Item Description:
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Neg 33 Elevate Hennepin advising Agmts for small business consulting, 01/01/26-12/31/26, total combined NTE $2,500,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Director be authorized to negotiate 33 Elevate Hennepin advising Agreements to provide small business consulting services as part of the Elevate Hennepin business advisor network, during the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 with a total combined not to exceed amount of $2,500,000, with the option for the Authority to amend the Agreements to adjust any individual not to exceed amount within the total combined not to exceed amount based on demand and capacity for consulting services within the agreement period; that following review and approval by the County Attorney's Office, the Chair be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the Authority; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Hennepin County provides resources that help businesses start, thrive, and scale, generating jobs and increasing economic prosperity throughout the county. The core offering is Elevate Hennepin’s professional consulting provided directly to business owners by a local network of talented and culturally competent business advisors.
The Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) supports professional service agreements with multiple competitively selected advisors to offer and provide consulting services at no cost to business owners across the county. By supporting the cost of these services and training opportunities, HCHRA reduces barriers to entrepreneurship and addresses structural inequities faced by business owners who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, and women, in starting and growing a successful business in Minnesota.
A competitive request for proposals (RFP) was conducted in fall 2024 to identify qualified organizations to serve as business advisors in the Elevate Hennepin network. The RFP garnered 73 applications. Based on an ongoing review of qualifications, experience, customer feedback, and consultant performance, staff recommend 33 vendors (31 returning vendors from 2025, and 2 new) to provide professional consulting services in the following areas of support:
• Access to capital
• Accounting
• Business strategy
• Certification
• Financial management
• Human resources
• Idea stage business development
• Legal
• Marketing
• Technology
Below is a summary of recommended agreements and the programming they represent:
|
Agreement Number |
2026 Advisors |
Primary Area of Support |
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PR00007952 |
A.M. & Associates, LLC |
HR |
|
PR00007953 |
Antonelli & Associates, LLC |
Business Strategy |
|
PR00007954 |
Hanson, Katherine, dba Backpocket Strategy |
Business Strategy |
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PR00007955 |
Better Business Bureau of Minnesota, Inc. |
Marketing |
|
PR00007956 |
Katherine A Pyle, dba Cleartalk Accounting |
Accounting |
|
PR00007957 |
ConnectUP! Institute |
Business Strategy |
|
PR00007958 |
Davis Law Office, PLLC |
Legal |
|
PR00007959 |
Dendros Group, LLC |
Idea Stage |
|
PR00007961 |
Field Guide Inc. |
Marketing |
|
PR00007962 |
Hack the Gap LLC |
Technology |
|
PR00007963 |
Hortensia, PLLC |
Legal |
|
PR00007964 |
IFRI TRYV |
Business Strategy |
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PR00007965 |
Impact Hub Minneapolis St. Paul dba Social Impact Center |
Business Strategy |
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PR00007966 |
Khoo Consulting LLC |
Marketing |
|
PR00007967 |
Latino Economic Development Corporation |
Business Strategy |
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PR00007968 |
LegalCORPS |
Legal |
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PR00007988 |
Lipski Cain Consulting LLC, dba Arch Empathy |
Marketing |
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PR00007972 |
Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers |
Business Strategy |
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PR00007973 |
MniSota Fund |
Idea Stage |
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PR00007974 |
Monicat Data LLC |
Marketing |
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PR00007975 |
New Publica LLC |
Marketing |
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PR00007976 |
NextStage |
Access to Capital |
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PR00007977 |
Sigma Consulting and Training, dba Ahmed Mohidin LLC |
Business Strategy |
|
PR00007978 |
Simon & Associates LLC |
HR |
|
PR00007983 |
Small Business Dreambuilders LLC |
Accounting |
|
PR00007979 |
Software for Good, GBC |
Technology |
|
PR00007980 |
Springboard for the Arts |
Idea Stage |
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PR00007987 |
Taichtan LLC |
Marketing |
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PR00007981 |
Technologist Computers SBC |
Technology |
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PR00007982 |
TruLegal PLLC |
Legal |
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PR00007984 |
Victor Jones Consulting LLC |
Business Strategy |
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PR00007985 |
Whip-Smart LLC |
Marketing |
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PR00007986 |
WomenVenture |
Access to Capital |
Approval of these 33 contracts will provide an estimated 1,500 businesses with no-cost consulting services resulting in new businesses, business growth, and job growth.
Current Request: This request is for authorization to negotiate 33 agreements to provide small business consulting services effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Impact Outcomes: Approval of this request will provide specialized consulting, technical assistance, and back-office support for an estimated 1,500 small and disadvantaged businesses from Elevate Hennepin consultants.
Income Domain Disparity: Specialized consulting and technical assistance offered through the HCHRA’s Elevate Hennepin efforts help address racial gaps in business ownership. To-date, 66% of entrepreneurs and business owners accessing small business consulting, 74% of those accessing financing, and 82% of those starting a business with support from Elevate Hennepin identify as Black, Asian, Hispanic/LatinX, Indigenous, or multi-racial.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval