Promote:
Find public support
The organizations that help companies export from and invest in Minnesota, grouped by what you need. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
1. Where to start
MTO, DEED and Minnesota SBDC: the guide’s first stops, of the 11 organizations below.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- Get advice
State trade promotion office
MTO
Minnesota Trade Office, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Counsels small and midsized companies on exporting, runs STEP grants and may lead trade missions and present trade shows.
Visit MTO (opens in a new tab)Source: Minnesota Statutes, 116J.966, trade promotion duties (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State economic development agency
DEED
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Runs the Minnesota Investment Fund and the Job Creation Fund and houses the Minnesota Trade Office.
Visit DEED (opens in a new tab)Source: Minnesota Laws 2025, 1st Special Session, chapter 6 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 14, 2025
- Get advice
Small business counseling network
Minnesota SBDC
Minnesota Small Business Development Centers
Provides consulting and technical services to entrepreneurs and small businesses through a statewide network of centers.
Visit Minnesota SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Minnesota Laws 2025, 1st Special Session, chapter 6 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 14, 2025
2. Export development and market information
3 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Get advice
State trade promotion office
MTO
Minnesota Trade Office, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Counsels small and midsized companies on exporting, runs STEP grants and may lead trade missions and present trade shows.
Visit MTO (opens in a new tab)Source: Minnesota Statutes, 116J.966, trade promotion duties (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Regional food export program
Food Export Midwest
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
Regional body
Provides buyer missions, trade missions, export education and marketing financial assistance to food and agricultural suppliers.
Visit Food Export Midwest (opens in a new tab)Source: Food Export Midwest, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Federal small business office
SBA Minnesota
U.S. Small Business Administration Minnesota District Office
Serves all 87 counties with help on funding programs, counseling and federal contracting certifications for small businesses.
Visit SBA Minnesota (opens in a new tab)Source: SBA, Minnesota District Office page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
3. Investment and business setup
2 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Get advice
State economic development agency
DEED
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Runs the Minnesota Investment Fund and the Job Creation Fund and houses the Minnesota Trade Office.
Visit DEED (opens in a new tab)Source: Minnesota Laws 2025, 1st Special Session, chapter 6 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 14, 2025
- Get advice
Small business counseling network
Minnesota SBDC
Minnesota Small Business Development Centers
Provides consulting and technical services to entrepreneurs and small businesses through a statewide network of centers.
Visit Minnesota SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Minnesota Laws 2025, 1st Special Session, chapter 6 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 14, 2025
4. Customs and tax
1 organization. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Minnesota Revenue
Minnesota Department of Revenue
Registers businesses for state taxes and lists sales and use tax and withholding tax among its business topics.
Visit Minnesota Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Minnesota Department of Revenue, home page and news, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
5. Standards and sector requirements
1 organization. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
MDA
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Issues certificates for foods shipped abroad and helps agricultural companies expand through business and trade development.
Visit MDA (opens in a new tab)Source: Minnesota Statutes, 28A.081, export certificate fees (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Chambers and industry associations
4 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Minnesota Chamber
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Publishes Grow Minnesota!'s guide to exporting and trade and issues certificates of origin digitally.
Visit Minnesota Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Minnesota Chamber, Grow Minnesota! guide to exporting and trade (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
Minneapolis Regional Chamber
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
Processes certificates of origin electronically for members and nonmembers, which some countries require a chamber to authenticate.
Visit Minneapolis Regional Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Minneapolis Regional Chamber, certificate of origin (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
Duluth Chamber
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce
Gives about 1,000 Duluth-area members networking, advocacy, marketing channels and education.
Visit Duluth Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, home page and news, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Health technology industry association
Medical Alley
Runs a health technology network that offers advocacy, mentoring and global outreach efforts for member companies.
Visit Medical Alley (opens in a new tab)Source: Medical Alley, home page and news, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Minnesota project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Free to start. No card required.
Already have an account? Sign in
Promote:Minnesota is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 3, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.