CEO Start

CEO Start is an 11-week group-learning opportunity that prepares aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with insights, relationships, and tools to turn their ideas into viable businesses.

Peer groups of 10 to 15 entrepreneurs will work through the nationally recognized curriculum focused on testing ideas and identifying key assumptions through interviews, peer-to-peer conversation, research, and facilitated discussions on key foundational elements. Professional pitch coaches will also guide participants as they prepare for a final presentation.

Participants who complete the program will walk away with a solid foundation of business fundamentals, access to resources, a community of support, an understanding of their next steps, and the confidence to move forward with their idea.

This program is powered by CO.STARTERS, a tool from the Finsync Entrepreneur Ecosystem, in collaboration with Hennepin County and the cities of Brooklyn Park and Bloomington.

Who is eligibility?

To qualify for CEO Start, participants must:

• Be 18 or older  
• A resident of Hennepin County or have a business in Hennepin County
• Have an idea or an existing business in an early stage
• Be willing to question, shape and fine-tune that idea
• Be willing to talk about the idea with others
• Have capacity to attend all classes and collaborate
• Existing businesses that apply must make under 100,000 in revenue

Non-profit and franchise organizations are not currently eligible. 

Apply

Applications for CEO Start are now being accepted, the next session begins in September of 2025. To apply for this opportunity, complete this short intake. Program staff will follow up with next steps. 

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