Driving Access to
Wealth & Networks

DRIVING ACCESS TO
WEALTH & NETWORKS

Forming Connections

We connect people and communities to build trust, share knowledge, and work together toward common goals.

Inclusion Learning Cohorts

Contact Amber Lewis

Date: TBD 2025/26

Workforce Solutions Series

Contact Ali Bilden Camps

Date: TBD 2025/26

Innovator’s Lab

Where: In-person @ Northspan

Where: Via Zoom

Date: June 4, 2025

Time: 1:00-5:00pm

Virtual Business Resource Summit

Registration Coming Soon

Where: Via Zoom

Date: December 4, 2025

Time: 9:00-10:30am

Equity Summit

Iron Trail Motors Event Center

Date: TBD 2026

Succession Strategies Summit

Iron Trail Motors Event Center

Date: TBD 2026

Northland Small Business Development Center

Serves the Northeast Minnesota counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis. Our consultants work throughout this region to help anyone seeking assistance to start, manage, or grow a business, and our services are offered at no-cost to clients.

Learn more here.

LegalCORPS

Offers free business legal help to low-income entrepreneurs, business owners, inventors, and low-revenue nonprofit organizations via volunteer attorneys

Learn more here.

Veterans! Boots to Business (B2B)

an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP). 

Sign up here.

Veterans Business Outreach Center
(VBOC) program

offers resources to veterans, service members, and military spouses who are interested in starting or growing a small business.

Click here to learn more.

Free Small Business Mentorship and Resources

Learn more here.

Sign up for workshops, HERE!

in-person workshops

Learn more here.

Sign up for workshops, HERE!

BUILDING CAPACITY

We align diverse programs, partners, and stakeholders to streamline efforts, share resources, and achieve common goals more effectively.

Curated Site Selection Database and Property Search Assistance

Helping businesses navigate the complexities of property development and expansion, fostering regional economic growth and stability.

Get Connected here!

curated Job Marketplace

Enhancing employer & workforce readiness and helping bridge the gap between job seekers and employers, contributing to regional economic resilience. 

Get Connected here!

Research & Data Support for Regional Demographic and Workforce Information 

Contact Shaun Hainey

Returnship Toolkit

Contact Ali Bilden Camps

Community Safety & Inclusion Trainings

Contact Amber Lewis

Date: TBD 2025/26

Apply for our Next Cohort

We help underestimated entrepreneurs in underserved communities create untold opportunity.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Micro-Enterprise + CM Solutions

Provides entrepreneurial technical assistance, access to capital, a peer network support system, referrals, advocacy, and business coaching services. 

Click here to learn more and apply.

Family Freedom Center’s Freedom Startups

Creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers Black and Brown business owners to build generational wealth around their culture and heritage.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Be strategic: Grow Your Business

Maximize your potential by focusing on your business strategy, not just the day-to-day operations.

Learn More Here

 

Women’s Business Alliance

A program offering personalized advising, growth-focused training, networking opportunities, and access to capital for entrepreneurs.

Learn More Here

Business Masterminds

Applications now open for 2025 Business Masterminds in Duluth and St. Cloud, MN! Join a dynamic peer group of entrepreneurs with a shared drive to grow, learn, and transform challenges into opportunities.

Learn More Here

Profit Mastery

Maximize your profits and better understand you business financials.

Learn More Here

ACCESSING CAPITAL

We expand access to vital resources by connecting you with networks, knowledge, and experience to remove barriers and support your growth.

Non-Traditional Lender Forums

May 22nd 1130am-100pm, Kitchi Gammi Club in Duluth, MN.

August 14th 1130am-100pm, TimberLake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN.

REGISTER HERE

DAWNtrepreneur Resource Fair, Showcase, & Pitch Competition

Join us Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 5:00 – 8:00pm @ Maco Theater in Virginia, MN

Registration to attend & applications to showcase and/or pitch will be open soon.

State Small Business Credit Initiative

Eligible applicants include members and first descendants of the Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, and Grand Portage Bands.

Applications are open, click here to learn more or contact Jared Dunlap jdunlap@northspan.org

small business lending

Who is the entprenuer fund?

Learn more about our lending here.

Kiva small business loans

Learn more here.

Start application process, HERE!

Engage an Angel

Zeitgeist Arts

Date: TBD 2026

More information to coming later this year.

Forming Connections

We connect people and communities to build trust, share knowledge, and work together toward common goals.

