STARTING YOUR BUSINESS

Partner with EF to launch your business

Starting a business is an exciting time: for your new business and for you as an entrepreneur. Many people at this stage worry that they don’t know enough to start a business. You don’t need a business degree and you don’t have to be an expert at everything. We are here to help. The EF Team will work with you as you prepare to move your idea into a reality.

STARTING guidance is for a business that has been vetted and is ready for launch. If you are still in the idea phase, make sure you’ve done the prep work. Is your business idea viable? Are you prepared to own a small business? Visit “PLANNING” for more.

Planning starting building scaling
EF Quick Tip:
Don’t overthink it.
When creating your business plan don't feel like you need to word it just right and have things perfect. Do your best to make a rough draft and we will work together to get it done.
GET CONNECTED

Roadmap: Craft Your Path

Reach out today and schedule a meeting with an advisor who will help you set clear goals and craft an individualized road map to get your business up and running.

Get to work on launching your new business by using our EF Startup Checklist. Reach out to our team at any point for feedback, questions, or to dig in where you are feeling stuck.

*Reminder: We are a nonprofit and in business to help you. All it costs you is time to meet one-on-one with an advisor

“They care and they want you to succeed. If you want to put in the work, they will help you do it. They’ll put just as much work into finding the solution for you to succeed.” – Randy Craft, Co-Owner of Animal Haven

Animal Haven | Little Falls, MN

Money: Fund Your Business

Bootstrap, friends and family, loan, credit cards… The options for funding your startup can feel both meager and daunting all at the same time. We are a small business lender, but our priority is focusing on you and the route that will serve you and your small business for the short and long term. Our team will work with you to figure out what you need to get started and then craft a plan to get there.

Learn about EF Lending

Where others see risk, we see opportunity. Learn more about how we work together with our clients to access necessary capital for starting their businesses.

Microloans through the SBA and USDA are available and a perfect place for new businesses to get going.

Funds range from $1,000 to $50,000 AND you get access to the EF Expert Network.

“The Entrepreneur Fund has played an integral role in Ursa Minor’s development. The Microloan we received helped us access the working capital we needed to go from startup to rapid growth.” - Ben Hugus, Owner of Ursa Minor Brewing

Ursa Minor Brewing | Duluth, MN

Tools & knowledge

You know the old adage, “Give a person a fish…” We take that to heart. As your partner, we not only provide you with the tools you need to start your business, we teach you how to use them and walk alongside you as you implement them in your business.

Attend an upcoming training session

Schedule an appointment with an advisor

Connections

Building a network of experts, professional, and peer entrepreneurs who have similar lived experiences as you, can be transformative. We are part of a vast network that we work to connect our clients with.

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