Hatch Bloomington Awards $100,000 to BookMother
BookMother, a new bookstore and coffee shop concept founded by Bloomington entrepreneur Twila Dang, has been named the winner of the 2025 Hatch Bloomington pitch competition. The award includes $100,000 in funding to help launch her brick-and-mortar location and bring her vision to life.A 2025 graduate of the CEO Start program, an Elevate Hennepin cohort that prepares entrepreneurs with insights, relationships, and tools to turn their ideas into viable businesses. On top of the cohort, Twila leveraged Elevate Hennepin resources and worked with advisor A.M. & Associates to refine her business strategy and prepare for the competition. Her concept is centered around creating a welcoming “third space” for adults and it stood out for its cultural depth, community focus, and long-term impact.
BookMother will offer curated books and programming designed to foster connection across generations. Twila describes the space as “a love letter to my hometown,” and plans to build a neighborhood hub that doubles as a regional cultural anchor.
The Hatch Bloomington contest drew many applicants, but BookMother’s story and vision resonated deeply with both the public and the judging panel. With this win, Twila joins a growing list of Elevate Hennepin-supported entrepreneurs shaping the future of business in Minnesota.
Read the full story on the City of Bloomington website
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.
Elevate Hennepin helps Sweet Science Ice Cream 'sprinkle joy'
Sprinkle, the new Sweet Science Ice Cream truck, is hitting the road, part of founder Ashlee Olds' new strategic plan. She developed the plan with support from her peers and business training in CEO Now, a cohort from Elevate Hennepin.
Honey & Rye takes on staffing challenges in HR Next
Honey & Rye was a favorite neighborhood bakery in St. Louis Park with a robust coffee business, catering, baked goods, and retail store featuring locally made products. Behind the scenes, however, Founder Anne Andrus had a lot of questions about how to operate a larger business. One key issue was staffing. But she found HR Next and a chance to dramatically improve her HR systems.