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Start Up Minot Set to Begin in January

Posted: Jan 05 2022

Leaders from multiple business-support organizations in the Minot region announced on December 16 new efforts to pool resources and focus on assisting those who own or operate new or growing businesses through a coalition called Start Up Minot.

Start Up Minot is designed to invigorate, encourage and entice entrepreneurs in the Minot region to execute their business idea. The regional coalition of support is in place for start-up companies, anyone with an idea for growing or starting their own business, or if an existing business is stuck and needs some help. Start Up Minot is two-pronged, with a cohort-based 10-week class called Start Up Minot Academy powered by CO.STARTERS, and a monthly business showcase/networking event under the name Start Up Minot that will focus on sharing the story of new and growing companies while connecting likeminded business leaders.

“A large part of our success as a community and state comes from the success of new and existing businesses in our region. The Start Up Minot coalition and its efforts to teach entrepreneurs, and provide a networking event within our region, will go a long way to growing what is already a great business environment in to an even better business environment,” said L. John MacMartin, president of the Minot Area Chamber EDC.

“The North Dakota Small Business Development Centers is proud to be a key financial supporter and coalition member for this start-up group supporting companies and the entrepreneurs who are starting, managing and growing their business,” said Mary Beth Votava, Minot center director of the ND Small Business Development Centers. “We feel strongly that both the Start Up Minot Academy and the Start Up Minot networking event will be useful tools for growing the ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs and business owners in the region.”

The coalition includes the following groups and businesses: ND Small Business Development Centers, Minot Area Chamber EDC, MSU Severson Entrepreneurship Academy, Strengthen ND, Creedence Energy, Souris Basin Planning Council, Dakota Business Lending and others.

The first Start Up Minot business showcase/networking event will be held Thursday, Jan. 13 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Carnegie Center, 105 2nd Ave. SE, in downtown Minot. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees can anticipate hearing from Kevin Black, founder and CEO of Creedence Energy Services and MACEDC board member, and Jazmine Schultz, co-owner of Prairie Sky Breads in Minot at the first event. Future monthly gatherings will feature speakers from the community as they share their unique entrepreneur experience.

A Facebook page is set up to communicate information about both the Business Showcase/Networking event and the Academy class. Follow and like the page at www.facebook.com/startupminot.