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Having the tools and techniques to succeed is essential
for business owners hoping to make their business thrive.
CEO Next Business Institute is a regional, no-cost program that provides cohort learning, advanced research, and expert forums to help growing companies build systems to scale their business. The program offers three lines of service:
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System for Integrated Growth: 30 hours per participating CEO of intensive, advanced research
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CEO round table sessions: eight half-day sessions for the CEOs of selected core companies
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CEO forum events: eight sessions for participating CEOs and other second-stage companies
This program is available at no-cost to qualifying Saint Paul businesses through a partnership between Hennepin County and Ramsey County. To be eligible, your business must have:
- 10–99 employees
- Revenue between $1M and $50M
- Readiness to transition from small to large — past start-up stage but not yet mature
- Appetite and aptitude for growth
Start your application now by completing this short form. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by Sunday, September 15. Have questions or want to learn more? Sign up to attend the CEO Next Information Session on Thursday, September 5 at 9 a.m. at the Ridgedale Library.
If your business doesn’t meet the above criteria, you may be qualified for CEO Now, a cohort and class-based companion program for emerging growth-minded business owners and founders.
Since 2012, CEO Next has empowered more than 290 leaders with skills and technical advising to move their businesses forward. For example, KC Kye (the founder of K-Mama Sauce, pictured above at the Saint Paul Farmers' Market) leaned on fellow business owners for support and was able break through in grocery stores, Target, and Walmart.
When asked if he had one piece of advice for other local business owners, Kye replied: “Think about the resources you already have around you: social, financial, and educational. Also, do everything you can to get into CEO Next.”
Don’t wait to take your business to the Next level — apply today!
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Reminder! Saint Paul Business Awards nominations due August 23
Uplift and support Saint Paul businesses by nominating
or applying for one of five Saint Paul Business Awards categories. The 2024 Business Awards nomination
period ends on Friday, August 23 at 12 p.m. |
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Latest update on the PROMISE Act grants
We've got an update on the MN PROMISE Act grants! Round 1 applicants should have been notified by July 31 to learn if they will progress to the next review stage or be invited to opt in to apply again for the next grant round. The awardees for the first round of funding will be notified by the end of August. The next grant round is tentatively planned for late 2024. Sign up for the MN PROMISE Act newsletter to stay in the loop.
Get free business counseling through Open to Business program
The Open to Business program provides direct technical assistance and other forms of support to small business owners and entrepreneurs at no cost. All current business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs intending to establish, purchase, or improve a business in Saint Paul are eligible and encouraged to participate. View the August office hours schedule.
Access free legal services from LegalCORPS
The Entrepreneurs of Color program is a LegalCORPS initiative to make business law services accessible, equitable, and inclusive. The program provides free legal support and business law resources to small business owners and those who would like to start a small business who are from historically marginalized communities. Fill out the intake form to request assistance.
Accelerate your startup's success with the BETA Cohort
The BETA Cohort is a free, accelerator program that puts founders front and center to Minnesota's technology and innovation community. Over the course of the program, participants will gain valuable insight on startup strategy and practical startup skills from thought leaders, participate in the BETA Showcase, and much more. Applications are due by Friday, August 16.
Free recycling and organics bins for Saint Paul small businesses
The BizRecycling Bin-Only Grant is available to small businesses to improve recycling or organics (food scraps) collections. If your Saint Paul business has an annual gross revenue of less than $1,000,000, you may order up to $2,500 in bins and equipment for managing trash, recycling, and organics directly from BizRecycling. To get started, set up a site assessment with BizRecycling expert by emailing info@bizrecycling.com.
Save on refrigeration costs with free energy consulting and rebates
The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is now offering free refrigeration consulting and rebates through its One-Stop Efficiency Shop program, sponsored by Xcel Energy. Starting with a free refrigeration assessment, CEE's consultants can help you find ways to reduce energy use, save money, and earn rebates through practical refrigeration upgrades. Learn more about the program and sign up for a free assessment.
Access financial and technical support from the City of Saint Paul
The City of Saint Paul offers a variety of financial and technical assistance resources to support small businesses throughout the year. Please see our current list of financial and technical resources. If you would like business resource support from our team, the first step is to submit an Intake Form. Get connected today to learn more about what programs can help you reach your business goals!
