Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Eide Bailly is a business advisory and accounting firm helping clients embrace the opportunities that change and innovation bring to the evolving business landscape and personal financial decisions. We offer our clients inspired ideas and solutions to tackle risk and spur growth.

EntreBank is focused on serving entrepreneurs – those that take calculated risks, make bold moves, and have positive impact. Our clients appreciate the following about us:
– We put in the work to understand our clients’ businesses so we can provide trustable guidance that feels like it comes from their own team.
– We are attentive & responsive, providing proactive communication, timely responses, and dedicated attention to keep our clients’ goals on track.
– Our vision is creative, and we help our clients see new opportunities and solve tough challenges.
– Technology is our ally; we offer next-gen technology tools to make banking more efficient, intuitive, and convenient.

Turning common practice on its head in pursuit of client success is what makes Husch Blackwell unlike any other firm. This means rather than just giving lip service to putting clients first, we are client-centric by design. Our multidisciplinary teams—staffed with experienced legal counsel, business consultants, data scientists, and client service managers—are organized around client industries and incentivized to work collaboratively to help our clients succeed. With more than 20 offices across the United States, including our virtual office, The Link, we tap an ever-expanding collective knowledge base to quickly solve our clients’ most complex challenges

All In One Accounting is your strategic accounting team dedicated to serving growth-minded entrepreneurs and mission-driven nonprofits by supporting profitable growth, protection of assets and amplification of impact.

Voyage Wealth Architects is a Minneapolis-based sophisticated planning and wealth management firm. We specialize in values-based planning that helps dynamic families and entrepreneurs/owners connect their wealth to their specific vision and values. Through comprehensive financial planning that integrates advanced investment strategies with risk management, tax mitigation, and coordination of advisory teams, we are experts in helping business owners, executives, and business professionals craft personalized financial plans designed to weather any storm, allowing clients to enjoy life’s voyage now and for generations to come. Learn more about starting your voyage at www.voyagewa.com.

With a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet,” Fredrikson’s attorneys bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to our work with clients and operate as business advisors and strategic partners as well as legal counselors. Whether starting from scratch or building from $10mm to $20mm in the next 12 months, growing a business enterprise fast is hard. Whatever the challenge, the members of our Start Up & Rapid Growth Enterprises (SURGE) Group understand your needs and have a long history of working side-by-side with entrepreneurs from inception to exit by bringing creative and practical legal solutions to your team.

Choice Bank provides innovative business banking solutions that make managing finances easy and accessible from anywhere. With a People First approach, Choice takes the time to get to know you and your business. We are committed to helping our customers grow. Our deposit accounts, cash management tools, and comprehensive business loan options are designed to serve a broad range of organizations, from start-ups to non-profits and corporations. Founded in 2001, we’ve grown to over 400 team members with assets exceeding $5 billion. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing banks in America, Choice Bank remains dedicated to serving businesses and communities.

Forget faceless banks. Security Bank & Trust Co. backs the hustlers, the dreamers, the doers. We’re rooted in your community, fueling local businesses with smart loans and expert guidance. Together, let’s grow your legacy and strengthen your town. Learn how we can make a difference for you, your business, and our shared home.

Taft is a modern law firm with more than 875 attorneys across eight primary Midwest markets and the District of Columbia. Our attorneys represent a multitude of high growth companies across a broad range of industries in every stage of development. We have participated in hundreds of millions of dollars in venture fund transactions on behalf of our emerging growth clients. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide cost-efficient and practical solutions with the flexible terms that high-growth companies desire.

At Continua Interiors, we create spaces that drive productivity, foster collaboration, and empower people. We bring together decades of expertise in integrating furniture, technology, and architectural solutions. Our approach is rooted in innovation, precision, and an unwavering commitment to our clients.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to become the most trusted partner in transforming interior environments, where expertise, execution, and experience converge to shape the future of work. As trusted workplace integrators, we leverage our deep industry knowledge to design environments that adapt to the evolving needs of modern work. From corporate offices and educational institutions to healthcare facilities, we deliver tailored solutions that blend functionality with forward-thinking design.

Crux Rubicon specializes in end-to-end, integrated strategy and corporate development solutions for entrepreneurs and privately-held organizations.

At Redpath and Company, we are proactive CPAs and business advisory experts. From Tax and Audit to M&A Advisory and Client Accounting Services, we provide the advice and insights needed to address the financial complexities that make you and your business unique. We partner closely with the entrepreneur community through both our Fractional CFO offering, providing strategic financial guidance that scales with your needs, as well as Transaction Advisory Services, offering transaction readiness and support throughout the sales process to maximize transaction value.

