Alex West Steinman, CEO and co-founder of Twin Cities coworking company The Coven, was recognized by Inc. Magazine this week as one of 100 women building America's most innovative and ambitious businesses.
Inc. spotlighted entrepreneurs in eight categories ranging from consumer goods to scientific breakthroughs. Steinman was highlighted in the "new girls' networks" section, which includes coworking spaces, clubs and other resources for businesswomen. These innovators were recognized alongside A-listers like Rihanna and Serena Williams.
Inc. decided to spotlight Steinman because "coworking members in the middle of the country need diversity and inclusion just as much as those on the coasts," the magazine wrote in a profile on the entrepreneur.
Steinman, an advertising professional by trade, teamed up with Bethany Iverson, Erinn Farrell and Liz Giel in 2017 to start a coworking space with the mission to "economically empower women by providing safe, accessible space for personal and professional transformation."
The founders set up a crowdfunding campaign to get their company off the ground and quickly raised more than $200,000 – beating its initial fundraising goal several times over.
The Coven opened its doors on International Women's Day in 2018 with 150 founding members. Just over a year later, The Coven is more than 500 members strong and has plans to expand into St. Paul and beyond. It wants to open more than 20 locations in the next five years, Inc. says.
Within the last year, Steinman also received one of 24 highly-coveted Bush Fellowships and was highlighted on the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's 40 Under 40 List.
