Ignite MN

06/19/2026

We’re hiring a Community Experience Manager! ⭐

We’re looking for a warm, highly organized relationship-builder to serve as the welcoming face and operational heartbeat of Ignite.

This role is ideal for someone who loves connecting people, creating exceptional experiences, coordinating events, and helping a community space thrive.

➡️ Full-time and onsite in Red Wing, Minnesota
➡️ $58,000–$68,000 annually

Learn more: https://ignitemn.org/about-us/careers/
To apply, submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Please share this opportunity with someone who would be a great fit!

06/15/2026

AI is not just for big companies.

As this article points out, small businesses may have one of the biggest opportunities when it comes to using AI... not to replace people, but to get support with the work they have not had enough time, capacity, or expertise to tackle.

For the last couple of years, Ignite has partnered with MTN (part of the E1 Network) to help entrepreneurs and small business owners explore practical ways to use AI and technology in their businesses.

Need help figuring out where to start? Reach out to us for more information about 1:1 coaching and support.

The billionaire entrepreneur provides insights for small businesses and young employees.

06/01/2026

When tariffs changed, Beth Benike didn't just read about it in the headlines; she had to make real business decisions because of it.

As the founder of Busy Baby, Beth has experienced firsthand how changes in trade policy can impact costs, supply chains, product pricing, and growth planning.

Join us for a candid discussion as Beth shares:
• How tariffs affected her business
• The decisions she had to make in response
• What she wishes more business owners understood
• What entrepreneurs should be paying attention to right now

Whether you manufacture products, sell retail goods, source materials, or want to understand better how national policy can affect local businesses, this conversation will offer practical insights and a real-world perspective.

📅 Friday, June 26 - 9 am
📍 Ignite Innovation Center, Red Wing

Register today and join the conversation.
https://www.eventbrite.com/manage/events/1989269308050

05/28/2026

Tomorrow morning (Friday, May 29th) - join us at Ignite between 9-11 am for our AI open office hours! Bring your laptop and your curiosity — explore with us.

We will discuss how you can start leveraging AI for your business, right away!

05/24/2026

Most small business owners hear the word “tariffs” and think:
“That doesn’t really affect me.”

But global trade shifts have a way of quietly showing up in places we don’t expect:
- Shipping costs
- Materials and equipment
- Technology purchases
- Agriculture and supply chains
- Customer spending habits
- Pricing and planning uncertainty

Even businesses that never import products directly can still feel the ripple effects.

That’s why we’re hosting a practical community discussion around what business owners should actually be watching right now, and how changing tariff policies could impact businesses across southeastern Minnesota.

⭐ Join us for Ignite Your Morning: A Discussion on Tariffs with Beth Benike of Busy Baby LLC and Main Street Alliance

Whether you’re a manufacturer, retailer, entrepreneur, ag business, service provider, or simply curious about where the economy may be heading, this conversation is for you.

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989269308050?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/20/2026

AI doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

Next Friday (May 29th) from 9am–11am at Ignite, we're hosting open AI office hours for entrepreneurs, business owners, and curious professionals who want practical help using AI in their work.

Bring your questions, ideas, workflows, marketing challenges, content needs, operations headaches, or just your curiosity. We’ll sit down together and explore ways AI can help you save time, think differently, and work smarter.

No formal presentation. No pressure. Just hands-on guidance, conversation, experimentation, and support.

Whether you’re trying to:
• improve marketing and communications
• organize operations and systems
• brainstorm business ideas
• create content
• understand AI tools
• or figure out where to even begin…

…this is a space to explore with someone who’s been training organizations and entrepreneurs on AI for years. 🙌

Stop in, bring your laptop if you’d like, grab a coffee, and let’s build something useful together!

📍 Ignite – Red Wing
🗓 Friday, May 29th
⏰ 9am–11am

05/16/2026

Big congratulations to Annie from ForkIt for taking 1st Place at the 2026 Ignite Cup Pitch Competition! 🎉⚡

ForkIt is making personalized nutrition more simple and accessible through data-driven insights that help people make smarter food decisions based on their unique health needs.

We’re excited to continue supporting Annie on her journey as she advances into the semi-finals of the Minnesota Cup competition. ()

The future of health innovation in Southeast Minnesota is bright, and we can’t wait to see what comes next!

Stay tuned — the rest of the MN Cup semi-finalists should be announced on Monday! 👀

05/13/2026

The last Friday of every month, Ignite hosts a half-day of free , combined with some great community .

This month, on Friday, May 29th, we will host open -office hours from 9-11am, where you can get some hands-on practice with prompt engineering for your business with an experienced mentor. No registration necessary.

On June 26th, we're hosting a discussion about , refunds, and other federal programs that you may not have heard about yet.

Register for the June event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989269308050

We'd love to see you at the Ignite Hub, soon! 🙌

05/04/2026

Every day at Ignite is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, at any stage of their business growth.

This week, we celebrate with the folks at the U.S. Small Business Administration!

Tune in to some of their great free resources this week, and then when you need extra support, call Ignite! :)

https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week

05/02/2026

Great day at today - sitting in on Sean E. Williams’ session about early-stage funding for founders. ❤️