Small business training programs
Classes and opportunities offered
MnDOT offers free classes and opportunities to help certified small businesses. Develop the necessary business skills and expertise to win MnDOT work. Find single classes, series of classes, and hands-on training. Apply for one-to-one mentoring and network with contractors.
DBE Business Academy - classes in a series
The DBE Academy offers a variety of business development classes, all taught from the perspective of owning a small business. In this free series of classes, gain knowledge and skills from small business experts in your field. Learn how to make your business successful and how to win MnDOT work.
Build on the skills you’ve already developed. Choose from beginner, intermediate and advanced courses in each topic area. DBE Business Academy trainings are sequenced so that you can learn in depth.
Course topics
- Winning MnDOT work
- The art of bidding and estimating
- Becoming successful
- Making money
- Mastering QuickBooks
- Building a viable business
- Staying out of trouble
- Strategic visibility
DBE Business Academy will resume in Fall 2023.
Tip: If you don’t want to commit to a training series, consider taking individual classes through the Small Business Virtual Resource Center.
Small business classes - single classes
Small business classes can be taken independently of any other training. Learn to leverage your skills, increase your business capacity, and position yourself to compete for MnDOT contracts and projects.
If you prefer to take a set training series instead of single classes, look at the DBE Business Academy courses.
Eligibility
- Certified DBE/TGB/Vet-owned
Small business hands-on training
MnDOT Office of Civil Rights offers hands-on training to certified small businesses interested in pursuing opportunities on MnDOT contracts. Trainings will cover technical subject matter and allow firms to grow their expertise in highway heavy scopes of work.
Eligibility
- Certified DBEs
Mentor Protégé
Prime contractors and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms establish business relationships through mentoring.
MnDOT offers certified small businesses the opportunity to focus on:
- Bidding and estimating for specific MnDOT scopes of work
- Reading plans and matching scopes of work to DBE capacity
- One-to-one technical assistance
Expand your expertise, broaden your business knowledge, and strengthen your financial literacy. Develop the skills and abilities of a business owner in construction.
To request one-to-one technical assistance, contact Stacia Rice at IMO Consulting Group.
Networking
MnDOT provides meet-and-greets and networking events to support certified small business in establishing and strengthening industry relationships.
- Learn about specific contracts
- Connect with primes and pitch your business
- Connect with other contractors
For opportunities to:
- Increase your small business capacity in ADA construction and inspection
- Identify projects in maintenance, professional-technical, and small construction
- Contract for maintenance or small construction projects under $250,000
Visit MnDOT Advancing Equity