6. Possible presenters related to area small business resources1
Resources for Self-Employment/Small Business
Online Research Tools for Self-Employment
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
https://mn.gov/deed/business/starting-business/
MDEED’s Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota answers the most common questions about starting a business
including:
Before You Start
Organizing a Business
Business Plans
Accounting
Business Finance Basics
Licenses and Permits
Insurance
Business Taxes
Basics for Employers
Intellectual Property
Management Basics
Additional resources include
Business Guidebooks: In depth guidebooks on topics such as employment law, Internet commerce, securities
offerings, franchising, debt financing, loan documentation and intellectual property protection.
Small Business Assistance Office offers individual consultation services.
Small Business Development Centers: A statewide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
provide the professional expertise and guidance that every small business owner needs.
Additional Resources: A list of organizations that receive state funding through DEED to provide technical
assistance to Minnesota based small businesses and entrepreneurs.
US Small Business Administration
330 Second Avenue South Suite 430
Minneapolis, MN
Phone: 612-370-2324
https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/mn/minneapolis
Services available:
Financial assistance for new or existing businesses through guaranteed loans made by area lenders. The local
Free counseling, advice and information on starting, better operating or expanding a small business through
SCORE Counselors to America’s Small Business.
Assistance to businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals through
the Minority Enterprise Development Program.
Women's Business Ownership Representatives are available to advise women business owners.
Special loan programs are available for businesses involved in international trade.
(Potential Presenting Organizations as Recommended by Ken)
2
Organizations that help entrepreneurs
African Development Center (ADC)
1931 South 5th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: 612-333-4772
http://adcminnesota.org/
ADC provides culturally competent services to Minnesota’s African community through workshops and consultations on
financial literacy, business development, and home ownership. ADC offers an Entrepreneurial Training Program and
financing/small business loans.
Business Plans are Included as part of the Entrepreneurship Training Program which costs $600, with a $75 scholarship
opportunity based on income.
Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)
1501 East Lake Street, Lower Level
Minneapolis MN 55407
Phone: 651-395-4030
https://ledc-mn.org
The LEDC is a statewide membership-based nonprofit organization that strives to transform the Latino community by
creating economic opportunity for Latinos. An individual membership is $50 a year.
LEDC offers orientations, classes, development consulting, technical assistance, and access to capital for new and
existing entrepreneurs.
LegalCORPS
Multiple locations
Phone: 612-206-0780
http://legalcorps.org/
LegalCORPS helps low-income owners of small businesses and small nonprofit organizations by connecting them with
free, high-quality legal services from volunteer lawyers. There is a $50 administrative fee.
MEDA – Metropolitan Economic Development Association
1256 Penn Ave. No. Suite 4800
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Phone: 612-332-6332
http://meda.net/
MEDA helps minority entrepreneurs succeed. MEDA can help with loan packaging, business plan evaluation, answering
questions about start-ups and acquisitions, networking, mentor relationships financial planning and more.
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MN-SBIR
400 South 4th Street Suite 416
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 952-230-4555
https://www.mhta.org/mnsbir/
Minnesota High Tech Association helps technology-based entrepreneurs and innovators access federal funding through
the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs.
Neighborhood Development Center (NDC)
663 University Avenue West Suite 200
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104
Phone: 651 291 2480
http://www.ndc-mn.org/
NDC provides eligible businesses assistance in the following areas:
Entrepreneur training costs $150-$600 based on household income.
Second Stage Entrepreneur Training is $500 for cohort training.
Consultation for developing a business plan after training is completed.
Small business loans: NDC has loans for those who do not qualify for traditional financing.
Business services: The Business Lab provides business assistance in areas from accounting to web design.
Incubators and Real Estate: NDC creates spaces for small businesses to grow.
Many free workshops are available monthly.
NEON – Northside Economic Opportunity Network
1007 West Broadway Avenue North,
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Phone: 612-302-1505
https://www.neon-mn.org/
NEON works with individuals at various stages of entrepreneurship, from information seekers to existing business
entities.
NEON:
Helps entrepreneurs in north Minneapolis and surrounding communities.
Works with entrepreneurs who are thinking about starting a business and existing businesses owners.
Offers spaces to work, expert guidance from business advisors, mentorship, business incubation and
development, training, workshops and more.
Thinking about Business is a free 4-hour session offered every third Saturday.
Additional training and workshops are available at no cost.
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SCORE
8700 West 36th Street, Suite 125A
Minneapolis, MN, 55426
Phone: 952-938-4570
https://minneapolis.score.org/
SCORE is a volunteer, non-profit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE
provides free business counseling designed for pre-venture and early stage businesses.
SCORE offers these free services:
Workshops for both startup entrepreneurs and small business owners.
On-line webinars covering a range of topics.
Mentors to individuals to offer business advice.
Resource library
Business Plan Center to help create business plans.
University of St. Thomas/Small Business Development Center
2115 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota 55105
1000 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 651-962-4500
http://www.stthomas.edu/sbdc/
The Small Business Development Center provides business consulting services to help businesses develop strategies to
attract customers, increase sales and improve profitability.
The Small Business Development Center offers:
Smart Start for Business Workshop, which costs $50.
Business plan advising where a consultant will guide you through completing a business plan. This service is free,
however you must complete Smart Start for Business workshop first.
Women Venture
2021 E Hennepin Ave, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: 612 224-9540
http://www.womenventure.org/
WomenVenture helps women start and grow profitable and sustainable businesses. WomenVenture trains
entrepreneurs, advises businesses, provides loans, and creates jobs.
WomenVenture offers:
Classes and workshops in entrepreneurial readiness, business plan development and refinement and more.
Free workshops.
Loans up to $50,000 for qualified borrowers.
Business Resources including consulting and online resources.
Getting Ready: a 3-part series to determine if small business is right for you, which costs $150.
Small Business Essentials cohort training, including business plan, which costs $600.