Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation - Launch MN Program Specialist/SBAP Program Specialist
What is your current role? As the Program Specialist at GSDC my primary objective is to connect resources, like Launch MN, to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses from the Greater St. Cloud region and also the FastLane94 region. Make me your first point of contact with any Launch MN activity!
How long have you been in your current role? 8 Months
What is something people may not know about you? I have been apart of the dance community for 35 years - which is weird, because I feel like I am only 20 years old - This is my eighth season being head coach for the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School dance team. It truly bring me such joy to see people set goals, achieve, or learn from them. My daughter Jadyn is at the Carlson School of Business at U of M, my sons Carson and Austin attend the Middle and High School in Sauk Rapids-Rice school district, and my husband Ben is the HVAC Coordinator for Inventure Properties.
What is your favorite part of your position? Similar to coaching, I get to help guide people to resources to make their dreams come true. The road is not always easy, but when you can see someone conquer something they may have doubted themselves on, it gives all the warm fuzzies!
What is a hope or dream for growth within your position/company? I want to continue to grow programs that work and provide for small business, entrepreneurs, and startups! I envision large events of networking, speakers, and a collaboration place where our community can grow together. I want to be THEE spot that entrepreneurs and startups come to when they are ready to take their next steps....or first steps!
Upcoming Events & Cohort Information
November Speakers Announced! Join us for Start.Up Connect in Downtown St. Cloud
This meetup is for entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives, and community members to come together and explore the entrepreneurial journey with founders from central MN and beyond.
Fostering community, building ideas, and creating new connections is central to ILT Studios and ILT Academy. Our purpose is to bring people together to inspire collaborations, and share their ideas.
Agenda:
8:00 am- Coffee + Connect (Thank you to our coffee sponsor Kinder Coffee Lab)
8:30 am - Speakers Begin
9:15 am - Program concludes
Location:
113 5th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301 - 2nd Floor of the old Davidson Opera House downtown St. Cloud
Learn more about the 11/6 #StartupConnectChallenge with a chance to win $100 gift card!
You will hear over 40 founders pitch their businesses and network with individuals from all across the country virtually from 6:15pm-9:00pm. Sign up here!
Great event if you are interested in:
Mentoring Founders
Giving feedback
Upcoming LaunchMN Events
Launch Minnesota’s calendar contains events from organizations across the state. This is your place to find networking groups, pitch competitions, coffee clubs, learning opportunities and more, both in your region and throughout Minnesota.
Veterans have the character, discipline and skills needed to succeed as a small business owners and entrepreneurs. Wondering what it takes and how you can prepare?
Bennies in Business Mentorship Program
Kickoff Event at ILT Studios
November 22nd 7:30pm
Join us in creating a connection between current Bennies and motivated professionals through the Bennies in Business Mentorship Program! An unique opportunity for experienced professionals to provide guidance, friendship, and professional advice to mentees.
Why get involved?
This program utilizes a peer mentoring approach, making networking and mentorship flexible, timely, and personalized. By participating, you can make a lasting impact on the professional journeys of current Bennies.
Use the QR code to signup to be a female mentor!
10 - Week Program, Registration Now Open!
Who should apply?
The program is ideal for early-stage entrepreneurs working on clean energy, climate, and sustainability concepts/businesses ready to take their ventures to the next level. We’re looking for startups beyond the ideation phase with a solid business concept but need support with market entry, customer attraction, and fundraising. You don’t need to be a technical startup to benefit. There are endless opportunities to address these challenges through innovative products, services, and community-driven solutions that can make a real impact.
Exciting Opportunity for Healthcare Entrepreneurs!
As part of a state-supported grant initiative, UMN’s Medical Valuation Laboratory is working to identify and assist underrepresented healthcare entrepreneurs in Minnesota. The goal is to help these innovators develop their ideas—whether product, service, or startup—into successful businesses, entirely at no cost to them
Offer participants access to:
Educational Sessions
Networking Events
Mentorship from Industry Experts
Comprehensive market assessments
If you're interested, to learn more or have a brief call please reach out to dane.stimat@finnitsea.com
Calling All Small Business Owners, Founders, Entrepreneurs, and Resource Providers
The GSDC is hosting our quarterly resource matchmaking event, designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and growth within the FastLane94 entrepreneurial ecosystem at The Clearing, 12/4 from 3:00-5:00 pm.
Come learn what growth opportunities exist!
Free Table for Resource Providers
Resource Providers & Entrepreneurs meet for face-to-face conversations
Entrepreneurs/startups/small businesses can learn about what is available to support their idea or current business.