Accelerate Your Business Growth

Ascend Twin Cities is committed to tapping into your business’s full potential by supporting you as an entrepreneur.

Value Prop

Ascend Twin Cities’ program architecture is designed to support you from all angles and help your business succeed in the long-term.

Contract Readiness

Our Ascend BIPOC Entrepreneurs receive management education with a focus on contract-readiness. The curriculum is delivered by Holmes School of Business and includes strategies that support sustainability and growth.

Access to Opportunities

Entrepreneurs gain access to contracts with participating Anchors. We provide ongoing connections to Anchors and their procurement teams. Our Entrepreneurs and Anchors are brought together to review procurement processes and potential contract opportunities.

Accelerate Growth

BIPOC Entrepreneurs have access to capital or equity for hiring, increasing inventory, building capacity, or scaling up to meet anchor contract needs. We provide ongoing technical assistance to plan for business growth.

92% of Ascend Twin Cities Entrepreneurs

received some form of COVID19 relief funding, EIDL, PPP, and/or government grants. By contrast, just 12% of black and Latino business owners who applied for PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans reported receiving what they asked for.