Recent content from Neal St. Anthony
Drake's Organic Spirits mix includes venture capital
A North Dakota farm boy traded commodities and oil pipes before jumping into the organic foods movement.
Minnesota firms pull in $500 million of venture capital in first half of year
But it will be tough to beat the 2020 total because Minnesota companies raised so much capital in the second half of last year.
Downtown's historic Butler Square completes a yearlong update
The century-old warehouse was first restored in 1974, beginning the overhaul of the city's old factories and warehouses into offices.
Pasquale Presa, the immigrant pizza king of Rochester, proves pandemic-proof
Presa quit a $120,000 corporate chef job to launch a pizzeria that now has a growing frozen line.
St. Anthony: Solar power is glowing in Minnesota
Solar is still a small part of the state's renewable energy mix, but it is growing quickly.
Bloomington software firm 75F closes venture capital round, attracts Siemens as investor
Siemens is the first strategic investor in the Bloomington-based maker of software for controlling building temperatures.
Wells Fargo makes $12 million in grants to Twin Cities community lenders
The funding is part of an initial payout of $420 million in grants to community finance providers by the nation's third-largest bank.
Erik's Bikes pedals for records from expanded, solar-powered HQ
Like many bike retailers, 2020 was a spectacular year for Erik's Bikes, which has grown to 32 stores in seven states.
How Russ Nelson, shaper of downtown skylines, found purpose after wife's death
Nancy Nelson spent her life devoted to social service, and her husband says he still follows her lead.
St. Anthony: Rebuilding the 'downtown' of Longfellow is going to be a long haul
The Minnesota Legislature watered down a $150 million aid package that was initially designed to help businesses in the riot-damaged sections of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
St. Anthony: Legislature fell short on help for Minnesota's most vulnerable preschool kids
But it did right for the providers of home health services, along with workers and the families who count on them.
St. Paul app maker BetterYou raises $2.25 million
It's the second infusion of capital for the firm, which created an app that encourages users to build healthy habits.
Midwest clean-energy business accelerator to launch in fall
The focus of Grid Catalyst will be on cold-climate technologies.
Minneapolis-based Meda expanding along with its clients
The 50-year-old agency will quadruple its loan portfolio as it backs projects such as the Resolute on W. Broadway.
Twin Cities hotel 'manager of the year' transcends his troubled past
Michael Porter earns respect and national recognition from the hotel industry.
St. Anthony: Twin Cities businesses unite in drive to hire 1,000 apprentices, chiefly in tech
Two-thirds of the apprentices will be people of color who will complete at least a two-year degree while building a career.
Mossier helps Minnesota companies take more steps for LGBTQ inclusion
Nick Alm, founder of the Twin Cities consulting firm, said they were inspired by another visionary Minnesota entrepreneur.
Minnesota CDFIs get $38 million in federal pandemic relief funding
The government distributed more than $1 billion in recent days to community development organizations that provide capital to ventures that can't get financing in other channels.
Amid shortage of drivers, owner of Minn. school bus company takes on routes himself
The shortage of school bus drivers began before the pandemic, but it got worse.
Minnesota consumers, businesses deal with fast-rising prices
Some believe the fast-rising prices are temporary. Others worry the situation could spiral into something longer lasting.
St. Anthony: How a doctor and friends built Minnesota's most valuable cannabis company
Goodness Growth Holdings, known as Vireo Health until last week, got started when a doctor observed that marijuana was better for treating pain than opioids.
Minnesota cannabis firm expands to research psychedelic medicines
Vireo Health is taking on a new name, Goodness Growth Holdings, as it branches out with a biosciences research subsidiary.
Ag analytics firm Sentera raises $25 million, will move to St. Paul
The latest infusion is the biggest for the company, which is changing the way farmers analyze their fields and crops.
St. Anthony: Commerce, opportunity, hope must trump violence on North Side
Amid a surge in violence, developers and business leaders in north Minneapolis pour energy and money into economic expansion.
Aeon, St. Olaf Catholic Church plan largest affordable housing in downtown Mpls.
A 20-story apartment building is coming along just as Aeon's longtime leader, Alan Arthur, gets ready to retire.
