Skip to content

Build your knowledge and process to test your business idea

Build your value proposition in a free course from DEED and University of Minnesota. 

The University of Minnesota is partnering with Launch Minnesota, an initiative from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, to offer a course dedicated to helping entrepreneurs develop a strong value proposition for their business or business idea.

Through this no cost, five-week, virtual course, University of Minnesota educators will walk students through the Lean Startup approach to quickly assess and refine business concepts. This includes finding product-market fit, customer discovery, a path to commercialization, and market assessment.

Participants will leave with the knowledge and process to test a business idea and avoid costly mistakes.

Dates: June 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28
Time: 3:30 – 5:30PM

To learn more and register use this link. 
Learn more →

Show all resources

Get connected to professional resources, tools, and guidance from business experts.

Schedule a consultation

Meet one-on-one with a Business Navigator to assess your best next step.

Real businesses, real stories.

Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association employee posing with waste bins provided via grants from Hennepin County.

Bins, bags, and collaboration: Tackling business waste with Hennepin County

Businesses generate nearly half of Hennepin County’s total waste, making them critical partners in Hennepin County’s zero-waste goals. But they’re not on their own to figure it out. 

Elevate Hennepin at mid-year 2026.

Measuring Elevate Hennepin performance through the first half of 2026

Since Hennepin County launched Elevate Hennepin, our advisor network and cohort facilitators have supported 5,264 unique business owners in cities across Hennepin County. These entrepreneurs leveraged one-on-one advising, cohorts, workshops, and on-demand learning.