Open to Business

Who can participate

Applicants can include entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Entrepreneurs, small business owners, or people thinking about starting a business in suburban Hennepin County can receive one-on-one business consultations.

Financing and loan applications are administered by Open to Business.

Free consulting

Access technical and financial assistance including business plan development, feasibility studies, marketing, loan request preparation, finance projections, and other services.

Financing and loans

Work with advisers to identify borrowing needs and financing options. These can include direct financing and loans for:

• Inventory
• Working capital
• Asset and equipment purchases
• Real estate
• Acquisition
• Start-up costs

Open to Business is a program of the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers. Please contact an Open to Business advisor to learn more.

Businesses in Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center:
Yoni Reinharz at yreinharz@mccdmn.org or 612-843-3277.

Businesses in all other cities in Hennepin County:
Vicky Gonzalez at vgonzalez@mccdmn.org or 612-843-3269.

Community impact

Since 2012, the program has supported 2,465 businesses.

In 2019, of the businesses who received financing or loans through the program:

• 40% were women entrepreneurs
• 43% were minority entrepreneurs
• 53% were low income entrepreneurs

Related links and materials

• Open to Business program brochure (PDF)
• Business technical assistance providers in Hennepin County (PDF)