Minnesota

From Innovation to Inventory: Preparing Ulko Gear for Its Biggest Season Yet

What started as an innovative solution to a common cold-weather challenge grew into a business with increasing demand. As Ulko Gear expanded, founder Jolene Beisang worked with the Entrepreneur Fund to strengthen her business strategy and secure financing to build inventory ahead of the winter season, positioning the company for continued growth and new opportunities.

October 26, 2026

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From Field to Market: Building Stronger Food Systems Across Rural Minnesota

In spring 2026, the Entrepreneur Fund, with support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, awarded $450,000 in Rural Field to Market Grants to 26 farm and food businesses across Minnesota. For businesses like Spirit Lake Native Farms, the grant has funded critical infrastructure improvements that support both business growth and their mission of strengthening Indigenous food systems.

September 24, 2026

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Innovative technology. Innovative capital. BotCrew’s journey to scale

BotCrew is transforming how work gets done on construction sites with autonomous robots designed to address workforce shortages and improve efficiency. As the Duluth-based company expanded its national footprint, EFund provided innovative financing tailored to the needs of a high-growth business, helping BotCrew scale while creating technology and manufacturing jobs in northern Minnesota.

August 24, 2026

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2026 Mid-Year Snapshot: Adapting and Moving Forward

While early-year forecasts pointed to tighter margins, uncertain revenue, rising costs, and cautious consumer spending, many entrepreneurs have responded with resilience and strategic adaptation. Six months into 2026, here's what we're seeing across the region.

July 20, 2026

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$450,000 awarded to Strengthen Minnesota Food and Farm Businesses

With support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, EFund awards 26 grants to businesses advancing Minnesota’s field-to-market pipeline.

May 13, 2026

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2025 Impact Snapshot: A Year of Growth, Grounding and Regional Momentum

2025 was a year of meaningful growth across our region. Across the entire landscape, one theme was clear: entrepreneurs here are building, expanding, and investing in the future of their communities.

January 26, 2026

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Entrepreneur Fund Launches Rural Field to Market Grant

Funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation, these grants will provide direct support to Minnesota farm and food businesses.

December 29, 2025

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2025 Programs Renew Clarity, Confidence, and Collaboration

Ten programs supporting 74 business owners across the region showed just how powerful it can be to step away from the day-to-day and connect with peers to share ideas, challenges, and wins.

October 27, 2025

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Flood Recovery Funds for Cook Businesses Available Through 2025

Funding through the City of Cook Economic Recovery Fund is only available through the end of 2025. Eligible businesses impacted by the June 2024 flood can still apply for low-interest loans up to $250,000—with half forgivable after five years—to rebuild, restock, and recover.

October 14, 2025

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Growing Beyond the Backyard and Establishing Roots - Shoreview Natives, Two Harbors, MN

Former teacher Dan Schutte turned his passion for native plants into Shoreview Natives, a nursery restoring landscapes and supporting pollinators across northeastern Minnesota. With the Entrepreneur Fund’s flexible financing and strategic advising, he expanded to a new property with a greenhouse and community space.

September 18, 2025

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Scaling Big Ideas into Sustainable Growth with Dept. Two in Two Harbors, MN

From one salon to two businesses, Chrissy Scandin is growing her impact in Two Harbors. Through her ventures, she supports women entrepreneurs, showing how vision and dedication can strengthen both business and community. She’s proving that thoughtful growth can inspire others and transform a community.

August 19, 2025

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2024 Impact Snapshot: Building Stronger Businesses, Strengthening Communities

In 2024, the Entrepreneur Fund strengthened small businesses with millions in personalized lending and thousands of hours of strategic advising, driving resilience and community growth throughout our region.

March 24, 2025

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Before You Borrow: Is a Small Business Loan Right for You?

Wondering if a small business loan is right for you? We explore key factors to consider when deciding on financing and offer tips to position yourself for approval when opportunities arise.

March 13, 2025

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Achieve Your 2025 Business Goals with Entrepreneur Fund Programs

Whether you want to strengthen your financial skills, scale your operations, or navigate new challenges, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Explore our programs below and find the perfect fit to achieve your goals.

January 22, 2025

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Entrepreneur Fund Receives $9 Million Gift from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

Unrestricted gift will enable the Entrepreneur Fund to strengthen small businesses across Minnesota & Wisconsin.

