Greenstone Group is an intentional and comprehensive approach to developing entrepreneurial talent, creating successful companies, and building entrepreneurial communities in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The purpose of Greenstone Group is to increase the number and skill levels of entrepreneurs and therefore build business wealth and employment through the growth of successful locally owned businesses.

Greenstone Group grew out of discussions among regional leaders who recognized the opportunity to strategically support and grow locally owned businesses to strengthen the region’s economic base. It is a 10-year initiative of the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund aimed at building the regions economy by revitalizing an entrepreneurial culture.

The Initiative has four key strategies:

• e-Development. Greenstone Group uses four different approaches to developing the talent and skills of entrepreneurs seeking to grow their companies: Business Performance Coaching, Business Briefings, Mentoring, and Targeted Training. Over 10 years, we anticipate that 500 entrepreneurs in the region will actively participate in this entrepreneurial development system. Results will be measured in increased business revenue, new markets, and job creation.
• e-Champions. Successful entrepreneurial leaders, professional consultants, and public service providers are recruited to work together to create tools and strategies that ensure that entrepreneurs receive the right help at the right time. Coordinated access to these resources helps Greenstone Group participants enhance their business skills and achieve growth goals for their businesses.
• Campus Initiative. Greenstone Group is helping to create a pipeline of future entrepreneurs by working with the regions eight community colleges to identify, support and train new entrepreneurs as they complete their education. Strategies include developing curricula, sponsoring business plan competitions, organizing e-Teams, and promoting entrepreneurship to students and faculty.
• Civic Engagement. Greenstone Group seeks to foster a supportive environment for entrepreneurship by working with business, education and community stakeholders to create and carry out a broad vision for entrepreneurship in our region. An Advisory Council of economic development leaders provides guidance to Greenstone Groups strategies and services. A Thought Leadership Group of prominent entrepreneurs aims to define and advocate for a supportive entrepreneurial culture throughout the region.

The Greenstone Group initiative was launched in January 2008 and the first entrepreneur participants began coaching in April 2008. The Greenstone Group serves entrepreneurs residing in seven counties in northeast Minnesota (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis) and Douglas County in northwest Wisconsin.