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Area of Support — Certification

Determine your certification strategy

Learn from certification experts

Trusted professionals are ready to support you as you navigate the certification process to compete for government and corporate contracts:

  • Learn about the CERT Program in Hennepin County, Ramsey County, the City of Minneapolis and the City of Saint Paul
  • Determine which certification best suites your vision and business offerings
  • Explore the tools and resources available to make the certification process as easy as possible
  • Gain access to a procurement network
  • Identify how your business can leverage preferred vendor status and draft a compelling proposal

Elevate Hennepin advisors offer strategic guidance for your business to get to the next step. While they may support some implementation activities, business owners are responsible for ongoing maintenance and day-to-day operations. Businesses should be prepared to engage their own resources for complex projects that are anticipated to take more than 25 hours.

Contact an advisor below to help you identify and plan for your critical next step for certification or visit our Resource Directory to find more certification options and resources across all our support categories.

Not sure where to start? Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Business Navigator.

Certification resources

Certified Access Academy

Cohort opportunity to guide Women of Color-owned businesses through certification to work with governments and enterprises.
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Specialties

Certification, Government resources, Cohort learning and networking, Hennepin County,
Specialization
Disadvantaged businesses; Women; African American or Black; Latinx
Stage
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Language
Speaks English

Davis Law Office

Armed with this experience and knowledge of legal solutions used by large entities, Davis Law Office set out to bring the same level of service to smaller organizations and individuals.
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Specialties

Legal, Certification, Advisors and consultants, Hennepin County,
Specialization
Construction; LGBTQIA+; Nonprofit sector
Stage
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Language
Speaks English

Hortensia Law Office

We collaborate with clients to manage risk and prepare their businesses for robust growth.
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Specialties

Legal, Certification, Advisors and consultants, Hennepin County,
Specialization
Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Latinx
Stage
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Language
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Spanish

Sigma Consulting

Sigma Consulting & Training is a consultancy and training provider specializing in advising and guiding BIPOC-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs.
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Specialties

Financial management, Strategic planning, Certification, Advisors and consultants, Hennepin County,
Specialization
African American or Black; Immigrant
Stage
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Language
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Somali

Upcoming certification events

Setting up your business for success: legal, financial and operational foundations

This session will provide an in-depth look at the essential steps for setting up a business correctly. Topics will include choosing the right business structure, setting up accounting systems, understanding legal requirements and establishing effective operational processes. This workshop will ensure entrepreneurs have a solid foundation to build and grow their business sustainably.