SCORE is available to support all entrepreneurs and business owners in the Twin Cities area. Our mission is to foster vibrant small business communities. To do that, we've provided a list of local resources below. These organizations and tools can help you reach your business goals, provide guidance and help you connect with others in the community.
Below are just some of the key resources you’ll want to consider in your journey as an entrepreneur:
Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
The Department of Employment and Economic Development has a website with some great resources and guides for businesses in Minnesota. Familiarize yourself with the DEED Information for Business resource page and the “Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota."
LegalCORPS Brief Advice Clinic
LegalCORPS is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to expand access to the legal system in the areas of business and intellectual property law through the services of volunteer attorneys.
General areas of assistance include entity formation and guidance on corporate structures, contracts and commercial leases, risk management, employment, taxation, intellectual property (trademark, copyright, patent), franchising, real estate, governance, and nonprofit formation. We can assist entrepreneurs, small business owners, inventors, and nonprofit organizations.
We’re pleased to work with LegalCORPS, which extends its services to the small business community in need of brief legal advice at no charge. These 30-minute time blocks can be in-person, via phone or Zoom.
We coordinate these clinics with LegalCORPS and ask that you complete the appropriate form below:
Upon receipt, Legal CORPS will follow up to schedule an in-person or virtual consultation.
This assistance is free and available to the public.
WomenVenture
WomenVenture supports women in opening or expanding their businesses through classes, business consulting, and loans.
WomenVenture is a Women’s Business Center as designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). They help women start and grow profitable and sustainable businesses. They offer entrepreneurship training, business advice, and small business loans.
WomenVenture also offers comprehensive classes and workshops to help you determine your entrepreneurial readiness, develop/refine your business plan, and enhance or grow your business. Attend one of their free Entrepreneurship Information Sessions to learn more about their course offerings, or visit their website to get an online overview of our offerings.
Do you need money for your small business? WomenVenture offers loans from $5,000 - $50,000 to qualified new and existing business owners. They help women overcome obstacles to accessing credit by offering a variety of loan terms, including a fixed interest rate and complimentary post-loan support. They are a licensed SBA, CDFI, and DEED lender.
Minnesota Africans United (MAU)
Minnesota Africans United (MAU) has partnered with SCORE to provide local small business owners greater access to capital, networking resources, banks and other economic resources in the community. Learn more about Minnesota Africans United at mnafricansunited.org.
Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON)
Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) supports low—to moderate-income entrepreneurs in North Minneapolis. SCORE has partnered with NEON to provide technical assistance and educational opportunities to local business owners. Learn more about NEON and how they can help your business at www.neon-mn.org.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Taxes are a significant topic in business, and the IRS provides some terrific information. Click here to review and download Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) maintains the Small Business Resource Guide for businesses. This is a terrific quick read on what it takes to start a business, including guidance on the funding programs available through the SBA and its lending partners.
The SBA also provides various guaranteed loan programs to help finance small businesses. An overview of these programs can be found on the SBA website.
SCORE National Resources
SCORE has a number of online resources designed to address your specific needs, whether from a functional perspective or by market vertical. Look to our Resources page or visit the Small Business Resilience Hub. You’ll also find some great content in the links below:
