ConnectUP! Institute

💙 Do you want to make an impact on the lives of Minnesota entrepreneurs in 2025? Have you been considering a non-profit career or a switch in the advocacy work you're already doing? Join the ConnectUP! team!! We’re #hiring for a Communications Lead/Specialist to take our marketing and communications strategy to the next level! Does this sound like the role for you? We are a Black woman-founded and -led nonprofit organization curating connections among entrepreneurs, investors, and the business ecosystem to advance equitable access to capital, resources and networks for underinvested communities. You'll get a chance to bring your expertise to a collaborative team, our community events and the local founder community. Learn more about the role and our organization at https://lnkd.in/gfkehFih 👋🏽 This is an in-person roles in St. Paul, MN, applications will be reviewed on a roling basis. 💸Salary range $50K-$60K Y. Elaine Rasmussen, Natalie Novacek, Marsha Allen, Joanna Drew,

What do I wear? Where do I look? What should I do with my hands? Learn the answers to these questions and so much more with Maggie Winter of MK Consulting Join us next week and you will leave the BossUp Circle with a 30-second video that can be used for your website or social media. Tickets are limited so RSVP today! 🗓️Thursday, January 23rd 🕜5pm-6:30pm 🎟️$25- reserve your spot at https://lnkd.in/guXW7aFG #ConnectUP #LevelUp #BossUp #MNFounder #Entrepreneur

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 We’re thrilled to announce that on Thursday, ConnectUP! Founder and Executive Director, Y. Elaine Rasmussen, will be hosting State of Founders 2025, presented by BETA at Luminary Arts Center!! Alongside a dynamic lineup of founders, thought leaders, and startup enthusiasts Y. Elaine Rasmussen will guide the event as they reflect on the Minnesota startup ecosystem and share big ideas for the future. Stay tuned for some event pics! 👉 Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q02_SNM30 #StateOfFounders2025 #MinnesotaStartups #StartupEcosystem #Innovation

The number one need of entrepreneurs is capital - to start, scale, and sustain their businesses but if you aren’t ready with the right documentation and mindset, those dollars can only go so far! 🤑 Get ready (and stay ready) to secure the bag for your small business with our Capital Readiness Accelerator- APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN THROUGH FEBRUARY 2nd! Our Capital Readiness Accelerator will prepare you and your business to receive capital from an array of funding institutions, like our Integrated Capital Fund. Through the accelerator, you’ll work with an executive business coach to build and understand: 💰Profit & Loss Statements 💰Cash Flow Statements 💰Capital Planning 💰Organizational Budgeting Ready to level-up your money mindset? Learn more and apply at connectupmn.org/programs #ConnectUP #Accelerator #MNSmallBusiness #MNStartup #MNEntrepreneurs

🪐🚀🌟⁠ Applications are OFFICIALLY OPEN for #Cohort9 of the Lunar Startups Accelerator at ConnectUP! Institute– will you join our orbit? Submit your application by February 2, 2025. ✋ But wait — how do you know if the accelerator program is right for your budding startup? The Lunar Accelerator is a customized cohort program is best suited for a wide variety of companies focusing on figuring out the business of their business with big plans to grow. Lunar alumni have gone on to raise seed funding, land on shelves in major stores, open new brick and mortar locations, and even launch NEW businesses after completing the program. Plus, everyone becomes part of our #HypeSquad for life! So what do you say — do you want to join the Lunar Startups Accelerator Program? Visit connectupmn.org/programs to apply today! #LunarStartupsAccelerator #LevelUp #HypeSquad

In November, we hosted our first Business Growth with A.I. Mini Summit, bringing together a dynamic group of entrepreneurs, business experts and organizations! We had an incredible time learning and connecting with the Minnesota entrepreneur ecosystem. ❤️ Our founder community showed up and showed out to meet, learn and make real commitments to enhancing resources and access for entrepreneurs across the state of Minnesota and beyond! From the delicious local meals to the sessions and panels to our closing dance, everyone brought their full selves to help grow an informed and equitable entrepreneur ecosystem. Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and attendees for cultivating that space with us. ✨Want to relive these moments? Or did you miss out on the fun? Don’t worry, you can join us in April for our bi-annual Summit, a bigger, 2-day version of our Mini Summit! This year’s theme is Capital Readiness Inside + Out- visit connectupmn.org/2025summit to secure your spot! #MiniSummit2024 #MNEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowthwithAI Margaret (Maggie) Winter, Jasmine Russell, MBA, Taqee Khaled, Angel Even, Joanna Drew, Dhatri Chennavajula, Dianne S., La Juana Whitmore, MPNA, ASBC®, CFEI®, LaKisha Greenwade, Y. Elaine Rasmussen, Julie Rea, Justin Kaster, Natalie Novacek, Marsha Allen

✨Meet another member of #Cohort8 of our Lunar Startups Accelerator, Naaima Khan, the visionary behind Create Good. Create Good is a consultancy dedicated to advancing movements for racial and economic justice through equity-centered strategies, impact assessment, and storytelling. With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit and philanthropic spaces, Naaima’s expertise as a strategic planner, facilitator, evaluator, and equity leader has empowered organizations to operate in more inclusive and impactful ways. Based in Woodbury, Create Good is rooted in principles of authenticity, adaptability, and abundance, helping social good organizations translate their equity commitments into meaningful action. By integrating history, context, and power analysis, Create Good is paving the way for systemic change in racial and economic justice movements. Naaima holds a Master’s in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and serves on multiple boards, including Al-Maa'uun and the American Evaluation Association’s Independent Consulting group. As a founder, Naaima is excited to refine her business model, professionalize services, and gain financial planning skills to align her evolving purpose with her business growth. Welcome Naaima and Create Good LLC to our Lunar orbit! 🚀 #LunarStartups #ConnectUP #LevelUP

DATE CHANGE! 🚨 What do I wear? Where do I look? What should I do with my hands? Learn the answers to these questions and so much more with Margaret (Maggie) Winter of MK Consulting. Attendees will leave the BossUp Circle with a 30-second video that can be used for their website or social media. Tickets are limited so RSVP today! 🗓️Thursday, January 23rd 🕜5pm-6:30pm 🎟️$25- reserve your spot at Connectupmn.org/events #ConnectUP #LevelUp #BossUp #MNFounder #Entrepreneur

‼️There’s still time to make your 2024 tax-deductible donation to ConnectUP! Institute! By donating, you're not just backing individual entrepreneurs – you're fueling a movement. Visit connectupmn.org/donate to join our movement! 💙 Through our culturally responsive programs, we provide entrepreneurs of color with business know-how and mindset coaching so they have the resources they need to persist in confronting the systemic obstacles that were designed to hold them back. #ConnectUP #LevelUp #MNEntrepreneur #SmallBusiness