CEO Now

Proven skills and collaboration for growth-oriented business owners

CEO Now is a facilitated cohort-learning opportunity for established, growth-minded business owners looking to build strong systems and a three- to five-year growth strategy for their business.

Participants will join a select cohort of business owners and founders for seven months of focused business instruction, peer-to-peer collaboration, and growth planning. This program will guide participants through topics like leadership, company values, sales and marketing, and goal setting in collaboration with each other and from industry experts.

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

Hennepin County and other participating counties cover the full cost of participation for businesses, a $4,000 value. There is no cost to CEOs to participate, other than your time.

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

Applications are now open for the next class of CEO Now, which starts in March 2026. Apply today, applications close for this competitive program on February 17, 2026.

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 on their businesses in real time. This opportunity includes 40 hours of in-class time and 12 hours working in peer groups, which meet throughout the program. This peer group has become a trusted advisory board for CEO Now alumni.

This opportunity will be hosted in Edina by the Edina Chamber of Commerce. Sessions will run every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting March 25, 2026.

“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 eight-month program

About the facilitation team

CEO Now is facilitated by Talon Performance Group. For over 25 years, Talon has designed and delivered leadership, coaching, and technical assistance programs that strengthen small-business capacity, improve financial literacy, and equip owners to scale responsibly.

Talon’s programs are informed by behavioral science and executive-function research to help leaders think strategically, manage complexity, and drive sustainable growth.

Apply

The next session of CEO Now will run from March to October 2026. Applications for the next CEO Start cohort are open now until February 17, 2026.

To express interest in this program, sign up here.