ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH BEGINS HERE

Innovate 218 is a regional Launch Minnesota group designed to support innovators and entrepreneurs located in Greater Minnesota. This region-wide effort drives our local entrepreneurial ecosystem to help business owners start, grow and thrive in northeast Minnesota.

At Innovate 218, our main purpose is to grow entrepreneurship in northeast Minnesota. We do that through an extensive network of resources, business development support and connections to financing opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Our job is to help you start, grow and thrive as an entrepreneur. And we’ll connect you with additional resources available through Launch Minnesota.

MEET THE INNOVATE 218 TEAM

If you’ve got a business idea, we’ll help make it a reality.

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TAMARA LOWNEY

Itasca Economic Development Corporation President & CEO

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AMANDA LAMPPA

Innovate 218 Project Manager

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KAYLA SWANSON

Administrative Assistant and Marketing Specialist

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STACIA ROM

IEDC Administrative Assistant

INNOVATE 218 TASK FORCE

Adam Fulton – City of Duluth

Amanda Lamppa – Itasca Economic Development  Cooperation (IEDC)

Andrea Black – Entrepreneur Fund

Amanda Vuicich – Northland Foundation

Bart Johnson – MN North Colleges

Betsy Olivanti – City of Hibbing

Brenda Nyberg – Carlton County Economic Development Authority

ChaQuana McEntyre – Families Rise Together

Dan Skogen – Auri

Elissa Hansen – Northspan

Emily Nygren – City of Duluth Economic Development Authority

Holly Hansen – Cloquet Economic Development Authority

Jordan Zeller – East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC)

Jennifer Sterbentz – Two Harbors Economic Development Authority

Katherine Lahti – Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Kayla Swanson – Itasca Economic Development Corporation

Karl Schuettler – Northspan

Lezlie Sauter – Pine County Economic Development Authority

Mark Jeffers – Aitkin County Economic Development Authority

Mary Finnegan – Carlton County Economic Development Authority

Matt Shermoen – APEX

Micheal Cloclough – Northland Foundation

Michelle Thomas – East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC)

Pat Campanaro – Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Rob Sjostrand – Itasca Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Rolf Weberg – University of Minnesota (UMN)

Ryan Malich – Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR)

Sarah Carling – Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA)

Tamara Lowney – Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)

Tracy Benson – Entrepreneur Fund

Tim White – Natural Resources Research Institute  (NRRI)

LET'S TALK BUSINESS

If you’ve got a business idea, we want to hear about it. No matter where you’re at in the process, we’re here to help with resources, connections and growth opportunities. Reach out anytime.