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CLIMB

Turn Your Business Idea Into Your Next Opportunity

CLIMB, which stands for Converting Layoffs into Minnesota Businesses, helps eligible Dislocated Worker participants explore entrepreneurship as a path to reemployment.

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Through CLIMB, participants may receive business training, consulting, and guidance to help develop, launch, or grow a viable business.

How CLIMB Can Help

CLIMB may help you:

  • Evaluate whether entrepreneurship is the right path for you

  • Develop or strengthen your business idea

  • Create a business plan

  • Access business training and consulting

  • Connect with small-business development resources

  • Track your progress toward launching or growing your business

  • Explore possible sources of business financing

 

CLIMB does not provide direct business grants or loans. However, approved business training and consulting may be covered through the Dislocated Worker Program.

Who Can Participate?

To participate in CLIMB, you must:

  • Be eligible for and enrolled in Minnesota’s state-funded Dislocated Worker Program

  • Have a viable business idea

  • Have at least the beginning of a business plan

  • Work with your career counselor to determine whether CLIMB aligns with your employment goals

  • Receive approval before beginning CLIMB-related training or consulting

 

Participation is not automatic. Your career counselor will review your business idea, goals, readiness, and proposed plan to determine whether CLIMB is an appropriate option.

Unemployment Benefits and CLIMB

Approved CLIMB participants may be able to continue receiving Minnesota Unemployment Insurance benefits while working full time to start or operate their business.

Participants must continue to report all earnings and hours worked. CLIMB participants may also be subject to different reporting and benefit-request procedures than other Unemployment Insurance applicants.

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Approval for CLIMB does not guarantee eligibility for Unemployment Insurance benefits. All benefit decisions are made by the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program.

Getting Started

Talk with your career counselor before enrolling in business training, consulting, or other entrepreneurship services.

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Your counselor can help you:

  • Review your eligibility

  • Discuss your business idea

  • Identify required documentation

  • Connect you with business development organizations

  • Determine whether proposed services may be approved through the Dislocated Worker Program

 

Any training or consulting must be approved in writing before it begins to be considered for program funding.

Helpful Business Resources

CLIMB participants may be connected with organizations such as:

  • Minnesota Small Business Development Centers

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration

  • Community-based entrepreneurship programs

  • Business planning and financial readiness resources

  • Other approved training and consulting providers

 

Availability, eligibility, and costs are determined by each provider and the requirements of the Dislocated Worker Program.

Interested in CLIMB?

Contact your career counselor to discuss your business idea and determine whether CLIMB may be a good fit for your employment plan. Learn more on MN CareerForce

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