Grow your Small Business
We're here to help you reach your full potential.
Minnesota is the best place you could start your small business, and in fact, if you start your business here, it has a greater chance it'll still be open than anywhere else in the country. We're here to help you start, grow and thrive.
- Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program provides loans to businesses owned and operated by Black, Indigenous and people of color, low-income persons, women, veterans and/or persons with disabilities. DEED provides grant funds to a network of nonprofit lenders that use these funds for loans to startups and expanding businesses throughout the state.
- MN Reservist and Veteran Business Loan Program provides interest-free loans of up to $20,000 to businesses adversely affected when certain employees are called to active military duty and to individual veterans who have returned from active duty and want to start their own business.
- Indian Business Loan Program supports the development of native-owned and operated businesses and promotes economic opportunities for native people in Minnesota. Loans may be up to 75 percent of project costs and feature favorable interest rates and repayment terms.
- STEP grants (50% matching up to $7,500) support a range of export development activities, including participation in virtual and in-person trade shows and missions.
Ongoing Technical Assistance for Small Businesses
- Launch Minnesota Network is a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation.
- Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) offer all types of business technical support at no cost.
- Small Business Assistance Office offers individual consultation and comprehensive guidebooks aimed to lower the cost of starting and maintaining a business.
- Business Development Competitive Grantees are small business assistance partners across the state who provide services and technical assistance to emerging businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Small Business Partnerships support the startup, growth, and success of Minnesota's diverse entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Learn about all of Minnesota's Economic Development Programs and Services in our Resource Guide.