We are very excited at Bell Bank to present The Get Down To Business Accelerator, a “shark tank” style event in collaboration with The Get Down Coffee Co. and Neighborhood Development Center!

Scheduled for Monday, July 18, the Get Down to Business Accelerator will award mentoring, resources and up to $100,000 in grants to fuel local entrepreneurs. Leaders from Neighborhood Development Center and The Get Down Coffee Co. will host the event during the 3M Open PGA tour event in Blaine, Minn., with the goal of identifying and investing in three entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their business via access to social and financial capital. Bell Bank and the 3M Open Fund are funding the program with Neighborhood Development Center, which will distribute up to $100,000 in grants awarded.

Ten participants, selected from Get Down to Business applicants, will be invited to attend the Accelerator networking event. Three finalists, chosen from among those participants, will receive a formal business video, additional business plan feedback and professional business coaching, and compete for up to $100,000 in shared grants by pitching their business before a panel of business leaders and a live audience. Those finalists will also be matched with a mentor from the community to guide their business growth, and will be invited to additional networking and mentorship opportunities after the Accelerator event.

Applicants for the Get Down to Business Accelerator must reside or operate their business in Hennepin or Ramsey counties.