Helping founders find community and connections
Annual two-day conference and field trips connecting community champions, economic developers, and entrepreneurs to share models supporting rural entrepreneurship.
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Six-month professional development and mentorship cohort for early- and mid-career community development professionals, focused on networking, policy advocacy, and building equitable communities.
Learn more →Monthly professional development and networking events for economic development professionals, aligned with IEDC competencies.
Learn more →Annual one-day entrepreneurship conference held in Austin, MN, featuring keynote speakers, peer networking, and a student business plan competition with $10,000 in prizes for entrepreneurs across southern Minnesota.
Learn more →Monthly convening of leaders of MSP-area accelerators, incubators, and entrepreneurial support organizations to address shared challenges, advance equity priorities, and collaborate on building a stronger startup ecosystem.
Learn more →Young professionals program of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce connecting and empowering emerging leaders ages 20–40 through networking events, experience-based learning, educational offerings, and community involvement opportunities.
Learn more →Eight-week one-on-one mentorship program pairing University of Minnesota undergraduate students with experienced founders and entrepreneurs; runs March–May annually.
Learn more →Annual business idea competition for Northwest Minnesota entrepreneurs offering cash prizes, intensive business training, coaching, and post-award technical assistance to accelerate innovative business concepts.
Learn more →Annual regional business pitch competition for SE and southern Minnesota entrepreneurs; top winners receive cash prizes and an automatic semifinalist seat at the statewide MN Cup competition.
Learn more →Program connecting economic development interns across Minnesota through virtual and in-person sessions to broaden their understanding of the profession.
Learn more →Monthly confidential peer councils exclusively for manufacturing executives from small and medium-sized MN companies to share challenges and opportunities.
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