Cohort 8 Is Off and Running at FINNOVATION!

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Meet Fellows putting lessons into practice, explore new partnerships, and celebrate an alumni milestone.

Cohort 8 Is Off and Running at FINNOVATION! In these early weeks, our Fellows have already covered a lot of ground. They’ve learned to recognize and manage their saboteurs, build their dream team of advisors, draft an impact business model canvas, and articulate their vision, mission, and values. They’re also digging deeper into the problems they want to solve. That means examining what’s happening, who’s affected, and what they need to understand before moving toward a solution. Each Fellow is aligned to primary and secondary Sustainable Development Goals, connecting their work to a global framework. It’s a reminder that a venture rooted in a local problem can contribute to something much bigger than its founder. Meet the Cohort Practicing the Courage to Fail On September 19, Pete K. Wong of Courage in Chaos led our Fellows through an energizing session on the courage to fail. With boxing and martial arts movements woven into the experience, this session got Fellows out of their chairs and into the work of practicing courage. Building a venture involves uncertainty; learning to move through it is part of becoming a founder. We’re looking forward to welcoming Pete back to explore the importance of play in our day. Yes, play belongs on the calendar, too. Explore Pete’s Workshops FINNOVATION Founders’ Stories When the Plan Shakes, What Becomes Possible? After 30 years as an art teacher, Fellow Shannon Steven stepped away from the familiar structure of the classroom to build Wonder Wander. That freedom brought a question: How do you carry your purpose forward when the structure around it changes? Inspired by artist Phil Hansen’s “Embrace the Shake,” Shannon explores how constraints can open creative possibilities and how changing direction can clarify the work you’re meant to do. Putting Lessons Into Practice, Even When It’s Scary   Fellow Laquita Love-Limo took her FINNOVATION learning to the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference in Duluth. There, she faced her fear of public speaking, navigated unexpected logistics, and led an exercise that asked participants to examine how easily power can be taken from people with lived experience. As she develops Rooted in Care Network, Laquita’s reflection shows how lessons practiced in the Fellowship can shape action beyond the room. New Partnerships, More Support for Founders We’re proud to announce two new partnerships that expand the expertise available to our community. Mitchell Hamline School of Law will bring pro bono legal services. Pacific Community Ventures will provide advisory services. Access to knowledgeable people matters when founders are navigating unfamiliar decisions. These partnerships add practical support as our entrepreneurs develop their ventures and plan their next steps. Alumni in Action: Congratulations, Alysha Price! FINNOVATION alum Alysha Price, founder and CEO of The Price Dynamic, has been selected for the newest cohort of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business program. We love seeing our alumni continue to pursue opportunities to learn and grow. Congratulations, Alysha! We’re cheering you on. There’s More to Explore on Our Website! Our expanded website offers a fuller look at FINNOVATION Institute and the community behind it. Meet the people who help make this work possible, learn about our partnerships, and explore coverage featuring current and former Fellows. You can also discover our organization’s history and how founder Jacquie Berglund’s vision helped bring it all together. Whether you’re new to FINNOVATION or have been with us for years, there’s more of our story to discover. Explore Our Website Help More Founders Build What Our Communities Need Social entrepreneurship takes curiosity, courage, practical support, and a community willing to invest in the people doing the work. Your donation helps FINNOVATION Institute support founders working to improve our communities and the world. Thank you for learning with us, celebrating our entrepreneurs, and helping make their next steps possible. Support Social Entrepreneurs The FINNOVATION Fellowship program is made possible through generous support from the Bush Foundation, whose mission is to invest in great ideas and the people who power them. Copyright © 2026 FINNOVATION Institute, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.