Minneapolis–Saint Paul Small Business Resources
Starting and running a small business requires resources. There are businesses, government groups, and nonprofits ready to help you.
We’ve compiled a list of Minneapolis–Saint Paul small business resources and created tools and guides to help you operate a successful business in Minnesota.
Starting a business? Get access to small business resources and support when you start an LLC with Northwest ($29 + State Fees).
Local Resources for Small Business in Minneapolis–Saint Paul
Using local resources can make a big difference. Here are some of the best local resources for small businesses in Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
To get more Minnesota business resources, visit our Minnesota Small Business Resources guide.
Small Business Assistance Office
Overview
The Small Business Assistance Center in St. Paul helps entrepreneurs by providing one-on-one consulting for any questions business owners may have. The SBAC will be useful for any entrepreneurs who have questions and many want answers by phone, as well as in person. Additionally, the SBAC is unique in the fact that it maintains the Minnesota ELicensing portal that entrepreneurs can use to make sure their sales permits are in order.
Contact Information
Office Address:
1st National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone Number: 651-556-8425
Email: deed.mnsbao@state.mn.us
TRUiC Business Resources
gener8tor
Overview
This 12-week accelerator offers mentoring, funding, and an intensive educational program. Services are aimed at high-growth, high-return ventures in promising fields.
Restrictions
Restricted to high-growth startups, including the fields of software, IT, web, life science, MedTech, e-commerce, and hardware. Only 15 startups per year are chosen to be accelerated.
Contact Information
Office Address:
1330 Lagoon Ave. #400
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone Number: 414-502-8880
Email: info@gener8tor.com
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James J. Hill Reference Library
Overview
The James J. Hill Reference Library is unique in the fact that it is the only library in St. Paul specifically devoted to business. It offers entrepreneurs services ranging from access to business-focused databases, research for hire, classes, and workshops to learn with other entrepreneurs, networking groups, and one-on-one meetings with local experts.
Contact Information
Office Address:
80 West Fourth Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Phone Number: 651-265-5500
Email: customerservice@jjhill.org
Social Media:
Neighborhood Development Center
Overview
The NDC helps entrepreneurs through a wide array of services including workshops, classes, personal consultations, and incubation programs for a variety of business types. As an organization, they will be incredible helpful for most entrepreneurs who seek out their services.
Contact Information
Office Address:
663 University Avenue West
Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone Number: 651-291-2480
Social Media:
Northside Economic Opportunity Network
Overview
NEON is a business incubator that includes services like one-on-one mentoring, legal services, brand development, entrepreneurial workshops, accounting training, and more. It is also a coworking space that offers mentoring and basic office amenities.
Restrictions
The business incubator works with businesses in the food, retail, and construction/landscaping/janitorial industries.
Contact Information
Office Address:
1007 West Broadway Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Phone Number: 612-302-1505
Email: info@neon-mn.org
Social Media:
SCORE Twin Cities
Overview
SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is a leading, nation-wide organization that has assisted millions of entrepreneurs over its 50+ years of operation. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA that offers access to a network of experienced business leaders who donate time to mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also host free or inexpensive workshops online and at 300 local chapters around the United States. Mentoring can be conducted either in person or remotely and is always free and confidential, no matter how often you take advantage of this service.
Contact Information
Office Address:
2021 E. Hennepin Ave.
Ste. 220
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone Number: 952-938-4570
The Lynhall
Overview
The Lynhall is a special food incubator kitchen that helps entrepreneurs trying to start a food business by providing them with an incredible kitchen area to work. Given the fact that it is a kitchen incubator, food-based businesses will be the best fit for this org, and renting space can be done at an hourly or monthly rate. In addition to being a kitchen incubator, the Lynhall is unique in the fact that once you have created your product, you can also sell to other guests.
Restrictions
Businesses in the food industry only.
Contact Information
Office Address:
2640 Lyndale Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone Number: 612-870-2640
Email: info@thelynhall.com
Social Media:
Twin Cities Region SBDC
Overview
The greatest strength of the SBDC is their free, confidential, 1-on-1 business mentoring for anyone who seeks it. Sometimes in order to be considered for mentoring from one of their professional business advisors, you may have to attend a class/workshop or at least present your business plan. SBDC's are located all throughout the state and you should use the SBDC closest to your location if possible, but you can often transfer to a different location if they do not fit your needs.
Contact Information
Social Media:
WomenVenture
Overview
Women's Business Centers are nationwide programs established by the SBA to assist women in starting small businesses. Some of these centers are combined with other local organizations and use that relationship to offer even more services. Each Women's Business Center has counselors who can provide mentorship and assistance with business planning. Women’s Business Centers also provide a network of other businesses, and some have loan programs available.
Restrictions
The Women's Business Centers are, as the name implies, meant for women primarily.
Contact Information
Office Address:
165 Western Ave. N
Ste. 8 Office #100
St. Paul, MN 55102
Phone Number: 612-224-9540
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