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Welcome to the Minnesota Cup entrepreneurs Resource Center. Here, you will find access to valuable tools and resources that will aid you in your business.
Resources From Our Partners
Wells Fargo: Small Business Center
Wells Fargo has been serving small businesses and their owners since 1852 so they understand the unique challenges you face balancing the needs of your company and personal life. Their Small Business Center provides articles, videos, and newsletters to help you succeed in both.
Suggested articles:
Additional articles for entrepreneurs and small business can be found at the Wells Fargo Small Business Center
James J. Hill Reference Library: Online Resource Center
The business information experts at the James J. Hill Reference library created an Online Resource Center complete with tools to assist you with your research. Access business plan templates, how-to guides, business calculators, entrepreneur resources, and more.
Launch the Hill Library's BizToolkit
inFINANCING, Insider's Guide to Business Financing
inFinancing offers guidebooks, workshops & forums to help startup, emerging and growth companies based on the Handbook of Business Finance & Capital Sources by Dileep Rao.
inFINANCING has been developed by Dileep Rao, president of InterFinance Corporation, based on his experience financing over 450 emerging ventures, growing businesses and real estate projects, using venture capital, debt and development financing. Mr. Rao has also raised equity, debt, grants and incentives for over 450 projects and businesses, and successfully turned around four businesses. Currently, Mr. Rao advises companies on their business and financing strategy, and advises financial institutions on their portfolio.reneurs, their advisors and area business developers.
Learn more at www.infinancing.com
Twin Cities Business: Fact Finder
The Twin Cities Business "Fact Finder" includes several tools and resources for the local business community. This include "The Big Book" with ranked list by industry for Minnesota Companies and "Arrow" a business directory with resources for Growing Companies. Additional resources include the Minnesota Biosciences directory of companies and the Fact Finder Search, a directory of MN business leaders and companies.
Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP
New and emerging businesses need innovative legal counsel delivered in a practical and cost-effective manner. Maslon built its reputation on providing this very service.
Their Emerging Business and Venture Finance practice area has provided the following articles to help you as your business grows.
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Fredrikson & Byron's Renewable Energy Group provides timely articles on developments impacting industry stakeholders. Click on the following link to view recent articles: www.fredlaw.com/articles/energy/index
GetGo Directories
In June of 2009, GetGo Directories was launched, a sister program to the Minnesota Cup whose purpose is to help support the Minnesota Entrepreneurial Community. Here you can register yourself or your company, and with a few clicks, generate a custom directory page, complete with a lead generating form and simple to set-up twitter and social connectivity widgets.
State of Minnesota (DEED)
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has great resources, tools and programs to aid the entrepreneurs of MN.
Learn more about how DEED can help you Start Your Business
Startupshoppe, Inc.
Startupshoppe, Inc. offers the Minnesota Startup Showcase, which is a professional online video production where your company's presentation is synchronized with a video of your personalized pitch for online viewing. This professionally produced, integrated video solution provides a powerful format for delivering your message to a targeted audience.
Learn more about Minnesota Startup Showcase
Organizations that Support Entrepreneurs
BizLounge Network
The Bizlounge Network is a group of aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs. We host events where we bring in a successful entrepreneur (typically a 40 under 40 winner) to share their entrepreneurial story of how they got to where they are and what lessons they've learned along the way. Before and after the informal presentation, attendees can network and create connections with other local entrepreneurs.
Learn more at www.bizlounge.org
The Collaborative
The Collaborative is a vital community of entrepreneurs,investors and advisors fostering entrepreneurship and building better, and more profitable companies. For over 20 year, The Collaborative has served as a proven resource for growing companies, providing real-life quality content and networking while also fueling, convening, and celebrating Minnesota's Innovation Economy.
Learn more at www.collaborative.net
MEDA (Metropolitan Economic Development Association)
Founded in 1971, MEDA provides assistance to businesses owned and managed by ethnic minorities. Unique among economic development organizations, MEDA's services are directed toward new and existing businesses whose owners are committed to making an impact through:
- job creation
- their firms' growth and profitability
- community involvement
Learn more at www.meda.net
MIMA (Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association)
MIMA is a networking and professional development forum for interactive marketing professionals. That said, we're not your average, gotta-have-something-on-my-resume club. We keep it real with events that challenge the status quo. We bring the interactive community together over issues that matter. What's more, we actually like to kick back and have some fun. Real fun. Ask anyone who's been to an event. They're different, because our members are different. Smart. Savvy. Sarcastic. Driven.
Visit www.mima.org to learn more.
Minnesota Entrepreneurs (ME!)
Founded in 1981 as the Minnesota Entrepreneurs' Club, ME! is a pioneer in educating, inspiring and providing resources to aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs. Today, Minnesota Entrepreneurs is well known as one of the state's oldest providers of inspiration, education and networking opportunities to Minnesota's thriving entrepreneurial community.
Learn more at www.mn-entrepreneurs.org
MMSDC (Midwest Minority Supplier Development Council)
The Midwest Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) serves as a conduit between the corporate world and the minority owned business. Through the cooperative efforts of corporate members, minority owned business and staff, the MMSDC produces amazing opportunities for everyone involved.
Learn more at www.mmsdc.org
Minnesota NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners)
The mission of NAWBO is to help women business owners who want to be successful - be successful! It is a great association to connect and network with other women business owners.
To learn more, visit www.nawbo-mn.org
Twin Cities Entrepreneurs
Since 2004, the Twin Cities Entrepreneurs (TCE) has been an excellent resource for connecting hundreds of business professionals. Those that have come across our door step are the individuals sitting in their cube - thinking about starting their own company; are first time owners, and veterans with years of experience in the business world. We have some pretty talented down-to-earth people in our circle.
Visit www.twincitiesentrepreneurs.com to learn more.
