The North is different – it’s a place where ideas are nurtured, community is valued, opportunities are created, and problems aren’t just discussed – they’re worked on – and solved. Forge North is a movement of entrepreneurs, investors, makers, collaborators, and allies from all industries and sectors working together to make Minneapolis - Saint Paul the best place to start and scale ventures that build wealth by solving global challenges.
External link for Forge North
400 Robert St N
#1600
St Paul, MN 55101, US
Happy New Year! If you're a Black founder growing a startup in one of these industries, consider applying for the gener8tor Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator! Digital Health Data Analytics Fintech Insurtech
Closing off the year with our last highlights from InsureTech Connect Vegas 2024 featuring Precious P. Drew, Senior Managing Director at gener8tor
We're grateful to be working alongside you, Al. Thank you for all the time and focus that you've poured into The MSP Equity Fund and the founders it supports!
Partner at gener8tor | Financial Strategy | Business Management | Innovation | Government & Community Affairs
What an incredible year for the The MSP Equity Fund team! 🚀 We are deeply grateful to our outstanding LPs, supporters, and partners from Minnesota and beyond. To date, the MSP Equity Fund has invested in seven venture capital funds through our fund-of-funds strategy and ten high-growth startups through the MSP Equity Investment Accelerator (led by the dynamic duo of Megan Baniecke and Precious P. Drew). While we’re incredibly proud of what we've achieved, we remain focused on what’s ahead. Above all, we are thrilled to have stayed true to our mission: making quality, impactful investments with funds and startups that are aligned in driving innovation and fostering inclusive economic growth, particularly in Minnesota but with national reach. Special shout out to Joe Kirgues, Troy Vosseller, Morris G., Jack Dempsey and Ben Ihde for your wise counsel and enduring support. 2024 was just the beginning. We are building momentum, and in 2025, we’re excited to expand our portfolio and partner with organizations that can amplify the fund’s impact even further. We’re energized and ready for what’s next! The MSP Equity Fund | gener8tor | GREATER MSP Partnership www.mspequityfund.com #Growth #Investment #Innovation #Technology #Minnesota #EconomicInclusion #VentureCapital
Forge North reposted this
💰 MIDWEST STARTUPS!! 💰 Apply to Midwest House's SXSW Midwest Madness Startup Competition! They’re taking the “Elite 8” startups from the bracket to compete ON STAGE at Midwest House for a $10,000 check! Apply here - - > https://lnkd.in/ejcWJZ_n Deadline is Friday, January 31st @ 5 pm EST #startupcompetition Midwest House @startupgrindgr
BETA's accelerator is now accepting applications! https://lnkd.in/gfP847mR
BETA Spring Cohort 2025 Applications are OPEN... Lets go... Click the Apply Now button and boost your chances for your start-up. https://www.beta.mn/
Minneapolis-Saint Paul showed up strong in EY's Entrepreneur of the Year awards last year. Who will represent us in 2025?
Program Manager, Entrepreneur of the Year | Social Impact Founder | Sales + Partnerships Leader | Ex. Comcast, Disney + St. Jude
🚨 Applications are now open for the 2025 Entrepreneur Of The Year Heartland program! 🚨 Do you know an entrepreneur in the Heartland* driving change and making an impact? They could be a 2025 winner! Eligibility: • CEO or president with 2+ years in the role • Founder, family business leader, or transformational CEO (even if not the original founder) • For-profit company has been in business for 2+ years • Previous finalists or applicants who didn’t win can reapply • Has an inspiring story to share Nominate them here: https://eoy.ey.com/home Applications close March 7th, 2025. Curious about the 2024 winners? Read more: https://lnkd.in/gQBhErS8 *The Heartland region encompasses MN, MO, KS, IA, NE, ND and SD. Erin Donovan | Dominic Iannazzo | Ricky Margarit | Grant Wayland | Jon DiGiacinto | Rachel Gage | Zac Smith | Ryan Hendler | Josephine Santos #eoyhl #eoyus
Forge North reposted this
***** Let’s celebrate entrepreneurship! ***** Join us in honoring 37 founders graduating from ILT Academy’s 10-week intensive program. Help us empower a new wave of entrepreneurs. Share your expertise, provide feedback, and celebrate startup talent. RSVP now and bring someone along to the ILT Founder Showcase Expo. #ilikethat RSVP Today: https://lnkd.in/gnn6TKtx ILT Academy Virtual Campus Thursday, December 19th, 2024 7:15 pm - 9:00pm (CST) Thank you to our generous sponsors: North Dakota Department of Commerce Northspan Group, Inc., Minnesota Department of Transportation, Sherburne County MN Government, the City of Becker, MN, and Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation #iLikeThat LaunchMinnesota Emerging Prairie Emerging Digital Academy North Dakota Women's Business Center Evolve Grand Forks Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND) NORTH DAKOTA COUNCIL ON THE ARTS Initiative Foundation Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation Fargo INC Dakota Business Lending Bremer Bank Kensington Bank Minot Area Chamber EDC Williston Area Chamber of Commerce Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce Rebecca Undem Calli Thorne Itasca Economic Development Corporation Minnesota Cup
Forge North reposted this
Investor/Executive in Residence @ True Ventures, Former Founder @ Upsie(Acquired by Akko)
Founders: Lets talk about the first (30 min) meeting with an investor. Here’s the truth. Investors are making decisions about you in a very short window. Is it fair? Probably not. But it’s the process. So much of the decision is about YOU! How you show up matters. Here’s three of the most common mistakes I see founders make in the first pitch: 1. Talking too much: You have 30 mins. Every great pitch I’ve seen, that got funded was a Q&A conversation. Investors were given a chance to ask a bunch of questions. You have a much better chance of getting to a second meeting if an investor walked away excited because all their initial questions got answered. 2. Depending on the deck: Decks are there to be guides. Not the main focus. I often see founders reading directly from the deck. Remember, you are Beyoncé performing. Imagine if she got on stage, turned around and sang off the Jumbotron behind her the whole concert. Boring right?? 3. Not being authentic: I know that this game can make you feel like you should be xyz to get money. Everything reenforces it. But the magic is in your unique experiences, insights and beliefs. Being “different” will make you stand out vs the other 50 pitches imma hear this week. Be yourself so the right people can find you! If an investor doesn’t like your authentic self, that just means you’re not the right fit for each other. That is ok. You only need one yes!! Now, go get that money!! 💰 💰💰
Today is your last chance to apply for funding through LaunchMN to support your programs that connect founders with venture capital investments. Best of luck! https://hubs.li/Q02Y_lGV0
If you run a program that connects founders with venture capital, today is your last chance to ask questions about a funding opportunity (details below). The grant application is due December 9. https://hubs.li/Q02Y_8lK0 Thanks to @LaunchMN for funding this opportunity!
Welcome back from Thanksgiving! We know that many founders are grateful for equity investments in their startups, and thanks to LaunchMN we can foster more of those investments. Apply for funding below and reach out by Thursday with any questions. https://hubs.li/Q02Y_5Wn0