Learn from certification experts
Trusted professionals are ready to support you as you navigate the certification process to compete for government and corporate contracts:
- Learn about the CERT Program in Hennepin County, Ramsey County, the City of Minneapolis and the City of Saint Paul
- Determine which certification best suites your vision and business offerings
- Explore the tools and resources available to make the certification process as easy as possible
- Gain access to a procurement network
- Identify how your business can leverage preferred vendor status and draft a compelling proposal
Elevate Hennepin advisors offer strategic guidance for your business to get to the next step. While they may support some implementation activities, business owners are responsible for ongoing maintenance and day-to-day operations. Businesses should be prepared to engage their own resources for complex projects that are anticipated to take more than 25 hours.
Contact an advisor below to help you identify and plan for your next critical step.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Business Navigator.
Certification resources
The African Development Center (ADC) is the first community development corporation in the U.S. started by and for African immigrants.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Somali
Central Certification (CERT) Program
Small business certification for minority-owned, women-owned and emerging small businesses.
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Specialties
Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Cohort opportunity to guide Women of Color-owned businesses through certification to work with governments and enterprises.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses; Women; African American or Black; Latinx
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Armed with this experience and knowledge of legal solutions used by large entities, Davis Law Office set out to bring the same level of service to smaller organizations and individuals.
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Specialties
Construction; LGBTQIA+; Nonprofit sector
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
We collaborate with clients to manage risk and prepare their businesses for robust growth.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Latinx
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Spanish
Sigma Consulting & Training is a consultancy and training provider specializing in advising and guiding BIPOC-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Somali
SBA T.H.R.I.V.E - Emerging Leaders Reimagined
Executive-level training to accelerate the growth of high-potential small businesses.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English