Meet with startup experts
Professional Elevate Hennepin advisors are available to guide idea-stage entrepreneurs as you develop your idea and assess how to launch your venture. Advisors can:
- Help develop your business idea
- Assist with industry research and analysis
- Examine financing requirements and goals
Elevate Hennepin idea-stage advisors offer guidance and expert support for to take your idea to the next step. While they may support some implementation activities, business owners are responsible for ongoing maintenance and day-to-day operations.
Idea-stage support is offered at 15 hours per advisor and entrepreneurs should be prepared to engage their own resources for complex projects that are anticipated to take more than 15 hours. Businesses are not required to be registered with the state of Minnesota to work with an idea-stage advisor.
Contact an advisor below to help you identify and plan for your strategic next step.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Business Navigator.
Idea-stage resources
Explore, validate, and develop a plan to turn your idea into a viable business.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
ConnectUP! Institute is a social finance and enterprise development center. We provide education, consulting and collaboration on innovative social finance.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Social impact businesses; Women; Construction; Nonprofit sector; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Latinx; Immigrant; Veteran; Co-op businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
The Dendros Group helps small businesses build capacity and navigate growth with tailored strategies that address mission-driven leadership, operations, and planning.
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Specialties
Construction; Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women; Immigrant; Latinx; Veteran
Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees); Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
We serve our clients by providing access to resources and capital to empower their businesses.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Impact Hub Minneapolis-Saint Paul is a locally rooted, globally connected, 501c3 nonprofit organization that inspires, connects and empowers people working to solve social problems in our city and beyond.
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Specialties
Social impact businesses; Nonprofit sector; LGBTQIA+; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Latino Economic Development Center
The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) was created in 2003 and is the only Latino-led and Latino-focused economic development organization as well as CDFI in Minnesota and the upper Midwest.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Latinx; Construction; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Spanish
Led by TRUTH invests in founders of color by co-creating a learning experience that provides an inclusive space for founders to be the catalyst that turns their dreams into reality.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Disadvantaged businesses; Asian and Pacific Islander; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees); Idea stage businesses
Speaks English
NextStage is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support entrepreneurs at every stage.
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Specialties
Nonprofit sector
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks another language; Speaks Somali; Speaks Spanish
MCCD Open to Business is an association of nonprofit community development organizations committed to expanding the wealth and resources of neighborhoods through housing and economic development initiatives.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks Somali; Speaks Spanish
Springboard for the Arts mission is to support artists with the tools to make a living and a life, and to build just and equitable communities full of meaning, joy, and connection.
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Specialties
Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women; Latinx; Veteran; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language
Fund that provides training and access to capital to promote entrepreneurship among American Indian people across Minnesota.
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Specialties
Indigenous / Native American
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees); Idea stage businesses
Speaks English
Victor Jones is a business coach and strategist who specializes in concept development, management, planning, operations, human resources, and finances.
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Specialties
Restaurant sector; African American or Black; Disadvantaged businesses; Construction; Social impact businesses; Asian and Pacific Islander; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Women; Veteran; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English