Building Scalable Businesses
Ascend Twin Cities is a professional development program designed to help underserved entrepreneurs prepare to scale their businesses and compete for corporate contracts.
Participants take part in a cohort-based management education program delivered by the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the Carlson School of Management, with curriculum focused on contract readiness, business growth, and the skills needed to successfully pursue new opportunities.
Through participating Ascend Anchor companies, cohort members also gain access to potential contract opportunities.
By combining business education, corporate connections, and access to capital, Ascend gives entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to grow their businesses with confidence.
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Access
Access to capital through SBA and conventional lending, equity investment, and grants for underserved entrepreneurs.
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Partner
Partnerships with global corporations and underserved entrepreneurs nationally to facilitate contract opportunities.
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Growth
Best-in-class curriculum, offered by the University of Minnesota for underserved entrepreneurs on contract readiness with anchor organizations.
Our ANCHOR companies
Partner with Leading Corporations
Fueled by an unprecedented commitment from five global companies, our initiative launched with the support of Target, Best Buy, General Mills, Cargill, and Travelers.
Your Vision, Ready to Grow
Turn potential into reality. Our small business owners represent a powerful combination of expertise, innovation, and commitment to scale. Expanding with the initiative and competing effectively.
Systems Change Through Supplier Diversity
Ascend Twin Cities is a partnership between MEDA and the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship (Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. With the support of our Anchor partners, we provide access to capital, market opportunities and business education to underserved entrepreneurs.
Our Strategy
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Advise
Ascend Twin Cities provides business owners with the consulting services they need, and works with anchors to deepen their supplier diversity programs
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Accelerate
We identify opportunities for businesses to scale, help them expand by facilitating the right partnerships, and offer them access to the capital they need to grow exponentially.
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Achieve
By establishing firm commitments and outlining benchmarks, Ascend Twin Cities helps businesses achieve sustainable results in industries with high GDP growth.
Our Partners