Pinnacle Business Guides was built on a mission to go beyond traditional business operating systems. Founder, Gregory Cleary recognized that while existing systems provided clarity, they lacked the adaptability businesses need for sustained success. Pinnacle offers a dynamic framework that evolves with organizations, ensuring continuous improvement. Our approach prioritizes five key principles, flexibility, and expert guidance from top-tier Pinnacle Guides. With a focus on innovation and organizational health, we empower businesses to navigate challenges and achieve long-term success. Climb higher with Pinnacle—your guide to a clearer, ever-evolving path forward.

Creative Planning is a nationally recognized wealth management firm providing comprehensive financial and business planning services, all in-house. We offer expert guidance in financial planning, investment management, strategic tax planning, estate and trust administration, insurance, and business services. Our tailored approach ensures every element of your wealth and business strategy works cohesively. Whether you need retirement income planning, business valuations, outsourced accounting, payroll services, or legal advisory, we provide customized solutions to help you achieve financial success. With a commitment to fiduciary excellence, we focus on delivering tax-efficient, cost-effective, and holistic financial strategies​​.

Magnetic North is a full-service digital marketing agency that helps businesses grow through tailored strategies and measurable results. We specialize in SEO, paid advertising, social media management, video marketing, and web development that is designed to fit your unique goals. Our team brings creative thinking, technical expertise, and data-driven insights to every project, ensuring your marketing efforts make a real impact. Whether you need to build your brand, generate leads, or drive sales, we’re here to help you reach your next level of success. Visit magnorth.com to learn how we can support your growth with customized, ROI-focused marketing solutions.

Innovation is a mindset. At Gustavus, our Center for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership engages students in the classroom and through tours and experiences, guest speakers, competitions, and a clear connection to the liberal arts education. The Gustie Entrepreneur Cup brings together student entrepreneurs in an innovative and collaborative pitch competition that showcases the creative spirit that Gustavus students bring to their startup endeavors. We find that great ideas are usually created by trial and error, collaboration, and working in an innovative space to identify real problems and opportunities, find realistic solutions, use insightful data, and integrate compelling research to develop a strong business model.

At the Schulze School, we teach students to use entrepreneurial skills to solve problems that matter and create value for others. Schulze is more than a school—it’s a hub of innovative thinking that engages students, seasoned entrepreneurs, small businesses, change makers and leaders. Innovators from all disciplines come to the Schulze School to explore new opportunities, make connections and turn their ideas into reality.

We are a residential liberal arts university with a world-class entrepreneurship program.

MEDA strives to provide BIPOC-owned business with technical assistance, lending services, and connections to contract opportunities. To achieve these aims, we administer the following programs:
1. Volunteer Accelerator Network – VAN pairs underserved entrepreneurs with established business mentors to facilitate growth and support during critical early phases of their business journey
2. Business Consulting – MEDA provides one-on-one technical assistance in areas such as operations, finances, human resources, corporate structure, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and business education – all key to growing and sustaining successful businesses.
3. ASCEND Twin Cities – Professional development program that offers management education and access to contract opportunities
4. Lending – MEDA provides access to capital through various loan programs

Invest In You, Inc. a nonprofit fund  provides support to smaller companies in Greater Minneapolis Metro that might not have access to reasonably priced financing. We do not take any form of ownership in the companies. We loan up to $100,000, @ 4% interest only for 3 years. Financing is provided to entrepreneurs on the condition that they agree to accept free coaching. Because of the coaching and financing, we expect the entrepreneurs to achieve success sooner!  If you have been in business for over 12 months and would like a hand up, we would like to help you.

In-Kind Sponsors

At Modern Foundation, we believe data tells a story—and we’re here to turn those insights into transformative strategies that fuel your growth.

From strategic planning to SEO, social advertising, and content planning, we craft optimized digital experiences tailored to your industry, business goals, and customers. In a crowded digital landscape, we set you apart with bold, innovative ideas rooted in robust analysis and measurable results.

Whether you’re B2B, B2C, or E-commerce, we uncover your unique value proposition, design purchase funnels, and deliver results-driven strategies that shorten sales cycles and grow revenue. Let’s discover, develop, and deliver together.

 Founded by entrepreneurs and built for entrepreneurs, Blue Sparq Marketing supercharges your growth trajectory with smart, strategic, and sensible marketing solutions that offer everything you need and nothing you don’t. We act as an extension of your team, working hard to get you from where you are today to where you want to be.

A custom strategic marketing blueprint and monthly services packages maximize your investment and focus on real deliverables and real results.  We’ll help you choose what you need today and adjust as your needs change.

You built the foundation, we’ll spark the fire. Together, we’ll ignite the path to your future and ongoing success.

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal is a multi-platform media company providing in-depth coverage of local business and breaking news. Through print, digital products, and events, The Business Journal offers leaders many avenues for making connections and giving a competitive edge locally, regionally, and nationally. We offer premier media solutions for companies that target business decision-makers. Whether through exclusive content, premium events, or tailored advertising, our platform ensures you connect with the change-makers driving economic growth in the region.