Forge North, an initiative of Greater MSP focused on boosting the state's startups, on Thursday launched its Enterprise Playbook to guide local corporations in partnering with startups.
The playbook outlines how large corporations can take the new Forge North Enterprise Pledge, which aims to accelerate startups while benefitting the companies themselves.
Pledged corporations are asked to take specific action in three or more categories throughout the year, including becoming the customer of a startup, partnering with accelerators and incubators and directly investing in startups.
Companies that have signed the pledge include Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America, CHS, Ecolab, General Mills and Stella Ventures.
The playbook was authored by Stephanie Rich, head of platform at Bread and Butter Ventures and a fellow at Forge North.
"We’ve designed the playbook to be the first version of a tool that can be used by our local corporations to drive internal conversations and external engagement and support of our startup ecosystem,” Rich said in a statement.
The playbook was also designed to make corporations work more intentionally with startups led by women, minorities and LGBTQ founders.
Forge North — which is made up of more than 100 entrepreneurs, investors and business executives — is making a broad effort to ensure 100% of the largest corporations in the state are engaged with startups.
“We’ve always valued a culture of innovation and engagement with the startup community," Amol Dixit, director of the venture studio at General Mills Inc., said in a statement. "The Twin Cities is home to a wealth of smart, passionate and diverse founders, and this playbook is a great step toward fostering ideas and brands that advance the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our hometown.
