CEO Now

Proven skills and collaboration for growth-oriented business owners

CEO Now is a group-learning opportunity for established, growth-minded business owners to build and strengthen systems to keep their businesses growing.

Participants will join a cohort of up to 20 peer business owners and founders for seven months of focused business instruction and peer learning.

CEO Now is part of Elevate Hennepin, Hennepin County’s initiative to support entrepreneurship and economic growth for communities across the county. This group-learning opportunity has helped dozens of business owners achieve growth and results.

Hennepin County and other participating counties cover the full cost of participation for businesses, a $6,000 value. There is no cost to CEOs to participate, other than your time.

Technical know-how for sustainable growth

This action-oriented program will help owners and founders of growing businesses learn the strategic and technical foundations of running their businesses more efficiently through:

Development of a three- to five-year strategic growth plan
Professional peer group of other founders and owners
Access to experienced instructors and local business advisors
Tools to access growth capital and outside investment
Curriculum that combines business fundamentals and management knowhow

Owners will spend up to 100 hours working on their business and putting their training to work in real time. This opportunity includes 40 hours of class time exploring topics like business and strategic assessments, finances, finding key personnel, marketing, and sales processes. Participants will also dedicate 12 hours to working in peer groups, which meet throughout the program to supplement in-class learning with real-world experience. This peer group will define essential discussion and working topics and have become a trusted advisory board for CEO Now alumni.

Hennepin County and other participating counties cover the full cost of participation for businesses, a $6,000 value. There is no cost to CEOs to participate, other than your time.

“It touched on all things business. It really offered a glimpse of hope to keep your business operating at its fullest potential.”

— Kyle Kettering, cofounder of Copperwing Distillery

Who is eligible?

The program is available to eligible entrepreneurs thanks to ongoing investments in the business community from Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.

To be eligible, business owners must:

Have two years of operating history
Employ at least one person other than the owner
Report between $250,000 and $2 million in revenue
Be incorporated or operating in Hennepin County
Be receptive to coaching, mentorship and collaborating with peers
Commit up to 10 hours each month through the seven-month program

About the facilitation team

CEO Now is facilitated by local business leaders trained by Interise. Interise is a nationally recognized nonprofit committed to delivering inclusive programs for established small businesses, and national partnerships that create impact at local, regional, and state-wide levels.

CEO Now builds on Interise’s award-winning StreetWise ‘MBA’ education, which has been effective in helping businesses lay the groundwork for growth, economic development, and job creation.

Apply

The application period for the 2025 CEO Now opportunity is closed. To express your interest in a future CEO Now training, complete this form.

Interested entrepreneurs can also sign up to receive updates for CEO Now and other opportunities by signing up for the business support newsletter below.