Elevate Hennepin is a collaboration between Hennepin County and the business community that offers a wide range of support for new and established businesses to gain their footing, plan for their next steps, and take their success to a new level.

Entrepreneurs and business owners can work directly with an expert consultant, learn with peers in cohort opportunities, and identify city, county, state, and federal resources in the Elevate Hennepin resource directory.

Through Elevate Hennepin, Hennepin County and the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) invest directly in inclusive economic growth.

Thousands of businesses in Hennepin County have engaged with the Elevate Hennepin resource hub, accessed a business advisor, or participated in a group-learning experience.

Elevate Hennepin has really helped me to understand business as a whole. As an entrepreneur, I’m learning something new every day, having them there is just it's safety for me.

-- Melanie Lewis, founder Perfect Piece Sweets Company

One-on-one advising

Hennepin County contracts with over 30 local organizations and professionals – our Elevate Hennepin advisors – who provide expert consulting in business strategy, marketing, and other areas of support. Advisors provide expertise and consulting services directly to Hennepin County businesses at no cost to business owners. Business owners can work for up to 25 hours with each Elevate Hennepin advisor.

Areas of consulting support include:

Access to capital

• Prepare for bank loans and other financing
• Explore financing strategies like small business loans, crowdfunding, etc.
• Create sustainable budgets and financial models

Accounting 

• Develop accounting processes
• Learn accounting frameworks and tools
• Understand banking process and procedure

Business strategy

• Assess mission, vision, values, and goals
• Fine-tune your objectives, strategies, and operations
• Develop or update your business plan

Certification

• Understand the CERT Program and other certifications
• Determine which certification is best for your business
• Explore the tools and resources to guide the certification process
• Financial management
• Understand critical finance documents
• Plan for increased profitability
• Organize finances to project sales and plan strategically

Financial management

• Understand critical finance documents
• Make a plan to increase your business’ profitability
• Prepare to meet with a lender

Human resources

• Draft job descriptions
• Develop a hiring and onboarding process
• Create employee policies, handbooks, and more

Idea stage

• Vet and map your business idea
• Complete industry research and analysis
• Examine financing requirements and goals

Idea-stage entrepreneurs can work with startup consultants for up to 15 hours each.

Legal

• Identify the right legal entity for your business
• Review contracts and leases
• Work through common legal questions for businesses

Legal advisors cannot offer litigation support.

Marketing

• Develop your brand and brand strategy
• Create social media plans
• Learn about advertising options

Technology

• Determine your website needs and ideal user experience
• Gain confidence in using apps, devices, and other tools
• Implement new technologies

Need help finding the right advisor? Elevate Hennepin Business Navigators can help you take the next step forward.

Cohort learning

Through Elevate Hennepin, entrepreneurs and business owners can work with peers to tackle challenges, gain insights, and build their network. Hennepin County works directly with the business community to evolve and develop cohort opportunities to meet the needs of local businesses.

Current cohort opportunities include:

Get Started

Get Started is a 90-minute virtual workshop designed for anyone with an idea for a business. This online learning opportunity offers Hennepin County residents the jumpstart needed to get their business idea moving forward.

CEO Start Bootcamp

CEO Start Bootcamp is a two-day fast moving learning opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to work collaboratively with peers and expert facilitators to strategize, problem solve and apply foundational business tactics to validate their idea or venture.

CEO Start

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

CEO Now

CEO Now is a facilitated cohort for established business owners looking to build and strengthen systems to keep their businesses growing. Up to 20 peer business owners and founders work together for seven months of focused business instruction and peer learning.

HR Next

HR Next empowers business leaders with no-cost consulting, data-informed tactics, and strategies to solve workforce challenges and improve overall business health. This eight-month cohort is designed to support established companies with custom human resources (HR) consulting and support.

CEO Next

CEO Next is an eight-month cohort engagement for second stage businesses looking to scale. Through facilitated roundtables, CEO forums, and custom research, CEOs will gain insight, practical tools and techniques to tackle challenges associated with growth.

Need help finding the right cohort? Elevate Hennepin Business Navigators can help you take the next step forward.

A collaborative model of business support

Together, we’re creating a business support ecosystem that will empower a strong and resilient local economy. 

Related links and materials

• View the program handout in English (PDF)
• View the program handout in Spanish (PDF)