Apply for CEO Start

Applications are open for CEO Start, a new opportunity in the CEO growth series from Elevate Hennepin.

CEO Start, powered by CO.STARTERS, is open to anyone in Hennepin County with a great business idea. Participants will assess their idea with a framework for testing and validating their concept so they can build a viable business; or understand why it might not work.

A group of 10 to 15 entrepreneurs will work through the nationally recognized CO.STARTERS program. Over the course of 10 weeks, participants will closely examine their ideas with peers, through industry research, facilitated discussions, and interviews with potential customers.

Participants will leave the program with a deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable venture, articulate their concept to customers or investors, and repeat the process with their next great idea.

“CEO Start gave me a strong foundation to tackle the fundamental business problems every founder will face. It was great to learn from and build a community with other business owners from such diverse backgrounds. I left the program feeling confident about my goals and the next steps I needed to take to achieve them,” said Abby Allen, founder of Gluestick, an app that helps parents find creative projects for kids.

CEO Start is a collaboration between Hennepin County and the cities of Brooklyn Park, and Bloomington.

Take a look at the Bloomington graduation event to learn more about the program:

To join the next CEO Start group-learning opportunity, find full eligibility requirements, more information, and apply today. Applications are and will be accepted through July 12, 2024.

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