East Town Business Partnership

Serving the Downtown East and Elliot Park Business Community since 1979

Vibrant. Multi-faceted. Connected. Find it in East Town.
  • About
    • Meet the Board
    • ETBP Staff Profiles
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • ETBP Committees
    • ETBP Strategic Plan
    • Help Spread the East Town Brand
  • News
  • VideoGallery
  • Becomea Member
    • What Members are Saying about East Town
    • ETBP Membership Brochure
  • CurrentMembers
  • Events
    • Business Forum Recaps
  • Get to KnowEast Town
  • Eats
  • ContactUs
    • Subscribe to E-mail List

FINNOVATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM SEEKING NEXT GENERATION OF IMPACT ENTREPRENEURS FOR SIXTH COHORT

April 4, 2023 By EDC

Applications now being accepted for early-stage social entrepreneurs with bold ideas for sustainable businesses with positive impact.

MINNEAPOLIS, April 3, 2023 – FINNOVATION Institute, the nonprofit arm of FINNOVATION Lab, announced today that applications are open for the sixth consecutive immersive Fellowship Program, which helps early-stage impact entrepreneurs build leadership and business acumen as they develop innovative social business models. Up to nine fellows will join a growing community of local business leaders creating lasting impact in their communities.

Program curriculum focuses on leadership development, business strategy, and creating financially sustainable business models with a clear social impact. Each fellow will receive a $50,000 living stipend, $3,000 health care stipend, access to an ecosystem of advisors and mentors, and dedicated workspace in the FINNOVATION Lab in downtown Minneapolis.

“This is an opportunity for budding leaders to refine their skills and grow ideas into mission-driven businesses, while we take care of their living expenses. What’s more, this network provides meaningful support and connections along the way” said Connie Rutledge, CEO at FINNOVATION Institute. “Ideal candidates are lifelong learners and problem solvers who are passionate about applying the tools of business to create a lasting, scalable social or environmental impact.”

Applicants should have a strong tie to Minnesota, a growth mindset, a deep understanding of a social or environmental issue they want to solve, and an idea or method to tackle the issue through entrepreneurship. All areas of impact are welcome. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to build their business in a community of like-minded, mission-driven peers and experienced mentors. The Fellowship Program has fostered an impressive ecosystem of sustainable social impact businesses.

Of the 31 fellows in cohorts 1-4, well over half continue to build the businesses they developed during the Fellowship Program. An additional 20% have taken leadership positions related to social impact, innovation, and entrepreneurial support. A few alumni highlights include:

  • Junita Flowers (Cohort 1): Founder of Junita’s Jar, a mission-driven cookie company carried in Target stores nationwide, and a featured BIPOC brand in February 2023. Cookie purchases support creative approaches to ending relationship violence.
  • Shaunie Grigsby (Cohort 2): Opened Flava Café, becoming the second Black-owned coffee shop in the Twin Cities. With a mission to build job skills and confidence in young women of color and non-binary people, Flava supplies St. Paul with delicious coffee and future leaders. Shaunie is recognized by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2023 Women in Business honoree.
  • Marlee (Dorsey) James (Cohort 3): Founder of Reviving Roots Therapy & Wellness, a Black-centered wellness center expected to open in Minneapolis this year.
  • Ashleyn Przedwiecki (Cohort 4): Founder of LUUM Collective, a sustainable event design agency launched in 2022. LUUM has brought together hundreds of wedding and event professionals at educational events, built an online directory of audited vendors, and developed a food recovery program for venues and caterers.
  • Jennifer Glickstein (Cohort 5): Founder of Dress Up to Calm Down, which has launched pre-orders for a new line of weighted clothing for children with sensory disorder and anxiety.

“Now, more than ever, entrepreneurs can make a huge impact through business. We’re helping them to lead the way.” said Jacquie Berglund, founder of FINNEGANS Brew Co. and FINNOVATION Lab. “The Fellowship Program was founded with the goal of harnessing entrepreneurial spirit, providing educational opportunities to build practical skills and logistics, and turning ideas into functioning businesses. It’s been incredible to see our fellows succeed – and the next cohort will add even more ingenuity to this evolving community.”

Applications will be accepted through May 14 and the program runs September 2023 through June 2024. The sixth cohort will be selected by a group of community leaders and alumni of the Fellowship Program. The program is operated by the FINNOVATION Institute, a 501c3 funded by a grant from the Bush Foundation, which is known for its commitment to innovation and creative problem-solving.

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend one of the following information sessions and the FINNale event to learn more:

April 14 – 12-1 p.m. | Virtual

April 25 – 5:-7 p.m | In Person

May 8 – 12-1 p.m. | Virtual

June 15 – 5-7 p.m.| In Person

More details about FINNOVATION Lab and the Institute’s Fellowship Program, including application information, eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions, are available at

finnovationinstitute.org

###

About FINNOVATION Institute

FINNOVATION Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to building a vibrant and inclusive community of successful social businesses in the Twin Cities that generates meaningful social and economic impact in our region and beyond, by providing a variety of educational programs to entrepreneurs and social business leaders. Housed at FINNOVATION Lab, an inclusive workspace and community inspiring social change, growth, innovation, and experimentation. For more information, visit www.finnovationinstitute.org.

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedInPrintFriendly

Filed Under: Announcement

NEWS YOU CAN USE

ETBP Members Happy Hour at Gamut Gallery, on Thursday June 22nd, 4:30-6pm

Please join us for our next Members Happy Hour Networking Event on Thursday, June 22nd, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Gamut Gallery, located at 717 … [Read More]

Global Day of Discovery at the Renaissance Minneapolis Depot Hotel on May 18

Check out this fun event that ETBP member the Renaissance Minneapolis - Depot Hotel has planned for the evening of May 18. Invite some work … [Read More]

Thank you East Town! Highlights from the 2023 Annual Meeting at US Bank Stadium

Thank you to everyone that attended our 2023 Annual Meeting at US Bank Stadium on May 2.  It was so wonderful to see so many familiar faces at our … [Read More]

Registration is now open for the ETBP 2023 Annual Meeting on May 2, at US Bank Stadium

Registration is now open for the ETBP 2023 Annual Meeting.  This year's event will take place on May 2, at US Bank Stadium in the Medtronic Club, from … [Read More]

What’s Happening on Facebook

East Downtown Council | Minneapolis, MN

Serving the Downtown East and Elliot Park (DEEP) business community since 1979.

News You Can Use

ETBP Members Happy Hour at Gamut Gallery, on Thursday June 22nd, 4:30-6pm

Please join us for our next Members Happy Hour Networking Event on Thursday, June 22nd, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Gamut Gallery, located at 717 S 10th St. Come meet our board members, and mix and mingle as we bid farewell to the Exoskeleton Exhibit Gamut is hosting.  If you plan to attend, please register via Eventbrite. … [Read More]

Find us on YouTube

Find us on YouTube

Learn more about the businesses and organizations within the East Town neighborhood.

Visit our Youtube page

USE OUR BRAND

easttown_mpls_lockup-transparent The East Town Business Partnership (the ETBP) recognizes that there are persons, businesses, and organizations who may wish to use the ETBP name and logo in communications, promotional materials, and the like... [ Learn More ]

eNews & Updates

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with the ETBP. Join our mailing list!

Copyright © 2023 East Town Business Partnership · All Rights Reserved · Developed by Vivid Image · Board Access · Log in