Minnesota

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.

2023 Impact: Driving Change Through Our Mission

In 2023, we stayed true to our mission by providing accessible capital paired with strategic advising to 1,222 businesses across central Minnesota, northeastern Minnesota, and northern Wisconsin.

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.

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?

Shape the Future: Apply to Join the Entrepreneur Fund Board of Directors

We're seeking three dedicated individuals to join our Board of Directors. We are looking for people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives who are passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and creating strong and vibrant communities across our region. 

2023 Mid-Year Report: From Vision to Impact

Our impact is not merely measured in numbers, but in the transformative changes we have witnessed in the lives of entrepreneurs, their businesses, employees, and the communities they serve. We believe that our work can be a compass, guiding us toward positive impact every day.

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.

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.

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.

Sunsdahl Supports Tower Community Through Entrepreneurship

For entrepreneur Dianna Sunsdahl, the idea to purchase a building in downtown Tower, Minnesota, came from wanting to do something for the community.

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.

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.

Ebbs Fills Land Management and Training Need in Ely

Since connecting with the Entrepreneur Fund in 2021, Ebbs has grown his business through various EFund lending and advising services.

Helping Bridge the Racial Wealth Gap Through Entrepreneurship

By investing in minority-owned businesses and creating new opportunities for minority entrepreneurs, we can help to create economic opportunities for those who have been historically disadvantaged due to systemic racism.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How a $10K microloan turned into a decade-long partnership with Duluth Coffee Company

Through the Entrepreneur Fund’s SBA Microloan program, Faust accessed a $10,000 loan to finance the purchase of a 3-kilogram coffee roaster.

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.

2021 Annual Report: Adapting to change, committing to growth

In 2021, small business owners sought support at a higher rate than in the past.

Q&A: Get to know EFund business developer JoAnn Smith based in International Falls

If you are in Koochiching or northern St. Louis County, you may be working JoAnn in the near future.

Application Open for Fall 2022 Be Strategic Courses in Superior, WI and Grand Marais, MN

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.