business Navigators on how to use the Business Model Canvas, an efficient method for building the initial draft of a business plan.
Participants will leave the program with materials, resources, and a process to assess their business idea.
Online event, January 21, 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Employment tax seminar
Attend this seminar to learn about your employment tax requirements with real world situations. Join the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program, Minnesota Department of Revenue and Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Insurers Association for this free seminar in Minnetonka.
In-person event, January 9, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive Minnetonka, Minnesota, 55305
Register today
CEO Start information session
Learn about CEO Start, an 11-week, in-person cohort that prepares aspiring and new entrepreneurs with insights, relationships, and tools to help them turn their ideas into viable businesses. Join Elevate Hennepin staff to see if this cohort is right for you and how to apply.
Online event, January 14, 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Register today
How small businesses can build visibility and trust online
Learn the essential building blocks of effective social media marketing: how to choose the right platforms for your goals, create meaningful content that resonates, maintain consistency without burning out. This event is presented by Elevate Hennepin education partner SCORE.
Online event, January 14, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Register today
Certified Access Academy information session
Learn all about Certified Access Academy in an informational session featuring cohort facilitators.
Online event, January 22, 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Register today
2026 WE Disrupt Conference
The WE* (Women Entrepreneurs) Disrupt Conference is an annual event focused on supporting Minnesota’s emerging entrepreneurs. Join for a day of insightful panel discussions, interactive workshops, and invaluable connections.
In-person event, February 4, 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Southeast Oak Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455
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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