BUSINESS LABS
A plug & play solution that makes it easy and affordable for rural communities to offer robust support to local businesses.
IOWA SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Thanks to a recent grant from the US EDA, we're able to offer a limited number of scholarships to rural communities in Iowa. These scholarships fully cover the first year of Business Lab service (2-year agreement required).
POWERFUL SUPPORT SERVICES
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STARTUP COACHING
Amplify your capacity to help new businesses launch! Your entrepreneurs get unlimited 1:1, on-demand coaching that helps them move from idea to open for business.
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MANAGEMENT COACHING
One-on-one business management coaching helps established businesses overcome common challenges, develop clear goals, and keep a laser focus on the things that actually matter.
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SUCCESSION PLAN COACHING
We help business owners ask & answer key questions and gather all the information potential buyers will need to understand the value and strength of their business.
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WEBSITE DESIGN COACHING
We work 1-on-1 with businesses to help them quickly and easily create and launch a website on the WIX platform.
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WEBSITE EVALUATIONS
Whether a business has a brand-new or well-established website, a fresh set of eyes is always helpful. We review websites, provide constructive feedback, and share tools to help businesses improve their site and achieve their goals.
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PEER LEARNING ROUNDTABLES
Rural business owners can feel lonely. Our roundtables expand their access to smart business owners from across the country. Roundtables help entrepreneurs tap into useful resources and critical knowledge. They also help reduce the “you don’t know what you don’t know” pitfall that can trip up businesses in small towns.
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PEER LEARNING FORUM
Sometimes business owners need an answer, advice, or guidance but don't know where to look for answers. Our online forum is an "always open" resource where business owners can get and share expertise with other rural entrepreneurs around a variety of useful topics.​
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ONLINE CAREER CERTIFICATES
Individuals can jumpstart their new careers with a Google Career Certificate (full scholarships available). These certificates qualify them for a variety of tech and tech-related jobs that can be done remotely, with entry-level salaries ranging between $50,000-$75,000.
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CURATED WORKSHOPS
Our team spends time vetting partner workshops to find the best of the best, so your business owners don't have to waste their precious time searching for meaningful educational opportunities.
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CURATED PODCASTS
Our team spends hours sifting through content to deliver the handful of podcast episodes each month that are the most relevant, most valuable, and most interesting to businesses and communities in rural areas.
50+
Partners across 5 states have launched Business Labs
700k
Rural residents have access to services through a lab
87%
of businesses we coach report positive growth
“The Business Lab helps us address a gap in our services and provides a cost effective solution to encourage the vitality of our local business community.”
Tim Dolan | County Commissioner Sherburne County, MN
“Our new Business Lab will supplement the business services that already exist and increase our capacity to serve our local entrepreneurs.”
Justin Neppl | Southern Valley EDA
Wahpeton, ND
IOWA SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Thanks to a recent grant from the US EDA, we're able to offer a limited number of scholarships to rural communities in Iowa. These scholarships fully cover the first year of Business Lab service (2-year agreement required).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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WHAT DOES IT COST?
The cost of launching a Business Lab is determined by your service area population. See the program brochure for pricing >
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WHO CAN LAUNCH A BUSINESS LAB?
We're powering Business Labs for chambers, economic development agencies, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, and community governments - pretty much anyone who wants to provide more support to their local businesses.
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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LAUNCH A LAB?
We can have your Business Lab set up and live within a week. We understand the pace of business and want these supports to be available quickly once you decide to offer them.
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DO YOU CHARGE MY LOCAL BUSINESSES?
No, once you partner with us to set up a Business Lab, all services provided through that lab are free to your area businesses.
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ARE THERE SERVICE LIMITS?
No, your businesses receive unlimited access to Business Lab services. They get exactly what they need, whenever they need it.
HOW MUCH CAPACITY DO YOU HAVE?
Our capacity goal is to ensure any business can schedule a coaching session within 3 business days and we've been able to comfortably maintain that standard.
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WHO ARE YOUR COACHES?
All ​of our coaches are successful entrepreneurs who can relate to your business owners and bring a fresh perspective to help them achieve their goals. We're always building our team's diversity so we can better serve your businesses.
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GET STARTED TODAY
Schedule a free chat with our program staff. We'll answer any questions you have and help you decide whether this program is a good fit.