St. Anthony: How a lawyer built a business helping seniors take their dream trips
A couple of years ago, Carol Giuliani was helping an elderly fellow from Iowa dress for a wedding at a resort on a lake in…
'Small waves of tenants' return to downtown Mpls. as Convention Center reopens
Some new businesses are also opening in downtown Minneapolis as entrepreneurs and civic leaders monitor the return to office work.
Pillsbury United Communities launches north Minneapolis rebuilding fund
A new fund aims to raise at least $20 million to redevelop parts of north Minneapolis damaged by violence after the death of George Floyd. And it's already buying properties to redevelop.
Minnesota firm found employee ownership helped it get through 2020 downturn
MetroConnections spun "on a dime" to take events and conferences virtual.
At Jamf, one of Minnesota's newest public companies, the stock market has been a roller coaster
Jamf Holding, one of two Minnesota companies to go public in an IPO last year, recently delivered another quarter of 35%-plus growth in recurring revenue.…
Minneapolis Foundation raising $20 million for riot-hurt small businesses
The money is chiefly coming from the charitable arms of large companies in the Twin Cities region.
Developer buys burned-out site at Chicago and Lake for redevelopment
Neighborhood Development Center paid about $1.6 million for the site for a commercial and residential project.
Digital-first marketer Ovative relies on internal innovation
Dale Nitschke's Ovative Group, the decade-old digital-first marketer, didn't pause for the pandemic.Ovative's revenue grew 42% last year to $36 million and it's up 50%…
Rosenthal Interiors moves flagship to Minnetonka from downtown Minneapolis
Sibling owners will keep North Loop location open on a limited-hours basis, with closeouts and specials.
NetSPI, a Minneapolis cybersecurity firm, raises $90 million from new investors
It's the second large round of outside investment raised by NetSPI, a provider of cybersecurity services and tests for businesses and institutions.
Jamf, Minneapolis-based provider of Apple systems, makes a $400 million deal
Its purchase of San Francisco-based Wandera, a provider of zero-trust data security technology, is the biggest ever for Jamf.
Backing for preschool scholarships grows at Minnesota Legislature
Businesses support bipartisan efforts to help low-income kids.
A turnaround with help from cookie lovers, food innovator
When things hit a low point for Junita's Jar last summer, a different conversation — about social justice after Floyd's death — started to have an effect on the business.
Twin Cities farmers markets will bloom again in 2021
There are about 400 small farmers within 90 minutes of the Twin Cities providing food directly to consumer buying groups, retailers and farmers markets.
Owners of Minneapolis solar flashlight maker turn down chance to sell on 'Shark Tank'
Maker of solar-powered batteries got a spree of orders after appearing on show last Friday.
Preceptis moves forward with device that simplifies ear-tube procedures
Joe Delgado, chief financial officer of Preceptis Medical, had a personal reason for leaving a good job at UnitedHealth Group a few years ago.His daughter,…
St. Anthony: LISC Twin Cities and partners deliver first of two riot-recovery funds
Private insurance covered less than half of the $550 million in property damage from the May riots.
Wells Fargo seems to be getting its Minnesota mojo back
Bank investing in businesses, nonprofits in the home of its roots.
Zero-carbon electricity now provides most power in Minnesota
Clean energy grew in Minnesota last year despite the pandemic and recession.
Former NFL player accuses Wayzata financial adviser of financial misdeeds
Regulators monitor broker after industry settlement and South Carolina lawsuit.
Housing, new bank proposed at Wells Fargo site at Nicollet and Lake
Project for Pride in Living to develop building, hire "diverse workforce."
St. Anthony: St. Vincent de Paul met surging demand from thousands in 2020
St. Vincent's, rooted in a number of Twin Cities Catholic parishes, proves that discarded merchandise and dated food can still fill a need.
St. Anthony: How a young female owner's 'vulnerability' helped heating company through COVID-19
Claire Ferrara went to St. Catherine's and to Dunwoody, then faced the leadership test of a lifetime just a year into taking control of the family business, Standard Heating and Cooling.
A plan to invest more in America from two Twin Cities investors
Shannon O'Leary, chief investment officer of the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation, was thinking about the vulnerability of supply lines for American companies before COVID-19…
St. Anthony: After couple opened smoothie shop, downtown emptied out but they stayed
They keep it open daily in downtown Mpls. after virus ruined smooth opening.