Learn about State of Minnesota Small Business Credit Initiative Funding
The goal of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is to help small businesses launch, expand, and thrive in Minnesota. Their State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) loan programs are designed to fill gaps and operate in collaboration with lenders to bolster small businesses. Learn more about DEED's SSBCI funding and programs.
Check out more small business funding opportunities
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has complied a list with a variety of small business grants, loans, and programs. Funding availability maybe unique to a specific business profile depending on a variety of qualifying factors. The list is updated periodically as new funding opportunities become available. This is a great place to start when it comes to grants and loans to fund your business.
Promote your events on the Visit Saint Paul calendar
If your business is planning an event, Visit Saint Paul has a platform to share it! The main goal of the calendar of events is to inform potential visitors of all the exciting things there are to do in the Capital City. The calendar is full of visitor-centric events and is intended to assist in growing the tourism and hospitality industry, helping visitors plan trips to our region, and increasing the economic impact from those trips. Submit your event today.
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Upcoming events
Tuesday, August 13
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Virtual event
This free training from SCORE Twin Cities will help you get noticed and build a community online. Topics covered will include your unique business; where your customers are; maximizing your online spaces; analyzing and adjusting; and owning your digital space.
Tuesday, August 13
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Virtual event
The Small Business and Innovation Office of the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) offers a monthly meeting for small business owners to have conversation with business experts and their peers. In August, staff from the Paid Leave program, managed by DEED, will present updates on the program, rulemaking procedures, and implementation.
Wednesday, August 14
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Neighborhood Development Center
The Achieve It! program from Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) helps entrepreneurs learn how to set better business goals, take charge of your goals, and tie personal financial goals with your business. Achieve It! offers the opportunity to take your business vision and goals and turn them into tangible tasks that are realistic with your personal life and business operations. Reserve your spot now.
Thursday, August 15
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
WareSpace Saint Paul
WareSpace recently opened in Saint Paul and offers small space rental options and big warehouse amenities to support small and micro makers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. This event is a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and explore the state-of-the-art shared warehouse space right in the Midway neighborhood.
Thursday, August 15
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Jackey's Peg Leg
Join the Latino Chamber of Commerce for this networking event, where you will enjoy great food and beverages from Jackey's Peg Leg, a new Latin-Caribbean venue in Saint Paul. The purpose of this event is to facilitate connections among Latino business owners and entrepreneurs, catch up with old friends, and make new connections. Register now.
Tuesday, August 20
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Virtual event
Learn more about the Dual-Training Pipeline program and how it can be used to help employers meet their workforce needs through earn-and-learn approaches in the industries of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, child care, health care services, information technology, legal cannabis industry, and transportation. Reserve your spot.
Wednesday, August 28
5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
ESNDC offices at Plaza Latina
Register today for a free workshop on best business strategies from the East Side Neighborhood Development Company (ESNDC)! This training is open to all Saint Paul businesses through a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED). Email Matt at manderson@esndc.org with questions.
Friday, August 30
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Brooklyn Park Library
The Boots to Business Reboot Course is an entrepreneurial training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that teaches participants valuable business skills. The program is for any Veteran, Service Member (including members of the National Guard and Reserves) or spouse who has an interest in starting their own business now or in the future. Register for the next in-person training in the Twin Cities.
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View the 2023 HREEO Annual Report
Read how the City of Saint Paul's Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) served Saint Paul businesses and residents in 2023 by advancing justice and equity through education, advocacy, and enforcement in the Annual Report.
Minnesota fluorescent ban: What building operators need to know
Did you hear about the recently passed Cleaning Lighting bill, which bans the sale of fluorescent screws-in and tubes in Minnesota? Building operators can keep and use their existing inventory but will not be allowed to purchase new mercury-containing lamps starting in 2025. Xcel Energy commercial customers can access free lighting consulting, project support, and efficiency-based rebates from CEE's One-Stop Efficiency Shop.
Kellogg-3rd Bridge closes for 3 years
On July 29, Saint Paul Public Works closed the Kellogg-3rd Bridge from Broadway Street to Mounds Boulevard for reconstruction. Construction will take approximately 3 years to complete. View the detour map below. For more project details and to sign up for email updates, visit stpaul.gov/Kellogg-3.
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