Entrepreneur Fund

02/06/2026

Congratulations to Diahn and Clint on the purchase of Sunset Grill & Convenience Store in Three Lakes, WI.

EFund business developer Jeff Larson has been working with Diahn and Clint on this project since early September, and we’re grateful for the strong partnerships that helped bring it to a successful close.

A big thank you to our partners Oneida County Economic Development Corporation and Central Wisconsin Economic Development (CWED) for their collaboration and commitment to supporting local business growth.

We’re excited to see what’s ahead for this longtime community favorite and wish the new owners all the best in this next chapter.

Congratulations to Clint & Diahn, the new owners of Sunset Grill & Convenience Store in Three Lakes!

It was a long road to get here but with help from Jeff at Entrepreneur Fund , Tom from CWED, and Ty Jakubowski, our partnerships and a collaborative effort helped make this new chapter come true for them.

Congratulations to all involved 🥳 the Three Lakes community is happy to have you!

02/06/2026

Expanding? Exploring financing? Not sure what’s next?

We invite you to join us for a free webinar where you can learn more about what comes next in growing your business.

📆Wednesday, February 18 at 10 a.m.
🔗Register: efund.org/events/wi-webinar

This webinar is designed for Wisconsin business owners who are ready to grow, scale, or capitalize on new opportunities. You’ll learn about the funding, support, and guidance available through the Entrepreneur Fund to help you strengthen your operations and move into your next stage of growth.

We hope to see you there!

02/03/2026

Two Weeks Left to Apply!

The Entrepreneur Fund's Rural Field to Market Grant is offering up to $20,000 to support small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses in our 16‑county Minnesota region.

This one‑time funding opportunity is designed to strengthen local food systems, support business growth, and help more Minnesota‑grown food reach communities.

Deadline to apply: Monday, February 16 by 5 p.m. CST . Apply and learn more at efund.org/marketgrant

If you’re a producer, processor, aggregator, or distributor with 3+ years in business, this could be a great fit.

01/30/2026

🚨NEW DATES🚨

We rescheduled our Business Mastermind in St. Cloud. The Central Cohort now kicks off on Tuesday, March 18—adjusted to better fit the busy schedules of entrepreneurs.

This six-month program is designed for business owners ready to overcome growth hurdles, embrace new technologies, and implement strategies that create measurable momentum.

Dates: March 17 - August 18 (third Tuesday of each month)
Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Location: Davidson Opera House, 113 5th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301
Cost: $500 total

Apply Today: https://www.efund.org/events/business-mastermind-central
Application deadline: February 27, 2026

If you’re committed to making 2026 your breakthrough year, this is your chance!

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01/28/2026

One week from today!

On February 4th, we’ll be attending a networking event hosted by the Washburn County Economic Development Corporation (WCEDC) for entrepreneurs and businesses across Washburn County.

This is a great opportunity to connect with local business owners, share ideas, and grow your network.

RSVP:
📞 715-645-0768
📧 [email protected]

Hope to see you at Round Man Brewing Co. in Spooner!

WCEDC is holding a networking event for entrepreneurs and businesses in Washburn County on February 4, 2026. If you are able to attend, please RSVP at 715-645-0768, or [email protected]. We look forward to getting together.

01/28/2026

2025 was a year of meaningful growth across our region.

From Ely, MN, to Marinette, WI, and all the communities in between, entrepreneurs spent the last year building, expanding, and investing in their businesses and their communities—and we were proud to partner with them.

In 2025, our team:
🔹Supported 1,854 entrepreneurs through accessible financing + expert advising
🔹Approved 131 loans totaling $17.3 million
🔹Nearly doubled the 2024 average loan size, reflecting bolder, growth‑focused projects

These numbers represent more than capital; they reflect the innovation and resilience driving our region’s economic future.

🔗Read the full 2025 Impact Snapshot: https://www.efund.org/blog/2025-impact-snapshot

01/26/2026

We’re excited to be at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development this week.

We’ll be connecting with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across Wisconsin—and we hope to see you there!

Stop by our booth to say hello to business loan officer Tom Clark and learn how we’re helping small businesses grow in northern Wisconsin.

See you at the conference!

Learn more and register here: https://weda.member365.com/public/event/details/87bdf3c4116ac7684b07185204cef24490039d45/1

01/26/2026

Thank you to Sheila McCoy and the Morrison County Record for helping share the story of our Rural Field to Market Grant.

