Get Started

Get Started is a 90-minute virtual workshop designed for anyone with a business idea. This short workshop provides an easy entry point for all idea-stage entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of vetting their business idea.

Hennepin County invests in Get Started and Elevate Hennepin as part of our strategy to promote inclusive economic growth.

A spark to turn your idea into action

During these monthly workshops, a local facilitator and Elevate Hennepin Business Navigator will guide attendees through the Business Model Canvas, an efficient method to building the initial draft of a business plan.

Through this program, entrepreneurs will:

• Map their ideas
• Identify ways to get meaningful customer feedback
• Build a plan to start pursuing their business ideas
• Learn about no-cost resources and support they can access through Elevate Hennepin

Participants will leave the program with guidance on the first steps of starting a sustainable venture, and a process to examine their next great idea.

"This was very helpful, and I am excited to have some concrete next steps for myself! This was time well-spent!"

– Caitlin Collins, 2025 Get Started participant

Who is eligible?

Eligible participants must:

• Be a resident of Hennepin County
• Have a business idea you’re ready to explore
• Be willing to question, shape and fine-tune that idea
• Be willing to talk about your idea with others

About Get Started 

Get Started is powered by the CO.STARTERS curriculum in collaboration with Hennepin County.

CO.STARTERS, a tool from the Finsync Entrepreneur Ecosystem, is a nationally recognized community-based approach to economic development. The founders recognized a growing need to provide business support to entrepreneurs just getting started. Today, the CO.STARTERS network consists of thousands of success stories around the world.

Join

Get Started will be offered on the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, January 21 | 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (register here)
• Wednesday, February 18 | 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 18 | 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 15 | 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 20 | 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 17| 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 15| 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 19| 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 16 | 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 21| 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 18 | 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Register via the links above for available workshops, watch for future events on the Elevate Hennepin events page or sign up for the Elevate Hennepin newsletter via the form below to stay informed about upcoming Get Started workshops and other opportunities.