EY helps clients create long-term value for all stakeholders. Enabled by data and technology, our services and solutions provide trust through assurance and help clients transform, grow and operate.
At EY, our purpose is building a better working world. The insights and services we provide help to create long-term value for clients, people and society, and to build trust in the capital markets.
Minneapolis is a vibrant community of established Fortune 500 leaders and entrepreneurs who come from different backgrounds but share the same passion for leading. These dynamic leaders have forged a growth mindset with a healthy pipeline of startups, a commitment to supporting further development of the Minneapolis entrepreneurial community and a willingness to try new things that will continue opening the door to new opportunities.
The success of business enterprises of all sizes and types, combined with the significant transformation at many big-name companies based in Minneapolis, generates momentum for post-pandemic growth. Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) is home to top retailers, as well as leaders in the finance and insurance industry. It also has one of the country’s largest tech workforces, with more than 140,000 tech jobs and community groups.¹ Companies are rethinking their business model, their digital footprint and the needs of the customer. They are also recommitting to the effort to bring more diversity and inclusion to the Minneapolis region.
We cannot have a thriving region if we don’t have a thriving workforce that’s absolutely committed to inclusion, to equity and to justice.
Sondra Samuels
President and CEO of the Northside Achievement Zone
This includes the support of programs such as the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN).² The initiative was designed to elevate scalable Black- and Latino-owned companies by providing access to resources, networks and capital delivered through a planned curriculum. Diverse-owned companies contribute greatly to the US economy (4.7 million jobs) and capital market ($700b annual revenue).³
The EAN program builds on the unparalleled history at Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) of helping entrepreneurs succeed: 35 years of Entrepreneur Of The Year®⁴ and 15 years of Entrepreneurial Winning Women™.⁵ Like those programs, EAN opens doors of opportunity by giving entrepreneurs access to the powerful EY business and entrepreneurial ecosystem. EAN affords multiple avenues for growth, with a curated program, as well as OnDemand learning. Those selected for the curated path come from both emerging (more than two years in business, up to $5m in revenue) and established companies (more than five years in business, $6m in revenue or more) that are more than 51% diverse-owned.
The Entrepreneurs Access Network program has been a vital piece of development for my business. It is an opportunity to gain access to information and relationships that help your business thrive.
Ravi Norman
President and CEO of Sagilliti
Views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Ernst & Young LLP or other members of the global EY organization.
“Enterprise Tech Startups in Minneapolis-Saint Paul,” Forge North website, www.forgenorth.com/msp-region/enterprise-tech, accessed July 28, 2022.