Recognizing Regional Impact: 2026 Distinction Awards

The region’s business community came together in Duluth on May 7, 2026, to celebrate growth and excellence in action. At the Entrepreneur Fund’s 2026 Distinction Awards, presented by Wells Fargo, more than 200 entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community partners gathered for an evening of peer learning, recognition, and connection, as six high-growth businesses were honored for their leadership, innovation, and impact across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“Strong businesses are built by strong people who care deeply about where we live and where we all work,” said David Bretting, Chairman of the Board at Bretting Manufacturing in Ashland, WI, and a 2026 honoree. “The Entrepreneur Fund plays a vital role in that cycle. By supporting entrepreneurs, sharing, like we heard tonight, the real stories behind all of our businesses, and fostering meaningful connections, they help to ensure that innovation just doesn't happen somewhere else. It happens right here in our region.”

This year’s honorees reflected a wide range of industries and growth journeys, from garage and pick-up truck beginnings to established manufacturers expanding into new markets and technology-driven companies building a national presence.

The evening opened with two “Behind-the-Business" panels, where attendees joined small-group conversations with honorees. These discussions focused on scaling rural-based companies in national and international markets, and how leaders sustain core values while growing.

“It comes down to the want. The drive,” said Jason Hancock, owner of Hancock Fabrications in Angora, MN, during the first panel.

In the second discussion, Anna and Nathanael Bailey of BB + Friends emphasized that their growth has been rooted in a clear set of core values, values they’ve intentionally returned to and doubled down on over time.

The evening culminated in an awards ceremony recognizing each company’s contributions to the region. Kimelyn Harris, Head of Business Growth Philanthropy at Wells Fargo, which is a longtime EFund partner, presented the first award of the evening to Eric Faust, founder and owner of Duluth Coffee Company.

“Duluth Coffee Company reflects the kind of intentional scale we believe in,” she said during her remarks. “Growth that creates quality jobs, growth that supports leadership development, growth that anchors economic activity in place rather than extracting it.”

During her remarks, Harris also announced a new $600,000 philanthropic investment from Wells Fargo, building on last year’s gift, to further strengthen EFund’s work supporting growth-ready businesses. The investment will expand access to advisory services and innovative capital solutions, including revenue-based, royalty-based, and blended financing.

“Wells Fargo stepped up in a really big way. None of this would have happened without their upfront support,” said Shawn Wellnitz, Entrepreneur Fund CEO and President. “I can't thank them enough for their financial contribution, but just as importantly, their mission contribution for what we do here at the Entrepreneur Fund.”

The evening concluded with a Night Market, offering a relaxed environment for conversation and connection, alongside food and beverages from a dozen regional entrepreneurs.

2026 Distinction Award Honorees:

• Aluminum Cabinet Company, Hermantown, Minn. — Premium product offering and growth through new customer segments.

• BB + Friends, Duluth — National brand-building of art business through multi-channel reach.

• BotCrew, Duluth — Scaled innovation for industry disruption in construction & solar industry.  

• Bretting Manufacturing, Ashland, Wis. — Global industry leadership through localized innovation and growth.

• Duluth Coffee Company, Duluth — Brand integrity and expansion via multi-channel model.  

• Hancock Fabrication, Angora, Minn. — Innovation and expansion of rural-based manufacturer.

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