Best Small Business Resources in the St Paul-Minneapolis Area
Starting a business is a life-changing experience. Minnesota has dozens of great resources to help entrepreneurs get started. Our team researched and vetted organizations in the St Paul-Minneapolis area and compiled our list of recommended resources in this article.
You can also read our guide to starting a business in Minnesota.
Resources Available in your Area
Small Business Assistance Office
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
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.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
1st National Bank Building , 332 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-556-8425
deed.mnsbao@state.mn.us
Gener8tor
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
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.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
James J. Hill Reference Library
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Offers Free Service
Description
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.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
80 West Fourth Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651-265-5500
customerservice@jjhill.org
HOURS OF OPERATION:
MON - THU: 8 am - 4 pm
Neighborhood Development Center
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
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.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
Northside Economic Opportunity Network
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Offers Free Service
Description
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.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
1007 West Broadway Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411
612-302-1505
info@neon-mn.org
HOURS OF OPERATION:
MON - FRI: 9 am -5 pm
St Paul-Minneapolis SCORE
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Offers Free Service
Description
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.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
The Lynhall
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
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.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
Twin Cities Metro MnSBDC
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Offers Free Service
Description
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.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
WomenVenture WBC
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
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.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth