Mission

ConnectUP! Institute is a Black Native-led nonprofit social enterprise based in Saint Paul MN. Our mission: we curate connections among entrepreneurs investors and the business ecosystem to advance equitable access to capital resources and networks for underinvested communities with an emphasis on Black and Brown women and their lived experiences. Significant programs include ConnectUP! Summit is the premiere entrepreneur ecosystem event in Minnesota. The ConnectUP! Summit offers action-oriented content and collaborative networking spaces to bridge the 180 degrees of separation between entrepreneurs from underestimated communities local values-aligned investors and business support organizations statewide. The Summit strengthens an equitable entrepreneur ecosystem that helps all founders get to the next level driving positive sustainable investment and social impact grounded in economic justice; See Schedule O for further information