Nick Tietz

ILT Academy

• What is your current role? CEO and Founder of ILT Academy
• How long have you been in your current role? 4.5 years
• What is something people may not know about you? I was adopted from an orphanage in Bogota, Colombia
• What is your favorite part of your position? Meeting so many wonderful, creative and driven problem solvers.
• What is a hope or dream for growth within your position/company? To inspire and active 450,000 innovators and entrepreneurs to build 100,000 sustainable new businesses.

Events & Cohort

Information

SPECIAL POP-UP START.UP CONNECT - Happy Hour Session! This free meetup is for entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives, and community members to come together and share their startup story with founders from central MN and beyond. At the core, this event will place an emphasis on creating connections and sharing stories. Check out the details for our 4/3 event here.

Upcoming Launch MN 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.

Crafting connections and brewing success for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Crow Wing County. Join us for a deep dive into a monthly topic on tap, opportunities to network, and Q&A with North Central SBDC business consultants. Hosted by BLAEDC and the North Central Small Business Development Center. Beverages and food can be purchased at the venue, bring a business card to be entered into a drawing for a free drink!

April Topic on Tap: Employee Recruitment & Retention

- 5:00pm- Check-In, grab food and drinks
- 5:30pm- Topic on Tap
- 6:00pm- Questions and Networking

No registration is needed for this FREE event! 

AI for Small Business Workshop

Entrepreneurs who want to demystify artificial intelligence and learn its transformative power.

It will cover practical applications that drive growth, efficiency, and customer engagement. Participants will learn how to use AI to streamline key business areas such as customer service, marketing, operations and management. This workshop is designed to empower attendees from all levels of technical backgrounds to implement AI solutions tailored to their business needs.

April 17th

9am - 4pm

Grant Writing 101

Beginner-Level Workshop

Help build new capacity for nonprofit organizations and local units of government. This intensive, hands-on training will help aspiring grant writers approach grant writing with increased confidence.

• Know what an organization needs to have in place before writing a gran
• Understand how to find grant opportunities
• Understand what funders are looking for in grant applications
• Learn the key sections of grant proposals
• Craft grant proposals sections that tell a coherent and compelling story
• Learn More Here

Mentor Morning - Leading Tiny Teams

Third Session featuring Sandy Voigt - Women's Business Alliance

Whether you manage a team of one or a few, this session will offer powerful insights into leadership, communication, and maximizing impact with limited resources. Connect with other local entrepreneurs, share experiences, and get inspired to lead your tiny (but mighty!) team with confidence. Free to attend!

 What to Expect:

• Fresh local coffee & treats
• Networking with fellow small business owners
• Actionable takeaways from an experienced business leader
• A supportive and energizing environment

The North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Central Lakes College and SCORE

Nonprofit Lunch & Learn

5/22   I   11:45 - 1:00pm   I   St. Cloud Public Library

Join the St. Cloud nonprofit community for lunch and an exclusive Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) State of the Sector briefing! Emily Steinmetz, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Central Minnesota regional representative, will break down the latest insights from the MCN Nonprofit Current Conditions Report and provide timely legislative updates. Register Here.

Thurs, May 8th, 8am - May 9th, 12pm

Huntington Bank Stadium

Hosted by Groove Capital - Ready to elevate your knowledge? Join me at Angel Fest 2025, an energetic conference bringing together early-stage investors from Minnesota and beyond.

A place to:

• Connect with thought leaders
• dive into interactive sessions and network with hundreds of
  fellow investors shaping the future.

For the first time, Angel Fest will include a second day focused on due diligence and practical application, featuring expert panels, startup pitches, and group discussions to help you put the conference insights into action. Secure your spot here.

Early Stage Startup Funding Workshop -  April 8th, 2025 -  Are you an aspiring entrepreneur looking to launch your startup with confidence? Join us for an immersive workshop designed to demystify the complexities of startup finances and equip you with the essential tools to effectively manage your company's financial health.

2025 Minnesota Cup!

Application Now Open!

• $5 Million -Cash Prizes Given
• Over 20,000 Entrepreneurs Served Across Minnesota
• $1 Billion Capital Raised by Top MN Cup Founders

What is MN Cup?

MN Cup is a community-led, public-private partnership that brings together corporations, VCs, foundations, government and skilled volunteers to support Minnesota’s entrepreneurs.

The core of our programming is an annual competition that reaches emerging entrepreneurs from across the state and connects them with tools, resources and support to launch and accelerate the development of their new ventures. The competition inspires entrepreneurs to begin their startup journey, supports them as they develop a solid business plan, provides exposure for their ideas and offers numerous opportunities to expand their networks.

Are you hosting an entrepreneur-focused event that is open to all?

Please submit information for the event here!

Have questions? Either respond to this email or contact the sender on jweber@greaterstcloud.com