September 12, 2024

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Entrepreneur Q&A: Transforming Business Through a Person-Centered Approach – Discovery Horse, Fort Ripley, MN

While it’s common for small business owners to take on multiple roles, Sara and Matt knew they were ready for growth, but they needed guidance on how to approach financing and make strategic business decisions. We recently caught up with Sara to see how their business has transformed over the last year.

May 23, 2024

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Healthy Food Fund: Nourishing Loans for Food Producers and Retailers

Catered to local grocers, convenience stores, and food producers in Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Healthy Food Fund offers low-rate loans with competitive terms paired with no-cost business advising.

March 21, 2024

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Lamppa Manufacturing doubles down on quality jobs in rural Tower, Minnesota

Lamppa Manufacturing has seen significant growth over the last few years. The Iron Range business recently partnered with the Entrepreneur Fund on its Quality Jobs Program, receiving support to improve employee safety, add benefit packages, and offer competitive wages.

October 11, 2023

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Partnering for Success: How we work together to grow small businesses in our region

How does the Entrepreneur Fund fit into the economic development ecosystem of Minnesota and northern Wisconsin?

August 24, 2023

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Sustaining a small northern town with access to shelter, hardware and sandwiches

Access to capital is a significant barrier that these businesses often face and yet they are essential to local economies.

August 3, 2023

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EFund Doubles in Size & Grows Leadership to Best Serve the Region

The Entrepreneur Fund is actively expanding its capacity to further its leadership in fostering economic resiliency and economic mobility for the region.

June 20, 2023

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Be Strategic: What is it and why should I apply?

The Be Strategic program allows business owners to work on their business, collaborate with non-competing businesses, benefit from experienced business advisors, create a strategic business plan for growth and build business confidence.

July 11, 2023

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From rural roots: Supporting rural entrepreneurship for over three decades

The Entrepreneur Fund was born out of a need to diversify industry on the Iron Range in the late 1980’s and early 90’s.

March 23, 2023

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Fueling Vibrant & Resilient Communities Through Local Food Systems

As a CDFI, the Entrepreneur Fund plays an important role in strengthening local food systems to support communities of all shapes and sizes in rural Minnesota and Wisconsin. We do this through our ability to provide lending and advising services to clients.

March 16, 2023

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2022 Impact Snapshot: Evolving for Tomorrow

The past few years have required all of us to think, adapt and plan in new and innovative ways.

February 9, 2023

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Growing & Brewing with Purpose – Warrior Brewing Company

A personalized lending package enabled the veterans to purchase equipment, obtain licensing and pay the first few months of start-up costs such as utilities and rent.

January 19, 2023

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New program for businesses interested in implementing automation technology

The Automation Loan Participation Program is designed to support manufacturing, technology and warehousing businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

January 5, 2023

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Annual survey provides insight into areas impacting Minnesota manufacturers

The annual survey of over 500 Minnesota manufacturing executives provides insight into the concerns and opportunities impacting manufacturers across the state.

December 13, 2022

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Entrepreneur Interview: Building Momentum with Stephanie Ferguson

The Fergusons opened Momentum Center, a low intensity residential treatment program, in August 2021 with the support of Entrepreneur Fund loans and advising.

December 21, 2022

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Growing Manufacturing on the Iron Range with Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions

The Entrepreneur Fund has business advisors located throughout northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. We are invested in the communities we serve. Our teams know their clients well and want to see them succeed.

November 10, 2022

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Cook's Country Connection: A one-of-a-kind community hub

Entrepreneurs like Lois are why we do what we do. Every day, we partner with entrepreneurs and small business owners across all industries and across a mostly rural region of 43,975 square miles because we believe they create vibrant, healthy communities.

December 1, 2022

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How a $10K microloan turned into a $4M+ business and long-term partnership with Duluth Coffee Company

As a U.S. Small Business Administration resource partner, EFund provided Duluth Coffee Company a $10,000 microloan to help purchase a 3-kilogram coffee roaster, allowing them to increase production and meet growing demand. Since that first loan, and subsequent EFund loans and programs, owner Eric Faust has grown the company exponentially.

October 25, 2022

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EFund Recognized as Minnesota's 2022 SBA Microlender of the Year

In 2021, EFund originated 132 SBA Microloans for a total of $4,100,000.

September 22, 2022

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Jasper Company grows hospitality roots in chosen home of Ely

Since working together on their first loan in 2005, the Beans family has seen the Entrepreneur Fund as a valued long-term partner in business growth and creativity.