Tag: BrandHoot

Rochester Rising: The State of the Rochester Entrepreneurial Community – 2018

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As we transition into another year, it is a prime opportunity to examine the state of the Rochester entrepreneurial community, take stock of our achievements over the past year, examine our losses, and assess the future direction of this city’s innovation sector.

2017 brought several significant ongoing programs to Rochester. February saw the launch of 1 Million Cups Rochester, a monthly educational program for entrepreneurs that takes place in 163 communities across the United States. This event gave fourteen different Rochester startups the opportunity to share their story and gain input from the community on pressing business issues.

Small businesses = Big impact

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They might be called “small businesses,” but there’s nothing small about the impact these organizations have on our economy.

Recently, two Rochester businesses were named finalists in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award, making the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce the only chamber in the United States with more than one finalist.

“There are 8,800 chambers in the United States,” says Rob Miller, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce president. “Any one of those could potentially submit nominees for the award. But Rochester was the only chamber – and Minnesota, the only state – who had more than one finalist.”

DMC joins Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and SE Minnesota leaders in St. Paul

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More than 200 people from 10 southeast Minnesota chambers of commerce made the trek to St. Paul to engage with state legislators.

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Executive director Lisa Clarke

This was the first time the region has joined together for this event, and Lisa Clarke, DMC EDA executive director, recognized the importance and appreciation of this type of synergy.

“Having us together to represent our region as a whole is a testimony to how we are working together to make an impact for the state of Minnesota,” she says.