Inclusion Learning Cohorts

Contact Amber Lewis

Date: TBD 2025/26

Workforce Solutions Series

Contact Ali Bilden Camps

Date: TBD 2025/26

Innovator’s Lab

Where: In-person @ Northspan

Where: Via Zoom

Date: June 4, 2025

Time: 1:00-5:00pm

Virtual Business Resource Summit

Registration Coming Soon

Where: Via Zoom

Date: December 4, 2025

Time: 9:00-10:30am

Equity Summit

Iron Trail Motors Event Center

Date: TBD 2026

Succession Strategies Summit

Iron Trail Motors Event Center

Date: TBD 2026

Northland Small Business Development Center

Serves the Northeast Minnesota counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis. Our consultants work throughout this region to help anyone seeking assistance to start, manage, or grow a business, and our services are offered at no-cost to clients.

Learn more here.

LegalCORPS

Offers free business legal help to low-income entrepreneurs, business owners, inventors, and low-revenue nonprofit organizations via volunteer attorneys

Learn more here.

Veterans! Boots to Business (B2B)

an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP). 

Sign up here.

Veterans Business Outreach Center
(VBOC) program

offers resources to veterans, service members, and military spouses who are interested in starting or growing a small business.

Click here to learn more.

Free Small Business Mentorship and Resources

Learn more here.

Sign up for workshops, HERE!

in-person workshops

Learn more here.

Sign up for workshops, HERE!

BUILDING CAPACITY

We align diverse programs, partners, and stakeholders to streamline efforts, share resources, and achieve common goals more effectively.

Curated Site Selection Database and Property Search Assistance

Helping businesses navigate the complexities of property development and expansion, fostering regional economic growth and stability.

Get Connected here!

curated Job Marketplace

Enhancing employer & workforce readiness and helping bridge the gap between job seekers and employers, contributing to regional economic resilience. 

Get Connected here!

Research & Data Support for Regional Demographic and Workforce Information 

Contact Shaun Hainey

Returnship Toolkit

Contact Ali Bilden Camps

Community Safety & Inclusion Trainings

Contact Amber Lewis

Date: TBD 2025/26

Apply for our Next Cohort

We help underestimated entrepreneurs in underserved communities create untold opportunity.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Micro-Enterprise + CM Solutions

Provides entrepreneurial technical assistance, access to capital, a peer network support system, referrals, advocacy, and business coaching services. 

Click here to learn more and apply.

Family Freedom Center’s Freedom Startups

Creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers Black and Brown business owners to build generational wealth around their culture and heritage.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Be strategic: Grow Your Business

Maximize your potential by focusing on your business strategy, not just the day-to-day operations.

Learn More Here

 

Women’s Business Alliance

A program offering personalized advising, growth-focused training, networking opportunities, and access to capital for entrepreneurs.

Learn More Here

Business Masterminds

Applications now open for 2025 Business Masterminds in Duluth and St. Cloud, MN! Join a dynamic peer group of entrepreneurs with a shared drive to grow, learn, and transform challenges into opportunities.

Learn More Here

Profit Mastery

Maximize your profits and better understand you business financials.

Learn More Here

ACCESSING CAPITAL

We expand access to vital resources by connecting you with networks, knowledge, and experience to remove barriers and support your growth.

Non-Traditional Lender Forums

May 22nd 1130am-100pm, Kitchi Gammi Club in Duluth, MN.

August 14th 1130am-100pm, TimberLake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN.

REGISTER HERE

DAWNtrepreneur Resource Fair, Showcase, & Pitch Competition

Join us Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 5:00 – 8:00pm @ Maco Theater in Virginia, MN

Registration to attend & applications to showcase and/or pitch will be open soon.

State Small Business Credit Initiative

Eligible applicants include members and first descendants of the Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, and Grand Portage Bands.

Applications are open, click here to learn more or contact Jared Dunlap jdunlap@northspan.org

small business lending

Who is the entprenuer fund?

Learn more about our lending here.

Kiva small business loans

Learn more here.

Start application process, HERE!

Engage an Angel

Zeitgeist Arts

Date: TBD 2026

More information to coming later this year.

202 W Superior St , Suite 600

Duluth, MN 55802

There are times when technology cannot replace the value of human interaction. That’s why we’re proud to say that we have boots on the ground, and not just bots. 

Elissa Hansen, Northspan President & CEO

We’re proud to say that we have boots on the ground, and not just bots. 

ELISSA HANSEN, NORTHSPAN PRESIDENT & CEO AND DAWN PROGRAM MANAGER

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