RESOURCES
ROADMAP
Connect with Innovate 218 – Start-ups
Education, Pitch Competition, Mentorship
Lean on regional partners as needed
Refinement, Funding, training, business development, etc.
“Graduate” and move on to SBDC
Welcome to Innovate 218’s regional resource hub. Whether you are just starting out or are refining your new business idea, we are here as confidential help to provide you with the support you need to succeed. Please contact us with any questions on how to get started.

WHAT STAGE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP ARE YOU IN?
If you are located in one of our nine service counties and have an idea that you’d like free help refining, email Amanda Lamppa today, or call 218.259.6611.


IDEA GENERATION

OPPORTUNITY EVALUATION

PLANNING

LAUNCH

GROWTH
LOOKING FOR
A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT
Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation on your business idea, or please feel free to browse and reach out to a partner near you.
CONTACT USWHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
Innovate 218 serves the following nine northeastern Minnesota counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Kanabec, Lake, Mille Lacs, Pine, St. Louis.
INNOVATE 218 TASK FORCE
Aitkin
Rebecca Rowe
Regional Director, North Central SBDC
218-855-8140
North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Mark Jeffers
Economic Development Coordinator
218-513-6188
Aitkin County Economic Development Authority
Carlton
Mary Finnegan
Economic Development Director
218-384-9597
Carlton County Economic Development Authority
Cook
Lake
Itasca
Rob Sjostrand
Director of Business Development
218-328-2188
Grand Rapids Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Rob Mattei
Director of Finance & City Operations
218-326-7601
Grand Rapids Economic Development Authority
Kanabec
Rebecca Rowe
Regional Director, North Central SBDC
218-855-8140
North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Michelle Thomas
Economic Resiliency Coordinator
320-679-4065
East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC)
Mille Lacs
Rebecca Rowe
Regional Director, North Central SBDC
218-855-8140
North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Michelle Thomas
Economic Resiliency Coordinator
320-679-4065
East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC)
Pine
Rebecca Rowe
Regional Director, North Central SBDC
218-855-8140
North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Lezlie Sauter
Economic Development Coordinator
320-591-1619
Pine County Economic Development Authority
Michelle Thomas
Economic Resiliency Coordinator
320-679-4065
East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC)
St. Louis
Chis Fleege
Director, Planning & Economic Development
218-730-5297
Duluth Economic Developnment Authority
Adam Fulton
Interim Director, Planning & Economic Development
218-730-5325
Duluth Economic Developnment Authority
Michael Cloclough
Regional Director, Northland SBDC
218-740-7307
Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Curt Walczak
Business Consultant, Duluth
218-348-2830
Duluth Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Mary Lundeen
Business Consultant, Duluth
218-726-7868
Duluth Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Vicki Haberg
Business Consultant, Hibbing & Chisholm
218-228-8552
Hibbing + Chisholm Small Business Development Center (SBDC)