Elissa Hansen, Northspan president & CEO and DAWN Program Manager

Our Program Mission

To address needs related to successful entrepreneurship and business growth among Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) in our region.

DAWN, formerly known as Innovate 218, has undergone some great changes. We have rebranded as DAWN, Driving Access to Wealth & Networks in the northland. We are the Launch Minnesota regional hub for northeast Minnesota, learn more here.

Northspan Group, Inc. received a large Federal grant from the Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency, now paired with our State of Minnesota Launch regional hub funding, that focuses on inclusion of Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI). Barriers to successful entrepreneurship for SEDI inhibit growth, innovation, and equitable access to resources in the region.

To learn more and connect with us, click here to complete our intake form, and we will contact you!

DAWN Serves

6 NATIVE NATIONS

Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Red Lake Nation

10 MINNESOTA COUNTIES

St. Louis
Lake
Cook
Koochiching
Itasca
Aitkin
Carlton
Pine
Mille Lacs
Kanabec

Let's Engage
& Elevate

Let's Engage
& Elevate

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 and DAWN Program Manager

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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