Elevate Hennepin^TM draws together experts, tools and programs intentionally designed to help new and established businesses gain their footing, plan for their next steps, and take their success to a new level. Through Elevate Hennepin, Hennepin County is investing in a business support ecosystem that is shaping the region to become even stronger and resilient.

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.

Connect with a business advisor today

Any Hennepin County business owner or resident who owns or is starting a business can access 25 hours of no-cost consulting per advisor. Hennepin County has contracted with dozens of professional business advisors and specialized consultants to offer expert support to local businesses in a wide range of areas including:

• Access to capital
• Accounting
• Business strategy
• Certification
• Financial management
• Human resources
• Idea stage
• Legal
• Marketing
• Technology

In practice, advisors help with foundational work like guidance researching and writing a business plan, building a financial plan, or answering legal questions. Entrepreneurs also access group-learning opportunities that bring together peers to tackle business challenges or explore new opportunities.

Need help navigating the tool or finding an advisor? Contact a Business Navigator at Elevate@hennepin.us for assistance. 

A path of success

Vanessa Drews, owner of Cheesecake Funk, says that Elevate Hennepin has been “helpful to my business for my peace of mind, knowing that there’s somebody else in my corner that’s rooting me on and helping to guide me down a path of success.” 

A new model of business support

The program began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by a diverse Business Advisory Council convened by Hennepin County during the height of the pandemic, Hennepin County teamed up with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber to partner with trusted experts that could help businesses meet the challenges of the pandemic and civil unrest.

The initiative has since grown into an innovative model to help diverse businesses in Hennepin County not only recover from the impacts of the pandemic, but to grow and build for success long into the future.

The business advisors and resources available through Elevate Hennepin serve entrepreneurs at every level and represent the diversity of Hennepin County businesses. It is our goal to provide business resources that support all business owners, with a focus on the economic empowerment of people of color, women, and other underserved business owners that have historically experienced disparities and were further disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Together, we’re creating a business support ecosystem that will help our region emerge from the pandemic with an even stronger, more inclusive, and resilient economy over the long-term. 

Related links and materials

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