Jim Luger, businessman and social justice seeker, dies at 90
Businessman Jim Luger protested the Vietnam War and worked for civil rights for decades.He also was an American warrior.In 1950, Luger, a young athlete from…
2 downtown Minneapolis restaurateurs get creative to survive
Fhima's got a break on rent and a new focus, while Afro Deli's owner put his team to work helping charities.
St. Anthony: Once-wilting Gevo shuttered its Minnesota operation, but sprouts new life
The collapse of Gevo has been predicted several times but the maker of renewable fuels has survived. In the past few weeks, its shares have been on a wild ride.
Minnesota's Claros commercializes 'green-chemistry' pollution fixes
A University of Minnesota spinoff is commercializing "green chemistry" solutions that combat coronaviruses as well as neutralize mercury and other industrial-born pollution"We solve environmental problems…
Thoma Bravo will buy Minneapolis-based Calabrio from KKR
The Minneapolis software firm's value is estimated to exceed $1 billion.
Fight for fair provision of health services in Minnesota isn't over
State health officials worked last week to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates of Minnesotans of color, amid the disclosure that they are being inoculated at
One idled Minnesota hotel-industry veteran opted for other work
Baheru Haile, an accomplished guy who moved to Minnesota from Ethiopia in 1978, likes to work.Haile, the son of a subsistence farmer, first earned a…
Payday lenders resist pressure to cut rates from around Minnesota
Interest and fees can combine to create effective rates above 200%.
Meda gets $1 million from Cummins to help Black-owned businesses in region
The contribution is one of several that Cummins made to Community Development Financial Institutions across the country.
Businesses damaged in riots after death of George Floyd still fighting for assistance
Ahmed Muhumud, co-owner of Midtown Eye Care, sought refuge for the business last fall in the Midtown Global Market after it was burned down in…
Minnesota home-health workers, PCA industry could use a financial boost
Mesuda Hudug, a veteran home-health aide and licensed nursing assistant, is pleased with the recently negotiated contract between the Minnesota Department of Human Services and…
MDI, a pioneer in workforce inclusion, seeks further expansion
One morning last week, Steve Reinardy, a nine-year employee of Minnesota Diversified Industries in northeast Minneapolis, sanitized surfaces to guard against the coronavirus."I clean everything…
Eden Prairie's Arctic Wolf is employee-focused — and growing
Arctic Wolf, a cybersecurity firm that moved its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Eden Prairie last year, is growing fast.
Minnesota lawmakers consider matching tax forgiveness on pandemic aid
It took a fight between Congress and the Treasury Department for the pandemic aid to become tax-free on the federal level. State legislators are thinking about whether to do the same thing.
SciTech interns boost future of Minnesota economy
Khalique Rogers and Tatem Rios are the embodiment of the Minnesota SciTech internship program that's expanding the essential pool of talented young interns and employees…
How North Dakota-based Alerus Financial built a sizable Minnesota franchise
A North Dakota-based financial-services firm, fresh off a 2020 initial public offering of stock and record earnings, is getting most of its growth from the…
Growth accelerates for Twin Cities cybersecurity businesses
Pandemic presents new opportunities as clients depend on e-commerce.
Minnesota's tax credit for angel investors works, should become routine
Gov. Tim Walz has proposed $7 million for the on-and-off Minnesota Angel Tax Credit next fiscal year.It should go back to $10 million with a…
Amid pandemic and legal dispute, Bremer Bank's finances held up solidly
Net profit slipped just a little but revenue rose sharply in 'challenging environment.'
How some bets on Minnesota companies paid off for investor Vista Equity
Some of the biggest wins for a Texas investment fund recently have been with Minnesota tech companies.
Twin Cities 'technologist' sees expanding future for young minorities in IT
Steve Buchanan caught a break as a teenager 20-plus years ago when a relative referred him to someone who worked for a small computer-consulting firm.The…
Venture capitalists invested a record $1.9B in state in 2020
Health insurers, food farms drew some of the biggest investments in state history.
Dileep Rao, former venture capitalist, says VCs aren't the answer for all startups
Dileep Rao, a former venture capitalist, isn't celebrating the record $1.86 billion in venture money that flowed to Minnesota businesses last year.He's also not enamored…
Sam Riley, security chief at PPL in Minneapolis and friend to many, dies at 63
Sam Riley was an engaging, lineman-size man who ran a security business and protected people in Twin Cities inner-city neighborhoods for 35 years.Riley, 63, died…
