CEO Now
Proven skills and collaboration for growth-oriented business owners
CEO Now is a group-learning opportunity for established, growth-minded business owners to build and strengthen systems to keep their businesses growing.
Participants will join a cohort of up to 20 peer business owners and founders for seven months of focused business instruction and peer learning.
CEO Now is part of Elevate Hennepin, Hennepin County’s initiative to support entrepreneurship and economic growth for communities across the county. This group-learning opportunity has helped dozens of business owners achieve growth and results.
Registrations are now open for the next class of CEO Now. To express interest in this opportunity, sign up here.
Technical know-how for sustainable growth
This action-oriented program will help owners and founders of growing businesses learn the strategic and technical foundations of running their businesses more efficiently through:
- Development of a three- to five-year strategic growth plan
- Professional peer group of other founders and owners
- Access to experienced instructors and local business advisors
- Tools to access growth capital and outside investment
- Curriculum that combines business fundamentals and management knowhow
Owners will spend up to 100 hours working on their business and putting their training to work in real time. This opportunity includes 40 hours of class time exploring topics like business and strategic assessments, finances, finding key personnel, marketing, and sales processes. Participants will also dedicate 12 hours to working in peer groups, which meet throughout the program to supplement in-class learning with real-world experience. This peer group will define essential discussion and working topics and have become a trusted advisory board for CEO Now alumni.
Eligibility
The program is available to eligible entrepreneurs thanks to ongoing investments in the business community from Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
To be eligible, business owners must:
- Have two years of operating history
- Employ at least one person other than the owner
- Report between $250,000 and $2 million in revenue
- Be incorporated or operating in Hennepin
- Be receptive to coaching, mentorship and collaborating with peers
- Commit up to 10 hours each month through the 7-month program
About the facilitation team
CEO Now is facilitated by local business leaders trained by Interise. Interise is a nationally recognized nonprofit committed to delivering inclusive programs for established small businesses, and national partnerships that create impact at local, regional, and state-wide levels.
CEO Now builds on Interise’s award-winning StreetWise ‘MBA’ education, which has been effective in helping businesses lay the groundwork for growth, economic development, and job creation.
Apply
Applications for the next class of CEO Now are open, sessions begin spring of 2025.
To express interest in this program, sign up here.
Related links and materials
