Mission and Values

Our mission is to promote the entrepreneurial spirit and create economic wealth and diversity in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. We believe skilled entrepreneurs build strong local businesses that create jobs and, ultimately, healthy and sustainable communities. Because of this belief, everything we do—whether offering support through the Greenstone Group or financing through the Entrepreneur Fund—focuses on helping each entrepreneur build a stronger business. This is how we ensure that talent, jobs and wealth stay in the region—and often make a global impact.

 

Guiding Principles

  • We are building a culture that responds and adapts to change

  • We are entrepreneurs ourselves—by experience and Entrepreneur Fund culture—and we’re here to support other entrepreneurs

  • We operate a double bottom line: financial and social. We treat our clients and each other with respect

    • Social Goal:  to foster entrepreneurship and economic diversification through starting and growing strong, locally owned businesses
    • Financial Goal:  to ensure through efficient operations and building sufficient reserves, that the Entrepreneur Fund will be sustainable and contribute to long-term change
  • We treat our clients and each other with respect
  • We are accessible and responsive

  • We value integrity and fair dealing

  • We provide process, encouragement and tools; the entrepreneur provides passion, content, motivation, and timelines—we are clear about the difference

  • We are good stewards of our company and community resources

  • We work as a team, drawing from our individual and collective strengths to perform at the highest level and achieve excellence

  • We recognize the size of the rural region we serve, using technology to maximize our impact, ability and cost-effectiveness

  • We are good citizens in our communities