Meet with startup experts
Professional Elevate Hennepin advisors are available to guide idea-stage entrepreneurs as you develop your idea and assess how to launch your venture. Advisors can:
- Help develop your business idea
- Assist with industry research and analysis
- Examine financing requirements and goals
Elevate Hennepin idea-stage advisors offer guidance and expert support for to take your idea to the next step. While they may support some implementation activities, business owners are responsible for ongoing maintenance and day-to-day operations.
Idea-stage support is offered at 15 hours per advisor and entrepreneurs should be prepared to engage their own resources for complex projects that are anticipated to take more than 15 hours. Businesses are not required to be registered with the state of Minnesota to work with an idea-stage advisor.
Contact an advisor below to help you identify and plan for your strategic next step.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Business Navigator.
Idea resources
One-on-one general business advising and human resource support.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Construction; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Nonprofit sector; Social impact businesses; Veteran; Women; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks Spanish
Explore, validate, and develop a plan to turn your idea into a viable business.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
ConnectUP! Institute is a social finance and enterprise development center. We provide education, consulting and collaboration on innovative social finance.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Social impact businesses; Women; Construction; Nonprofit sector; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Latinx; Immigrant; Veteran; Co-op businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks another language
We serve our clients by providing access to resources and capital to empower their businesses.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Impact Hub Minneapolis-Saint Paul is a locally rooted, globally connected, 501c3 nonprofit organization that inspires, connects and empowers people working to solve social problems in our city and beyond.
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Specialties
Social impact businesses; Nonprofit sector; LGBTQIA+; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
NextStage is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support entrepreneurs at every stage.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks another language; Speaks Somali
MCCD Open to Business is an association of nonprofit community development organizations committed to expanding the wealth and resources of neighborhoods through housing and economic development initiatives.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks Somali; Speaks Spanish
Victor Jones is a business coach and strategist who specializes in concept development, management, planning, operations, human resources, and finances.
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Specialties
Restaurant sector; African American or Black; Disadvantaged businesses; Construction; Social impact businesses; Asian and Pacific Islander; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Women; Veteran; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English