Central Minnesota’s deep agricultural roots continue to shape our communities, and we’re committed to strengthening the local food supply chain that supports them.

Our Rural Field to Market grant program is built to help small and mid‑size Minnesota businesses grow revenue, open new markets, and boost local sourcing across the entire food system.

Eligible businesses can apply for grants of up to $20,000. Applications are open through February 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. CST. Learn more and apply at efund.org/marketgrant.

Read the full article here: https://www.hometownsource.com/morrison_county_record/news/local/new-grant-opportunity-to-help-small-to-mid-size-business-generate-more-revenue/article_5e4310cb-ee16-4cf3-ae8b-f38e1afffb6d.html

The Entrepreneur Fund is now offering a Rural Field to Market Grant, a competitive grant, to directly support farm and food business in Minnesota. Working with a variety of business

01/24/2026

We’re looking forward to attending the Women in Agriculture Network Conference hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension on February 3 in Waite Park, MN.

This event brings together women leaders, producers, entrepreneurs, and advocates who are shaping the future of agriculture across our region, and we’re proud to contribute to that conversation.

At the conference, we’ll share information about our lending resources that help rural entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. We’ll also highlight our Rural Field to Market Grant - efund.org/marketgrant - which supports projects that strengthen local food systems and expand capacity for growers and producers in Central and Northeast Minnesota.

We’re also looking forward to hearing directly from women in agriculture whose leadership and innovation drive the resilience and vitality of our communities. Their insights guide how we continue to expand our tools, capital, and advising to meet evolving needs.

If you’re attending, we invite you to stop by our booth—we’d welcome the opportunity to connect.

Learn more about the conference and register: https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/womeninagriculture2026/home

01/23/2026

After seven and a half years at EFund, Mike Korte is retiring, and it’s hard to capture the depth of his contribution to the businesses and people of Northeast Minnesota—especially those in his home of Itasca County.

From day one, Mike showed up with dedication, heart, and a genuine belief in our mission and in what local entrepreneurs can accomplish.

Through strategic lending and countless hours of advising support, Mike helped numerous businesses start, grow, and expand. He became a trusted partner to his clients, someone they could rely on as they navigated big visions, tough decisions, and everything in between.

Internally, Mike made just as much of an impact. He’s been a mentor to our team, helping staff think more critically, structure stronger loan packages, and approach due diligence with care. His patience, experience, and willingness to teach helped shape the team we are today.

Recently, Mike shared a sentiment that captures his legacy here:
“We are changing lives out there. We are helping people live their dreams. We are a TEAM—Together Everyone Achieves More. That’s what we do, and I’m proud of the work we’ve all done.”

Mike has been a steady and trusted presence at EFund, committed to his clients, supportive of his colleagues, and deeply invested in the communities we serve. As he steps into retirement, we’re grateful for every relationship he built, every business he strengthened, and every lesson he leaves with us.

Please join us in wishing Mike well on his next chapter. We hope it’s full of the things he enjoys most and maybe a few fish in the live well, too.

01/23/2026

Turn ideas into action. Build momentum. Grow your business culture with confidence.

Apply today for our Business Mastermind: Growing Culture with Intention in Duluth, MN.

Join an interactive six-month mastermind designed for entrepreneurs and founders who are building (or preparing to build) teams and want to lead with intention.

Each session blends peer collaboration, guided discussion, and practical tools to help you strengthen leadership skills, clarify mission and values, and build a healthy, sustainable business culture that supports long-term growth.

The Duluth cohort begins March 5 and meets monthly through July 30 at the Entrepreneur Fund’s Duluth office.

Spots are limited—apply by February 13, 2026.
https://www.tfaforms.com/5208396

01/21/2026

Thank you, Renee Passal and WDIO, for visiting with us and learning more about our Rural Field to Market Grant.

Applications are open now through February 16. Apply and learn more at efund.org/marketgrant

The program is designed to help small and mid-size food and farm businesses in Minnesota increase revenue, create new market opportunities, and expand local sourcing across the food supply chain.

Grants are up to $20,000 per business, with a total of $450,000 available.

“This grant is an intentional investment in the growth and resilience of our regional food system,” said Shawn Wellnitz, CEO and President of the Entrepreneur Fund. “By supporting local producers and food entrepreneurs, we’re ensuring they have the resources they need to expand, innovate and create stronger market connections."

Watch the full story here: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/450000-in-grants-up-for-grabs-for-small-farmers-and-food-retailers/

A new grant program will support farmers and food retailers.