Entrepreneur Training Program

Program Description

Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) partners with community-based organizations to offer 16-week entrepreneur training programs in 20 neighborhoods and ethnic communities throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The main focus of the entrepreneur training program is to create a viable business plan.

• Training includes eight classroom sessions (hosted by NDC's community partners) with 8-10 students, taught by a culturally-sensitive professional business trainer, and up to 12 hours of one-on-one consultation with the trainer.
• The program is offered twice each year (spring and fall) in five languages: English, Hmong, Oromo, Somali and Spanish.
• Topics covered include accounting, marketing, operations management, and more.
• Program fees are determined on a sliding scale ($75-$600), based on household income and family size.

Download an application in English

Download an application in Spanish

For more information or to request an application, please contact:

Purpose & Outcomes

Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) believes that residents, businesses and organizations in all communities have the talent, energy and ideas to revitalize their own communities. NDC’s Entrepreneur Training Program helps emerging entrepreneurs build vibrant businesses that create employment opportunities, provide needed goods and services, serve as role models, and establish community gathering places that contribute to community revitalization. The program is specifically targeted to residents of historically low-income neighborhoods who do not have access to traditional resources and want to learn the skills to successfully start and operate a business.

• Since 1993 NDC has trained over 4,000 aspiring entrepreneurs, more than 500 of whom are currently in business. Program graduates operate successful businesses in child care, graphic design, catering, landscaping, auto repair, restaurants, and many other industries.
• NDC entrepreneurs have created and now maintain more than 2200 jobs locally.
• NDC entrepreneurs return $24 million to their communities each year in the form of payroll, taxes, rent, and subcontracts.

Ongoing Support

Entrepreneurs who successfully complete the program, write a business plan, and locate their business in target neighborhoods are eligible for NDC’s ongoing business support, including:

• Professional consulting services for program graduates in business
• Access to low-cost Accounting services
• Access to Pro Bono Legal services. (Note: Pro bono services are not available to participants whose household or business income exceeds NDC Guidelines or those residing or operating their businesses out of the NDC targeted service area. Pro Bono legal services are available on a limited basis and are subject to attorney availability. Client is responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses, such as filing or recording fees.)
• Opportunities to participate in joint marketing initiatives
• Eligibility to apply for loans from $500—$10,000
• Invitation to annual banquet honoring outstanding program graduates

Workshops and Mini-Courses

NDC offers free and low-cost workshops on a variety of business topics at both the Rondo Library in St. Paul and the North Regional Branch Library in North Minneapolis. View workshop calendar

NDC offers 'mini-courses' throughout the year. Mini-courses are specialized classes on a specific business topic. View upcoming mini-courses