The ConnectUP! Institute Year End Campaign

We know that people invest in people they know, and that we are the sum of our networks. With only 1.2% of BIPOC entrepreneurs receiving venture capital funding, there is an obvious gap in access to money and resources that are essential in growing any business. 

If you’re like us, you know that these systemic injustices that limit access to capital need to be addressed. The ConnectUP! Institute is a social finance innovation and enterprise development studio grounded in economic justice and powering equitable economies that work for all. 

We prepare BIPOC entrepreneurs to scale and create culturally-informed pathways that build authentic, values-aligned relationships that support founders in growing their businesses. 

We also provide opportunities for collaboration across the ecosystem, hands-on support, action-driven workshops and education, and investor and ecosystem development. 

All of ConnectUP!’s work is led by Black women. Our programming prioritizes women of color and is informed by the lived experiences of Black women - but all are welcome. We believe when we work for the most marginalized, we do better for all. This has been our secret to success.

You have the power to help us reach our goal of $150,000 to support the entrepreneurs you know and love in the community. Here’s the impact that your donation will have:

$250 will provide a founder with two hours of executive coaching.

$500 will provide a founder with five hours of mindset coaching.

$1,000 will allow a founder to implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

$2,500 will cover the cost of travel and registration to key industry trade shows.

$5,000 will support five founders in our Garage StartUP! program, which provides micro-grants to MN BIPOC businesses.

$7,500 will support 3 months of CEO circles for founders to meet, network, and solve business challenges with industry-adjacent founders and subject matter experts.

$10,000 will enable a founder to purchase equipment for scaling or support our general operations to grow our innovative programs supporting Black and Brown founders.