Meet Ryan Weber

Great North Ventures - Managing Partner

(Note: Also part of the Sartell High School Gymnastics Dad group as seen in photo above sporting his Dad Uniform.)

• What is your current role?  I am a Managing Partner at Great North Ventures (http://www.greatnorthventures.com). I am a primary contributor in investor relations and investment activity for the fund. On investing, I help lead sourcing & diligence work for the fund as well as managing the active portfolio.
• How long have you been in your current role? The fund had its first closing in Q1 of 2018 so since that point we've been actively investing and managing the fund. 
• What is something people may not know about you? I grew up in the northwest suburbs along with my partner and identical twin brother Rob Weber. We started building web-sites in high school during our junior and senior years at NHCC from '96-'98.  Our first web-sites were built on topics we were passionate about including sports cards and Minnesota golf!
• What is your favorite part of your position? I enjoy learning about the markets and businesses we invest in and working with the management teams to help them overcome any challenges they have in finding product-market fit or scaling. 
• What is a hope or dream for growth within your position/company? I hope to see that the companies we back are successful but also that the talent that works with them go on to do 10x more in terms of building and supporting successful startups in their region and markets. 

Events & Cohort Information

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 2/5 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.

Calling all Women Entrepreneurs

Pitch Presenters Needed

Are you ready to showcase your business idea and gain valuable feedback? Apply now to be a Pitch Presenter at She Leads Brainerd 2025 on April 25 at Madden’s on Gull Lake! This is your opportunity to present your business to a panel of supportive local experts in a non-competitive, no-pressure environment.

We have 14 exclusive slots available. Applications are open until February 28, 2025, with notifications sent by March 17, 2025. Priority will be given to early applications.

AI to Drive Nonprofit Success

Small Non-Profit Training Option

The goals of this training are to:

• Highlight multiple AI tools that can help your organization increase efficiency and impact.
• Discuss ways to embrace AI without creating risk for your organization.
• Practice using the various AI tools as a group with time for hands-on help and group discussion about what worked and what did not.
• Provide time for you and anyone else from your organization to work on a project together using AI tools. There will be time for questions, feedback, and suggestions as you work on your own project.

Buy a Business Basics

For First Time Business Buyers

In partnership with the North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Buying a Business Basics workshop will provide a comprehensive introduction to the essential steps, considerations, and strategies involved in buying a business. It covers everything from evaluating potential business opportunities to understanding financing options, due diligence, and negotiating terms. 

Back By Popular Demand

Nonprofit Training Opportunity

Unlike typical businesses, nonprofits are not owned. They are overseen by boards of directors who represent the best interests of an organization and its mission. Building an effective board can be one of the trickiest jobs for a nonprofit executive director. To help them work effectively, nonprofit board members need ongoing information, direction, and a deep understanding of the organization’s mission, vision and values.

February 27th

1:30-4:30pm

Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity - Brainerd

February 20th

12:00-1:00pm CT

Risky Business:

Planning for Risks on the Path of Commercialization

Entrepreneurship, at any level in the food and agricultural industry, incurs risk. Planning for and managing these risks enables resiliency and allows for intentional progression through innovation stage gates.

Come Support Student Entrepreneurs

Audience Members Needed

College of St. Benedict and St. John's University is looking for in-person audience judges for their Big Idea Competition on March 5th from 6:00-8:00pm at the Gorecki Family Theatre on the College of St. Benedict Campus.

Who Competes?

• Students must submit a 30-second video pitching their venture. Once the deadline closes for submissions, a group of Bennie and Johnnie Entrepreneur Scholar alums select the top 10 pitches to compete as finalists. 
• Those finalists will give a 90-second pitch to a live audience at the Big Idea event on March 5, 2025. 
• Judges will select the top three for a Q + A session and a chance to win one of the top three cash prizes!

If interested in being an in-person audience judge, please contact Becca Brzezinski at rbrzezins001@csbsju.edu.

Startup Twin Cities

Monthly Networking - 1st Monday 

By startups, for startups. The ultimate event to connect with startups in the Twin Cities, on the first Monday of every month.

February 3rd, Featured Entrepreneur: Clare Richards, Impacks - Purchase Tickets Here

Pop-Up Shop Opens

Entrepreneurs Make Their Visions Come To Life.

Showcasing local entrepreneurs, this GSDC + Thrive MN space offers a unique opportunity to experience having a storefront in St. Cloud. Whether you're looking to test a retail concept or host an event, the possibilities are endless.

Coffee vendor, artist, paint-and-sip business—what will you create?

Contact Jennie Weber at jweber@greaterstcloud.com to learn more about this blank-slate opportunity to bring an entrepreneurial vision to life.

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