Connect UP

Connect UP Building more Million Dollar Businesses ConnectUP! We’ve intentionally designed ConnectUp! ConnectUp!

Institute is an innovative and necessary solution to closing the capital demand gap for women, LGBTQ, people of color (POC) and rural entrepreneurs; as well as the ever-growing hunger of impact investors looking for direct investment opportunities. Institute to do three things:

-Create an infrastructure and pipeline for connecting investors and investees,

-Provide opportunities for investment for under-resourced and marginalized communities, and

-Cultivate peer networks for social entrepreneurs and investors in a supportive and equitable environment. disrupts the current ‘race to one’ competition model and puts a cooperative, sustainable model in its place.

09/10/2026

Limited tickets available!!

See our linktr.ee: Connectup Institute

09/10/2026

For barbers, beauty and wellness products and business in the industry!

Tix are $35.

Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce
Black Business Enterprises
Dermalogica

09/06/2026

🚨 Beauty entrepreneurs...this one's for YOU!

Stop hustling.

Start building a beauty business.

Join us for GlowUP! + PopUP!, where you'll learn how to market smarter, manage your money, streamline your operations, leverage AI, and grow your brand.

Barbers, makeup artists, cosmetologists, beauty brands, influencers, wellness professionals and more!

Then...open your booth and sell directly to customers during our Beauty Marketplace.

💄 Learn.
🛍️ Sell.
📈 Scale.

One afternoon could change the way you run your business.
📅 October 1, 2026

LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE: https://connectupmn.org/glowup-beauty-business-series/

Save the date and tag your favorite beauty entrepreneur below! 👇


08/24/2026

ConnectUP! Leadership in Action ✨

We’re excited to highlight Y. Elaine Rasmussen as a speaker at the Do Business With Purpose Summit! 🌱🎤

Elaine will share her insights, experience, and passion for purpose-driven entrepreneurship, inspiring leaders and business owners to create meaningful impact while building sustainable growth. 🚀🤝

Join us for a day of connection, collaboration, and conversations that move communities forward with the Initiative Foundation. 💡✨

📅 August 27, 2026
📍 Sartell, Minnesota

Learn more and register: https://capitalreadiness2026.sched.com/


We’re excited to celebrate Y. Elaine Rasmussen as she joins the Business of Cannabis Roundtable Panel as a Panelist and ...
08/21/2026

We’re excited to celebrate Y. Elaine Rasmussen as she joins the Business of Cannabis Roundtable Panel as a Panelist and Mentor during Minnesota Cannabis Week! 🎤✨

Elaine will share her insights, experience, and leadership alongside other industry voices, helping foster meaningful conversations around entrepreneurship, innovation, and opportunity. 🤝🚀

📅 Wednesday, August 26
⏰ 2:00–3:00 PM
📍 NorthPoint Conference Center

Join us in celebrating leaders who are creating pathways for growth, connection, and impact. 🌟

Get your tickets here! https://eventhi.io/events/mcba-green-equity-day-one-14419

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08/20/2026

We’re proud to celebrate that two startups from our Lunar and Capital Readiness Accelerators have advanced to the MN Cup Semi-final Round! 🎉

Selected among the top finishers from nine divisions, these founders represent the innovation, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit driving Minnesota’s startup ecosystem forward.💡

Congratulations to Sylvia and Liza of Soul Grain and Felisha of FeviCo, LilyPad on this incredible milestone. We’re excited to continue supporting their journey toward growth and success!🚀

You're incredible at your craft.But talent alone doesn't build a thriving business.Whether you're a hairstylist, barber,...
08/17/2026

You're incredible at your craft.

But talent alone doesn't build a thriving business.

Whether you're a hairstylist, barber, makeup artist, esthetician, wellness entrepreneur, or beauty product founder, your business deserves the same level of care and creativity you give your clients every day.

That's why we're bringing you GlowUP! + PopUP!—a one-of-a-kind experience where business education meets real business opportunity.

✨ Morning: Learn practical strategies to strengthen your marketing, operations, finances, branding, and AI skills.

🛍️ Afternoon: Put those lessons into action as you showcase your products and services in our curated Beauty Marketplace.
No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just practical tools, meaningful connections, and new opportunities to grow.

📅 October 1, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Learn it. Sell it. Scale it.

Registration open! More speakers and vendors announced soon!

https://twincitiesglowup.sched.com/

Building Purpose-Driven Businesses Together ✨On Sartell, August 27, ConnectUP! Institute is proud to join the Do Busines...
08/16/2026

Building Purpose-Driven Businesses Together ✨

On Sartell, August 27, ConnectUP! Institute is proud to join the Do Business With Purpose Summit alongside the Initiative Foundation in Sartell, Minnesota! 🤝🌱

Together, we’ll explore how businesses can create meaningful impact while building strong, sustainable futures. 🌟

Join us as we connect, inspire, and celebrate the power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship! 💛

📅 August 27, 2026
📍 Sartell, Minnesota


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08/12/2026

Your Vote Can Create Impact! ✨

We’re excited to announce that ConnectUP! Institute has been selected as a nonprofit partner for the 2026 Target Circle Giving Campaign! 🎉

From July 1–September 30, 2026, Target Circle members can vote to help direct giving to organizations making a difference in their communities.

Your support helps us continue building opportunities, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating lasting impact. ❤️


This August, ConnectUP! Institute is proud to celebrate Black Philanthropy Month 💛🖤 This is a time to recognize the incr...
08/08/2026

This August, ConnectUP! Institute is proud to celebrate Black Philanthropy Month 💛🖤

This is a time to recognize the incredible generosity, vision, and dedication of Black changemakers who continue to uplift communities and create new opportunities. 🌱

Today, we celebrate the leaders, entrepreneurs, mentors, and community champions who are investing in a stronger and more inclusive future. 🌟🙌🏾

Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, give back, and inspire the next generation of changemakers. 💫

Together, we honor the legacy. We celebrate the impact. We build the future. ❤️✨


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(651) 242-9264

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