Thank you for a wonderful year

As we reflect on this past year, we are filled with gratitude for the entrepreneurs who inspire us with their resilience, creativity, and determination. Hennepin County is proud to offer Elevate Hennepin to the innovators and builders who make our economy so vibrant.

"I cannot say enough about Elevate Hennepin," said Commissioner Angela Conley. "I can't wait to see how many residents we serve next year."

Entrepreneurs from across the Hennepin County economy worked with Elevate Hennepin advisors, facilitators, and staff this year. Here's what a few said: 

“It’s been a very, very valuable resource. One of the modules was all about pivoting… don’t be afraid to totally change it and pivot into something new.” - Abby Allen, founder of Gluestick, discussing how CEO Start continues to be a resource

"I feel like really having the support for us in that second phase of business is powerful. It feels like there are just as many unknowns. And all the stakes are higher.” - Anne Andrus, founder of Honey & Rye, discussing the value of HR Next

"I appreciate it so much. If I had to do this on my own, I can’t imagine how much money I would have had to spend with all these advisors."  - Dr. Farhiyo Abdulle, co-founder of Rayaf Health, on working with several different advisors to launch her business

“It was kind of like re-learning alphabets from A to Z. I knew all the 26 letters, but everything was scrambled… CEO Now provided more clarity.” - Rajesh Selvaraj, cofounder of Pizza Karma, reflecting on lessons from CEO Now

Looking ahead
As we step into the new year, we are excited to continue building opportunities for growth through Elevate Hennepin. 

We’re excited to bring people together across our cohorts, CEO Start, CEO Now, CEO Next, HR Next, and Certified Access. These programs provide structured learning, peer support, and expert guidance to help you scale your vision. CEO Start Bootcamp and Get Started offer the same high-quality education in a format built for busy idea-stage and startup companies.  

Elevate Hennepin advisors are just as eager to offer custom guidance to tackle challenges or embrace opportunities in your business starting in January.

And no matter what your business needs, Elevate Hennepin Business Navigators are ready to help you clarify your path and connect with the right resources.

Happy Holidays and we’ll see you in the New Year!